Crowded and bored into eternity

Unlike what the average believer might think, the concept of an eternal afterlife, such as Heaven and Hell, varies significantly across different religions. 

This means that details on the representation of the afterlife will differ greatly, and it would be smart for believers to “shop” different religions for the best or the preferred “package” offered. In addition, some faiths claim that only the righteous individuals will enter Heaven, while others believe in the possibility of redemption for everyone, even bypassing Hell. 

Jews, for instance, don’t believe in Hell, and have a nuanced view of the afterlife. Personally, I’d fear that eternal bliss might eventually fade and after a short eternity, become quite boring. Of course, we've learned that the bliss experienced in the afterlife is beyond human comprehension and limitless, so I guess my worries are misplaced. 

Still, eternal sounds like a long, long time, but I’m told by some that it would provide me with infinite opportunities for growth, experiences, and the pursuit of deeper understanding and meaning. However, it's important to note that the duration of a stage, whether eternal or finite, is subjective and dependent on individual perspectives. 

Some may find meaning and purpose in a stage that lasts for a few hundred years, while others may never get enough and will have an appetite for eternity. Just like my mom, I’m concerned about population control in a popular place like Heaven, but am told that God is so smart that it won’t be a problem for him to track not just everyone, but also their thoughts, actions, and needs quite effortlessly and on a one-to-one basis. Talk about multitasking! 

Finally, I’d like to know if I die today, will I come to Heaven as a 75 or a 25 year old, ideally better looking and much smarter, with a new set of teeth instead of my implants? Here again, the answer depends on cultural, religious, and personal perspectives. In many religious traditions, it’s believed that the nature of the afterlife will be different from our earthly existence, some individuals experiencing a spiritual form or consciousness separate from their physical bodies and the limitations of age and health. 

Others say that the afterlife offers an opportunity for rejuvenation and restoration, where individuals may experience a state of wholeness and vitality. This could mean having a body and mind free from the limitations and ailments that might have existed in life. Will there be good food, wine or skiing? So, at the end of the day, if we look forward to some kind of afterlife, we might be well advised to study carefully the different options available to us in a variety of religious and spiritual traditions. 

In fact, religions aren’t very clear as to what happens after death, for very obvious reasons ; they just don’t know. In the next blog, we’ll discuss where these places will be located as well as re-incarnation. Just stay tuned!