![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Clemence on September 8, 2006, at 15:38:35
Hi...can anyone provide me with any answers? It's just i am a teenager whose Grandmother died a while back...and I have a question. Unfortunately due to circumstances(it is too difficult to explain) I ended up being out of school for my last 3 and a half years in high school which should have been spend in school. I failed all my GCSE exams as a consequense,....therefore I also missed Religious Education so don't really know taht much about religion.
However I need help on the following...it's just I am trying to find out.....What does Christianity/The Bible say that Heaven is like? What happens up there exactly?are there any descriptions??? what does Heaven look like?
Also........I need help with the following:
I missed practically all of my secondary education... therefore I also missed Religious Education? I don't understand/get where my Grandma went? Do you know how i can learn about Religion now? Do they run R.E GCSE classes at college?
Also this might seem an obvious question (but just needed to check) but do they give a good all-round general education in R.E in school(sorry if this seems a stupid question....only I was just interested to know how much religious educations I'd missed)CAN ANYONE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS??
Posted by Dinah on September 8, 2006, at 16:24:20
In reply to What is Heaven like?What does it look like?, posted by Clemence on September 8, 2006, at 15:38:35
When I tried to explain this to my son, I told him what different people believed. And there are so many things that different people believe, even within the Christian Church.
I also told him that my only thought on life after death is that *whatever* happens will be just what should happen. I don't know what it is, and likely won't until I die. But I trust God that whatever comes after we leave this life will be just as it should be.
A lot of people see entering heaven as going towards the light where you are met by those loved ones who have gone before you.
Some people believe in a literal place called Heaven, a very pleasant place, where there is no need or want, no fighting, no pain, where everything is beautiful and we are reunited with our earthly bodies at a stage of life where being reunited with our bodies would be a good thing.
Some people believe in a less literal "place" and less literal pleasures, where our spirits or life forces achieve heaven through closeness with God, but remain distinct. You are the you you are now, but without an earthly body. Your thoughts and personality remain.
Some people believe that heaven is the return of our life energy to the great life energy that is everyone, and that this communion is heaven.
And there are many many thoughts in between.
What thoughts would give you comfort? What did your grandmother think about heaven?
There is no right or wrong answer, overall, at least as far as I can see (if I can, I'll come back after death and tell someone). Although individual people often have strong beliefs about what's true or not true on the topic.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Posted by finelinebob on September 9, 2006, at 1:22:07
In reply to What is Heaven like?What does it look like?, posted by Clemence on September 8, 2006, at 15:38:35
> CAN ANYONE PROVIDE ME WITH ANY ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS??
Ultimately, the one who will provide you with those answers is you.
Dinah covered the big picture. There's no agreement in Christianity on what Heaven is or what it looks like or when you'll go there or when it will come here.
Any university affiliated with a religion will probably have theology classes, but they may not be what you are looking for. If you want religious education, then talk to a pastor at your church. Most churches run some sort of religious education program for adults, and it's nothing to be shy or embarassed about. My brother, who was married in a Catholic ceremony and was raising his kids "in the Church" had never been baptized himself, never done any of those things Catholic children do as they progress through their religious education. So, he decided to stop being a hypocrite (since he made his kids do it) and went through the same classes as an adult. I'll be taking my meeting's "Quakerism 101" class this fall myself, and I'm 44. I know someone who, as an adult, converted to each of the three branches of Judaism.
So if it's a religious education you want, turn to the church you go to. If you don't attend church right now, is there one that your family has gone to? Or, go to Beliefnet.com and try out their Belief-o-Matic -- it's a personality quiz that tries to match your beliefs with what religion might be best suited for you. Because there can be a difference there between what you are taught and what you believe.
One last thought -- I can see some people thinking that Dinah's comment about "what brings you comfort?" as simple or shallow, but it's quite the opposite. Look inside, FEEL inside, for what brings you comfort when you think about these things. You don't need a religious education to have faith or to know what's right, if you look for it with honesty and humility and love.
