According to a Pew Research Center study in 2012, approximately 84% of the global population is considered theistic, meaning they are affiliated with a religion and believe in a higher power; this is based on data from a comprehensive study across over 230 countries and territories.
- The remaining 16% are called atheists. To some degree, atheism is forced on the population by dictatorial governments.
- 157 of 232 countries have Christian majorities.
- While 28% of U.S. adults claim no affiliation with organized religion, this number jumps to 43% for those under the age of 30. The younger generation is less inclined to be theistic.
- Seven in ten believed in Heaven, the same percentage as being spiritual. In most ways, they are closely related, anyway.
While I don't consider myself to be atheistic, I find it difficult to accept the notion of an omnipresent God who created everything, and lives in Heaven. I'm more inclined to accept the concept of the Big Bang and evolution of life to what we are today. Then again, maybe this is the same as atheism.
When I wrote SIMPLE SOLUTIONS for Humanity, I knew so little about religion that I purchased and read The Complete Idiot's Guide to The World's Religions and Religion for Dummies. The second one is slightly cheaper.
On this basis, what justification and authority do I have for even attempting to address the subject of Heaven? I don't have any, except that over the past two decades I have educated myself on the subject, and now more and more am amazed that so many throughout the world have something called faith to accept the notion of God, Heaven and the Afterlife. To some degree I question the morality of any religion to promise something, like Heaven, with no proof. This is why faith is so crucial in religion.
Thus, there is a stalemate. Religion, which has wide belief, but no validation, versus me, who knows very little about the subject, but a sense that after death there can only be eternal nothingness for everyone. This is a frightening thought, and I'm more and more trying to convince myself that death will instead bring ultimate peace, which logically is the same thing, with a psychological twist.
- The Buddhist term, samsara, or illusionary reality, could well explain it all.
- Comes from Hinduism, where there is no beginning, nor any ending.
- But there are rebirths in this concept, so maybe not.
- Perhaps the Buddhist idea of impermanence might be more applicable, for here, all things disappear once they have originated. Yet, this is a double-edged sword, allowing for reincarnation. So, no.
- Thus, what is Heaven? I'll return to illusionary reality. Watch this video on the Illusion of Reality.
- I've long felt that those who have faith in something like Heaven have a psychological advantage in life over me. They can enjoy the benefits of thinking about Heaven, and after they die, if there is no Heaven, they won't know that they have deluded themselves.
While I might live in fear of death, in the meantime, as no one is really observing me from Heaven, I can do what I want without any worry about having to face them in Heaven. I am not controlled by those in Heaven. I have an advantage in life over those who believe in Heaven, who need to be careful about everything they do.
- Maybe the question to what is Heaven is meaningless anyway, for there is no way we will ever answer this question with finality while still alive.
- Best to live a joyful and happy life, while ignoring the reality of death.
- There are some religions that prevent you from gaining the ultimate reward if you don't believe, but this notion is fuzzy and potentially redeemable, so who knows, maybe you'll someday see me in Heaven, for I think I'm a good person.
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