Heaven or Hell?

Someone asked me, David, would you like to go to HEAVEN or go to HELL? This was my answer:

"I dunno. Never thought of that. Heaven may not be as heavenly as they say. Or hell may not be as bad as they say either. Its subjective based on individual perceptions and what religion preaches, don't you think? At tht end of the day there may not even be a heaven or hell or even a judgement day. Whatever someone believes becomes their reality and whatever someone believes isn't doesn't become their reality. So to me, the question of heaven or hell doesn't become an issue cos it's subjective."

I would like to add to that by saying, heaven or hell is a term conceived by early preachers of religion to scare us into being good. In early times of lawlessness, it probably is beneficial for the church (I am assuming it derived from christianity, although I am not certain) to paint a picture of heaven being a place which is blissful and peaceful and pure and if you're good throughout your lifetime, maybe you 'deserve' a place there. It's like a get out of jail free ticket provided you are good.

Another picture they would paint in the mind of their devotees are, the picture of hell, all fiery and painful and people being tortured.

And the ultimate picture they paint in devotees minds are, a day of JUDGEMENT where people all stand before GOD to be told if you will take the gate that is marked HEAVEN or HELL.

Well, the reason why to me it's subjective is because the religion that I practice now doesn't scare me with the notion of having to choose where I want to end up. A side thought: if I am good and I end up in heaven, I may not want to be there cos of who I am and vice versa. The reason why I say so is, heaven may not be what people say it is. It could still be clean and tidy, with people wearing white robes, have wings, a halo over their heads and play the harp everyday and night and eat nice food, but what if I don't want that?

What if I still want to go to the casino and thrown some dices or booze all night long with my buddies? Or go to a horse race and place bets? I may not get to do that in heaven even if I had gained my right to be there.

I prefer the idea of rebirth. Being reborn over and over again and learn from different experiences until I have learn from past mistakes and experiences to the path of becoming enlightened. Doesn't that beat going to heaven or hell anytime?

Of course at the core of it all, you still would have to be a good person because it benefits society as a whole.