My personal man-made religion

Hell only exists in the mind of the beholder

I see good things to strive for in what you have posted.

Thanks for posting

You don't belief in an afterlife, but are worried about going to hell?  You've got good values, Leo. 

Thanks for posting to Fugitives from Ignorance, Conformity, and Peer Pressure

Jan, I am not  worried about going to hell. I want to know if other people think that I will. Your "good values comment makes me think that you do.

I didn't mean that to sound sarcastic.  I just re-read my comment and it does sound that way.  I'm sorry. What I meant is that I like your value/belief system.  Not doing wrong to any person or place nicely illustrates the Golden rule.  It's responsible citizenship.

I do believe in God and the afterlife.  I know a loving, merciful God who knows the secrets of our hearts.  I don't believe He turns away anyone who is kind and thoughtful.  My son rarely goes to church, but he's like you in the sense that he will grab loose shopping carts and take time to help anyone who needs help.  That's what matters in this life.

I salute your stand and in ways envy your belief.

I do agree that religion was the invention of humankind, as a means of solace; seems logical that the best rule to follow in life is treating others as you'd want to be treated. I do think there's plenty good in organized religion still, but there is still so much about it that is all about control; and having someone else tell you what is moral and what isn't.  As a result of a journey I started on about 3 years ago, I'm not so much into organized religion anymore; although I do still consider myself a christian. I just don't believe in a god that is angry or vengeful, I believe in a god that is always with everyone; and loves everyone. I had a pretty powerful experience 7-8 years ago that makes me believe this wholeheartedly, and to believe in a angry, vengeful god; then I'd be denying myself my connection with god.

Some people only believe god is angry and strikes people down because of what's in the bible. I do believe the bible contains some good metaphors for how to live life, but the parts that talk about hellfire and damnation; I believe were added by man. Some people use the bible as a crutch, to shut down critical thinking; it's like I don't have to think about this other perspective being presented- because the bible says this or that. God gave us the ability to think and reason because he wants us to use it.

Jesus did not demand that anyone follow him, he didn't tell people if they disagreed with him; that they were going to burn. Jesus preached and practiced unconditional love, no matter who he came into contact with- so why should god be any different? We all have a connection with god, no matter what we believe; we feel that connection most when we look for the good in things and people- and when we act towards others how we'd want them to act towards us.

And sorry about rambling and getting on a soap box there! :-)

uh huh

sure you are

LOL, just saw your reply sparrow

i'm all about the silliness ya know

My personal bible is the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

no silly

hell isn't real

From my point of view there are only certain aspects of life and death that are total mysteries. Such as why do bad things seem to happen all the time to the nicest of people, and bad people sometimes seem to have all the luck. Now this does not apply to all, as I am only generalizing here. But its a question, that I am sure many have pondered. With death the true mystery is not death in itself, but what lies after. We all know that with death, our physical being ceases.  But what happens after that? And I do not mean burial, or cremation. Do we become spirits? Are we reincarnated? Do bad people go to hell, and good to Heaven? No one really knows for sure, and this is where the mysteries lie.

Most of us have beliefs, based on things such as religion, or perhaps an expeience, that leds us to believe, what happens. But there is no proof positive,  and they will always thereon be mysteries, till when and if it becomes possible to know for sure. And somehow I don't think that will ever happen, but who knows. Perhaps it is better that we don't.

So we just cease to be?

What is the point of existing at all... and why do we? I mean, how did we get here?

How did we get here?  We evolved from one celled organisms.

If you are dead and just cease to exist what does it matter?  You are in fact dead.

Point to existing?  Make you LIFE meaningful, not your death and afterlife.

Why should you life be meaningful if you're just going to cease to be at any moment?

Can't both your life and afterlife be meaningful?

And if you have no afterlife then what?

Your life is the important thing.

You can do something with and about that your death on the other hand you cannot.

Interesting post, by the way!

I have a question...how do you know that these things are sins?

My private religion is simple:

There are two sins. Hurting other living things and harming our planet. Here is an idea of sin. Throwing a bottle out a car window and causing someone to have to buy a new tire. Leaving a shopping cart on the lot to damage someone's car.