Be well,
flb
Posted by Lou Pilder on September 10, 2006, at 20:37:36
In reply to What is Heaven like?What does it look like?, posted by Clemence on September 8, 2006, at 15:38:35
Clemence,
You wrote,[...what happens...].
I could offer you what I have been revealed from my perspective. I like to email in regards to questions like yours, so if you would like to email about this,here is my email address.
Lou
lpilder_1188@fuse.net
Posted by rayww on September 11, 2006, at 22:58:17
In reply to What is Heaven like?What does it look like?, posted by Clemence on September 8, 2006, at 15:38:35
Home can be heaven on earth. We are here to create our own version of heaven and who knows but what that which we create for ourselves may follow us? Well, just in case I think I'll try a little harder. Have you ever had a moment in your life that seemed like/felt like heaven? Maybe some people haven't but I think plenty have, and that's my idea of what I mean.
Posted by Declan on September 12, 2006, at 17:51:53
In reply to Re: What is Heaven like?What does it look like? » Clemence, posted by rayww on September 11, 2006, at 22:58:17
This is about a bar called Heaven, but it's also an account of something like heaven from an autistic point of view. At any rate it's very good.
Heaven
----------Everyone is trying to get to the bar.
The name of the bar, the bar is called Heaven.
The band in Heaven plays my favorite song.
They play it once again, they play it all night long.Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.
Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.There is a party, everyone is there.
Everyone will leave at exactly the same time.
Its hard to imagine that nothing at all
could be so exciting, and so much fun.Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.
Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.When this kiss is over it will start again.
It will not be any different, it will be exactly
the same.
It's hard to imagine that nothing at all
could be so exciting, could be so much fun.Heaven is a place where nothing every happens.
Heaven is a place where nothing every happens.
Posted by James K on September 13, 2006, at 1:43:57
In reply to Re: What is Heaven like?What does it look like?, posted by Declan on September 12, 2006, at 17:51:53
I once described heaven as the backseat of a moving car with the radio loud and my friends with me and I'm having a good time.
Clemence, I believe God isn't going to abandon us. It will be worth it.
James K
Posted by finelinebob on September 13, 2006, at 20:40:41
In reply to I'm wide awake, memories » Declan, posted by James K on September 13, 2006, at 1:43:57
Melissa Etheridge also has a excellent song called All the Way to Heaven ... a bit brighter tho quite down to earth than Declan's song.
Look, Clemence, it's this simple:
In life, you've got two things to worry about:
Whether you're health or whether you're sick.If you're healthy, you've got nothing to worry about.
If you're sick, you've got two things to worry about:
Whether you get better, or whether you die.If you get better, you've got nothing to worry about.
If you die, you've got two things to worry about:
Whether you go to Heaven, or whether you go to Hell.If you go to Heaven, you have nothing to worry about.
But if you go to Hell, you've have so much time partying
with your friends you won't have TIME to worry...... so why worry?
(ah, the wisdom of dormroom posters....)
Posted by rayww on September 15, 2006, at 23:28:32
In reply to Re: I'm wide awake, memories, posted by finelinebob on September 13, 2006, at 20:40:41
It appears that although it was a good question, no one really has an idea what heaven will be like. Why do you suppose something of such importance would be kept such a mystery to the people who bank on it? We come to earth "trailing clouds of glory", but have forgotten all that happened before, so we guess, we speculate, we invent what it might have been, or what it will be like. And then, before we have it figured out, we're there. Why is this existance is so short, for some extremely so? If there could be a common denominator to our shared existance what might it be?
EVERYONE SHOULD: learn how to love; find joy in existance; be kind to others. These three things can be accomplished by people no matter how much or how little they have, and no matter what their circumstances in life are.
Circumstances are important. It is through them that we meet people. From an eternal perspective, how we treat one another and the relationships we form is important. What we learn is eternal too, so we should spend more time learning what is useful, than what is not.
