People have some pretty interesting ideas about what heaven and hell are like.
Usually people think hell is like “The Inferno” described in Dante’s book, The Divine Comedy. Some think Satan rules hell. They envision a horned devil holding a pitchfork, dancing around in leaping flames. He’s the only one that can play with fire and not get burned. Others think it’s another world where the dead continue to exist. You know, like in The Sixth Sense. “I see dead people.” Some think it’s a raging fire used to punish wrong doers when they die. Some think these bad people burn in torment forever and ever. Some think they just burn up and cease to exist. Most believe hell is the just desserts for the unjust when they die.
People’s ideas about heaven are just as varied. Some think it’s a lovely garden and others think it’s a beautiful city. Some think it’s an oasis replete with virgins for the taking. Others think it’s a Paradise. Visions of angels playing harps in the clouds come to mind. Many think it’s a place to be reunited with loved ones. Others think it’s communion with God. Most believe it’s the reward for the just when they die.
Everyone wants to believe in an afterlife. People tend to make that afterlife into what they want. Whatever they love becomes their idea of heaven. Whatever they hate becomes their idea of hell.
In my heaven I eat everything I want and never gain weight. I never have a bad hair day. Everyone agrees with me. I am appreciated. I always awake refreshed and rested. My children do exactly what I say. My husband puts the toilet seat down. I have a housekeeper. I don’t have to recycle. I never have to pump gas. Everyone compromises with me, not vice versa. Dogs never poop on my walking path. There are no mosquitoes. The sun shines mostly but sometimes it rains. It doesn’t storm; it just rains a soft to medium tempo to help the fruits, vegetables, and flowers grow. The trees are a mixture of spring blossoms, summer foliage, and fall colors. It snows occasionally. But even when it snows my heaven is 72 degrees. Actually it’s 72 degrees all the time. And, oh yes, everyone I like is there and everyone I don’t like is “you know where.”
Even religious scholars can’t agree on what heaven and hell are like. But all agree that heaven is good and hell is bad. You might say that heaven is being with God and hell is being without God. And for your information, I’m not just speaking metaphorically or referring to the afterlife. I’m talking about the real heaven and hell.
