Chris got me thinking about the afterlife during practice today. If there is a ‘heaven’ and a ‘hell’, then do animals go there as well? Take pets for example. Many agree that in the afterlife (specifically heaved) one will be surrounded by their loved ones. Lets assume your aunt Lily is allergic to animals (specifically pets). Let us also assume that Lily makes it into heaven. Now, some years after Lily dies, your pet dog Oscar looses his life. Since Oscar was a law abiding mammal he too finds his way into heaven. We can assume for the meantime that Oscar and Lily never meet in heaven (since they weren’t fond of each other here on earth).
Inevitably many years pass and it is now your time to enter the gates of heaven. What happens now? Do you meet both Lily and Oscar in a world where neither existed? Or are you duplicated to live in both Oscars and Lily’s worlds? Whichever the case may be, we clearly see that there is a problem at hand. Wonder if it has a solution.
Why wouldnt you just be able to have the company of both in the same fashion as here on earth? If you see your aubt lily once a week and live with your dog whos to say itll be different in heaven? Also you may not “live with aunt lily but is she not a phonecall away? Being “surrounded” by loved ones doesnt literally mean theyre with you 24.7, Just within reach.
I see what you mean. But what if Lily’s idea of heaven is to be as far away from Oscar as possible while your idea is to be as close to Lily and Oscar? Wouldn’t you agree somethings gotta give. What I mean is that someone will have to give up their idea of perfection (i.e. heaven) in order to accommodate others. With Lily being a phone call away, you will not be truly satisfied living without her. Similarly, if you are living with her, she will not be happy with Oscar being around.
Isnt heaven assumed to be a paradise filled with love? No wars no tension nothing negative. Assuming this is true wouldnt lily and oscar have nothing against each other anymore? If they actually do hate each other in “heaven” then can it really be called heaven? Nobody ever thinks of heaven as a place where dead people quarrel. Its filled with genuine peace and tranquility, with genuine being the key word here. There would be no place for unhappiness assuming this is a true “heaven.”
The only way Oscar and Lily could have nothing with each other is if they begin from scratch. Meaning, Lily would have to disown her allergic animal traits. But then how much will she need to forget in order to live in true harmony. Considering her genuineness, will she still be Lily or will her allergies disappear once she is in heaven?
P.S. Finally, a post title with significance.
Well if youre talking about literal allergies.. Allergies in heaven? Highly doubt youd have such an inconvenience. However if you mean it metaphorically then its not about forgetting. Its heaven. Paradise. Perfection. Peace. Nothing can and nothing will get in the way of true bliss. She wont forget but she will accept. If all the nations of the world Genuinely accepted each other would there not be peace? She will still be lily but wouldnt it be a preposterous idea for someone with hate to be able to get into heaven – the place of perfect happiness? Either she wouldnt get into heaven or it would indeed be a fresh start. They say death is a new beginning, no?
Hmm. Well, if she forgets these traits as you stated I don’t think she will be Lily anymore. Also, it is very unlikely that people anywhere genuinely accept each other. People will always want what is best for them. I’m not saying that people don’t want great things for others. What I mean is that greed is omnipresent no matter where you are. Someone will always want two of what you have. The reason they want it is because you are essentially better (or above) them for what you have. Even if the greedy individual receives twice of what he wants, someone will be jealous of him. This would mean that irritations like getting caught in the rain, walking into someone on street (of heaven in this case), or stepping into mud could not exist in heaven according to your explanation. Does this seem realistic? Now, assuming worms, plants and other individuals make it into heaven these irritations will exist. How could plants and worms survive without water and soil? How could you prevent people from walking into each other? Or are you saying that it will be impossible to get upset for ruining your new outfit in the rain, or walking into someone and dropping everything you are carrying?
Well that would mean that youd have worldly problems in a supernatural setting. It would be true that worms and plants wouldnt be able to survive without the soil and rain but how would you know in heaven theres oxygen? Would we even need to breathe? On earth yes its a necessity but heaven is a whole other realm.Would a nuisance like breathing be present in a supernatural environment? Also Would there be greed in heaven? What would there be to be greedy about? On earth of course theres money and other materialistic stuff you want but in heaven would there be a want for earthly things? Also what would you be greedy for in heaven?
I also know On earth of course its hard to accept some people but in heaven those worldly emotions would just seem.. Insignificant no?
Sorry if my thoughts are scattered. Its loud in the van.