WHAT IS USEFUL? Anything that can be used to build appropriate relationships. WHAT IS NOT USEFUL? pornography
learning how to blow people up etc.So, even though none of us has a clue what heaven is like nor should we at this point, we can prepare as though we knew, by trying to stay on the road that leads us there. That's called FAITH. Faith is belief in something that is not seen, but is real.
All roads can lead to heaven because of choices, but every road goes two directions: backward and forward. Options are orchestrated. If you don't believe it, pay attention the next time you have options and try to figure out what direction each is pulling you.
Life is really quite simple, no matter how hard it seems if eternity is part of your equasion, and love is the common denominator.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2006, at 10:08:29
In reply to Re: I'm wide awake, memories, posted by rayww on September 15, 2006, at 23:28:32
> WHAT IS USEFUL? Anything that can be used to build appropriate relationships. WHAT IS NOT USEFUL? pornography ...
I think it would be more supportive to stick to what people have found to be useful. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by rayww on September 16, 2006, at 11:38:04
In reply to Re: what is useful, posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2006, at 10:08:29
Sorry, I've been watching Glenn Beck and I guess he has shown what it does to focus on what is useful, ignoring what is not useful. It seems a lot of time and effort is going into learning things that are not useful these days, which coincidentally has to do with the two greatest sins: sexual abuse of children, and murder. I mentioned the epidemic of pornography in the post you referred to because I was trying to make the point that if you want to heal from your mental disorder, it is important to stay on the path that heals. When asked the question which comes first the problem or the disorder it is much the same as the chicken and the egg. They walk hand in hand most times. What is useful and what is not useful also walk hand in hand, and we need to be conscious of it, and try to avoid certain pitfalls. Do you think viewing pornography is something that its addiction to will not cripple? I simply listed it as "not useful". As a small child, I found some, and learned where it would be hiding, so daily went to it. I was addicted to it then, and can still remember some of the images. Like any other addiction, once addicted, it is always close by. Today I stay completely away from it because I (assume) can easily get sucked in. It isn't hard to avoid if you make the decision to stay completely away from it. Mind it is all around anyway, on the streets even, but the part you can control is different.
I'm not surprised you found a point to criticize in my post. I have learned a few things in my slightly less than 60 years, and when I see the struggles of the young people today, and the challenges they face because of culture, when I see the news and listen to those like Glenn Beck, I cannot sit idly by and watch the scenes without stepping in to do what I can, be it offering my tidbits of wisdom, or whatever it might be. So if you consider blocking me for a statement against pornography, like you did with the statement for Christianity, you obviously have something less than the health of your community in mind.
In my opinion, spiritual, physical, and mental health are all connected, and pornography has a negative effect on our spiritual health, that can quickly spread to our physical and mental as well.
So, although you did not ask me to "please rephrase" I will make a trade: that for this. OK:)
Posted by Declan on September 16, 2006, at 15:43:16
In reply to Re: I'm wide awake, memories, posted by finelinebob on September 13, 2006, at 20:40:41
Fay Weldon, the English novelist and (I think) minister, had an allergic reaction and her heart stopped. She saw the gates of Paradise.
"They were very vulgar, very middle class with very rich colours and double-glazed."
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 17, 2006, at 20:16:36
In reply to Re: what is useful » Dr. Bob, posted by rayww on September 16, 2006, at 11:38:04
> I've been watching Glenn Beck and I guess he has shown what it does to focus on what is useful, ignoring what is not useful. ... I was trying to make the point that if you want to heal from your mental disorder, it is important to stay on the path that heals.
I support that, sticking to what people have found useful and healing.
Bob
Posted by rayww on September 18, 2006, at 11:03:45
In reply to Re: what is useful, posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2006, at 10:08:29
> > WHAT IS USEFUL? Anything that can be used to build appropriate relationships. WHAT IS NOT USEFUL? pornography ...
>
> I think it would be more supportive to stick to what people have found to be useful. Thanks,
>
> Bob
What about murder? I mentioned pornography AND murder. I would venture a guess that most people who commit murder have lost respect for the sanctity of human life through viewing pornography. But of course not all people who view pornography commit murder. The way I see it, mentioning a couple of things that are not useful is useful. Gambling may be another, where you learn to value getting something for nothing. Its antidote would be work. All three of these: pornography, gambling, murder, are like commiting spiritual suicide, and if people can't find their spiritual side, even when they focus on God, it may be because they are trying to walk hand in hand, hanging onto what is not useful with one hand, while holding what is with the other. We all do it, but don't realize it. Part of healing spiritually involves letting go and leaving behind those things that are not useful. They pull you backward, and stall your healing progress. "It don't matter" is a crippling phrase. It does matter.It takes a lot of faith to let go, trusting that God will more than make up the difference. Hanging on doesn't ground you to anything good. God can hold both hands if you want Him to.
Mentally-focus on what is useful by leaving behind what is not
Physically-move
Spiritually-soarOnce you have pulled yourself up and out of your depression as much as you are able, you will be better able to face it for the monster that it is, not complicated by the things that make it worse.
I realize it is hard for you to back down from an opinion dr. bob, but in this case I really think you should.
rayww
Posted by Lou Pilder on September 18, 2006, at 18:58:02
In reply to Re: what is useful, posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2006, at 10:08:29
DR. Hsiung,
You wrote,[...more supportive to stick to what people have found to be useful...].
But could that not be diffeent on the faith board?
The faith board as defined by you is for the service and worship of God. There are many differant faiths and in the Christian faith, {repentance}is one of the doctrines that is connected to the Christian's salvation. And repentance to those of the Christian faith is to turn from what a Christian thinks is good for them to do or not do, to follow what their God says to them by and through their Holy Scriptures as to what is good for them to do and not do.
Repentance in the Chriatian faith is so important to their God that there is Joy in heaven because of it.
I believe that repentance is so important to the Christian that they seek The Kingdom of God first, by turning away from what God says is not good for them. And for the Christian, their turning away allows them to store up treasures in heaven. And do not Christians belive that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also?
Lou
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 20, 2006, at 8:05:55
In reply to Re: what is useful » Dr. Bob, posted by rayww on September 18, 2006, at 11:03:45
> All three of these: pornography, gambling, murder, are like commiting spiritual suicide
Keeping in mind that the idea here is not to exaggerate or to post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down, could you please rephrase that?
But please don't take this personally, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please first see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceand:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010718/msgs/1854.html
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Lou Pilder on September 20, 2006, at 8:51:36
In reply to Re: please rephrase that » rayww, posted by Dr. Bob on September 20, 2006, at 8:05:55
Dr. Hsiung, You wrote to rayww,[..please rephrase...]
The poster that you have posted to here now has declared here that they are a member of a religion that is centered on Jesus Christ and his birth, life and death as to the significance of His teachings. The perspective that the poster is presenting is of the Christian perspective as pertaining to those things that the Christian perspective declares as to be of spititual significance as to do or to not do according to their scriptures.
The opening page of the faith board here states that the forum is for the discussion of faith, which is the service and worship of God.
The point here is that in your opening page, IMO, there is the potential that others could think that you mean that;
A. There could be a God
B. That Christians worship and serve a God
C. That the Christian perspective, by the nature of the discussion of Jesus Christ to being civil here, could mean that what Jesus Christ taught is acceptable to be posted here.
D. That one can post what [...people of my faith believe...]
E. That the teachings of Jesus Christ are of the Christisn perspective and if they are posted, that others understand that those teachings are from the poster's perspective.
I ask;
1. Is it not known that what the poster posted in question is what the people of that faith believe?
2. Are you saying that those things in question here do not cause the effects to Christians described by the poster?
3. Is there a faith that teaches otherwise? If so, couold those from that faith post their concept of the things in question?
4. If the faith board is for discussion about the sevice and worship of God, and the poster in question serves his/her God in the manner described, is that manner just as acceptable as to if someone posted here that they are asking others to pray for them?
Lou Pilder
Posted by rayww on September 20, 2006, at 11:14:52
In reply to Re: please rephrase that » rayww, posted by Dr. Bob on September 20, 2006, at 8:05:55
My definition of spiritual suicide: doing things that destroy your spirituality once you have discovered it. http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?search=1+cor+2%3A14
Rephrase:
Spirituality can be harnessed.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 21, 2006, at 22:09:06
In reply to Re: please rephrase that » Dr. Bob, posted by rayww on September 20, 2006, at 11:14:52
Posted by JahL on October 10, 2006, at 7:00:27
In reply to Re: what is useful » Dr. Bob, posted by rayww on September 18, 2006, at 11:03:45
I don't really know what I'm letting myself in for here. I'm a confirmed aetheist and I'm not totally sure why I'm reading this board. Probably has something to do with the fact that I can't sleep (run out of sleep meds + buzzing off Parnate).
Anyway, I feel I just have to comment upon what Ray said.
> Gambling may be another [form of spiritual suicide], where you learn to value getting something for nothing. Its antidote would be work.
Hmmm. I'm too ill to work. Far too ill. So what do I do? Rely upon the state to provide me with a miserly income and endure a poor standard of living, a misery compounded by the terrible quality of life my Bipolar dictates I have?
Or do I use the skills I learnt while studying Economics at university to benefit both myself and society?
Yes, I am a professional gambler, and a fairly successful one at that. Gambling enables me to:
1/ Pay taxes.
2/ Pay my own way, maintain my independence and not rely upon state handouts, which others need more than me.
3/ Pay for the kind of psychiatric care which the state - in the guise of the NHS - cannot and will not provide, and which my condition demands.
4/ Explore new treatments (ie buy drugs) not available in my country.
1 & 2 mean I am a net contributer to society. I am not a drain upon the state's finances, which are a finite resource that exist for those that really have no way of supporting themselves.
3 & 4 mean I am still alive (I would have shot myself long ago without the self-financed meds I rely upon). 3 & 4 also give me a shot, so to speak - possibly - of one day leading a genuinely happy and productive life.
So in my case at least, gambling is a thoroughly productive pursuit.
Yes problem gamblers exist, and increasingly so, but that's no reason to condemn gambling per se, in the same way that the existence of alcoholism does not stop drinking from being a relatively harmless and enjoyable pursuit for most. For many people gambling's just a bit of fun at the end of a long, hard day's work. Nothing wrong with that in my eyes.
I always tell myself, if I can't live a happy life then at least I can lead a relatively comfortable one. All thanks to gambling.
> All three of these: pornography, gambling, murder, are like commiting spiritual suicide, and if people can't find their spiritual side...
Maybe some of us aren't looking for our 'spiritual side'. I know I'm not. I just exist in the here and now. That's enough for me.
On a side note - I really don't see the direct connection between porn and murder. I would hazard a guess that most young males, for example, at least occasionally glance at a little internet porn. Doesn't make them all killers in the making.
Right, that's my first, and most probably last Faith post done.
Respectfully,
Jah.
Posted by Amandafran on October 26, 2006, at 22:21:31
In reply to Near Death Experience, posted by Declan on September 16, 2006, at 15:43:16
you might want to try to google near death experiences of children or stories of near death experiencs..I found this site for you
http://paranormal.about.com/cs/neardeathexp/
it includes stories and even pictures young kids have drawn...maybe this will be of use...The kids have actually had near death experiences...
Hope this helps some. Goodluck. Sorry about your loss I know things are tough.
Stay strong.
AF
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Faith | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.