We attended a humanist funeral a few years ago.  It was a very respectful, loving tribute to the person who had died.  It was down to earth and honest - It was very moving.  On the other hand we missed a funeral of a very dear friend and neighbour because we were on holiday - (in the middle of the Atlantic actually) at the time.  Our son and girlfriend attended and were really upset that the minister took the opportunity to rant - yes rant at the non-believers - or rather the one's who were not 'saved'  to remind them that they would burn in hell etc.  We spoke to several other friends who had also attended and they all thought that is was not a fitting send off for such a lovely lady.  It takes all sorts I suppose - but I am glad I missed the latter!

> Personally, I find all the posts about The Rainbow Bridge very gooey and cringe at some of them

I'm afraid I am the same Daisy :)  Whilst I, obviously, recognise and sympathise with peoples pain at loosing their loved companion I have always understood that animals do not have souls, in the Christian religion anyway so I can't really understand all that stuff.  We value our animals for their place in this life I believe and that is enough for me :).

>I have always understood that animals do not have souls, in the Christian religion anyway

That's one place where Christianity and I diverge. The difference in characters of the animals I've known makes it quite clear to me that they have souls. But I agree that over-sentimentality is a turn-off, although I can quite understand that others may feel differently!

I think that is personality, or should that be animalality :), not a soul.  We are the only ones created in the image of God remember.

>We are the only ones created in the image of God remember.

But God created everything - all of the animals and the people - and got mightily narked when His ideal couple got the idea that they were greater than the animals and started hiding their nakedness. So much so that he slung them out of Paradise! Therefore the animals, in their innocence, are closer to God's creation. :)

"That's one place where Christianity and I diverge"

Ditto

If there is a heaven - then all the animals I have met are far more deserving of a place than a large percentage of humans.

I'd like to think there is a next life for animals. Sentimental - yes, gooey - no. Just simply what I believe they deserve.

A heaven without the animals I've known wouldn't be at all heavenly!

I agree :) :) If there is a heaven :D :D :D

Daisy

If there is a heaven - does that mean there is a hell?

And if heaven is full of good things - whats in hell? Some bad things can be quite good... :D :D :D What if I am spoilt for choice? :D

>If there is a heaven - does that mean there is a hell?

Oh yes. One can't exist without the other. Dark doesn't exist without Light, Up doesn't exist without Down, Good doesn't exist without Bad, therefore there is no Heaven if there is no Hell. Everything has an opposite.

> One can't exist without the other

But given that no-one is exactly good/evil, where is the line drawn between good and evil ? :) :) Do all doggies (and humans) go to heaven or do some go to hell ? :) :)

I'm quite happy to settle for no heaven or hell, then I haven't got to worry about which I'm going to :D :D

Daisy

That's where traditionally the scales of judgement came into play, to find out whether your good deeds outweighed your bad ones, and therefore whether you went up or down! :D

Oh dear - if they rely on scales then I'm definitely going down :D :D :D

Daisy

I remember hearing a joke years ago about someone being shown around Heaven, and it was all very lovely, just as the new arrival had hoped. He suddenly noticed a high wall and asked what was on the other side. "Oh, it's still Heaven" he was told. "That's the area for the insert any faith here believers. They like to think they're the only ones here!"

:D :D :D

I dont believe in God in the same way as a christian would but I do believe there is something.
I believe that there is a universal conciousness of which we are all a part.Leaving when we come to endure our chosen life on earth.When our conciousness leaves are bodies,it returns to become a part once more of the universal conciousness.

>I'd like to think there is a next life for animals.

I suppose that is a nice thought for humans but, you know, I don't think animals would mind :)  They are not cerebral creatures like us, they don't ponder the life to come, they live life and enjoy it very much in the here and now.

Thats unless they know something we don't - hence they don't ponder :D

>They are not cerebral creatures like us, they don't ponder the life to come, they live life and enjoy it very much in the here and now.

Some humans are like that too, to just be, living in the moment, best way to live IMO :-D

I would love to think that I could meet again all the people and dogs I've loved and lost. Trouble is, I don't think it will happen. Just as I was not in existence before I was born, nor shall  I be after I'm dead.

Consequently, any threats/pleas etc from religion are irrelevant to me. I'll do my best for fellow man and animals whilst here, but after that there's no retribution or reward, I fear.

I wish it was otherwise but all the evidence says no.

Enjoy it while you're here,folks !

I've never really bought the whole bible story, I prefer the scientists view of how we came into being. That said I do think there is something afterwards. This belief, if you could call it that, has been made stronger recently when a friend had a stroke. Before she came round in hospital she says she had the most amazing time with her favourite horse (who passed away years before) and her two favourite dogs, also long gone. She talks of riding through a forest and everything being so vivid and colourful it couldn't possibly be a dream. Wouldn't it be wonderful tothink we will be reunited like that with our beloved pets, and the people we miss too. Of course it could all have been a drug induced hallucination, only time will tell I suppose :)

I believe although I do not practice, came from a very strict upbringing where the Bible was pushed on us and having it all those years has put me off to some degree although as I get older I find myself thinking about the Bible etc. more. I pray and still believe although I do not attend church regular.  I tend to go for comfort in my hour of need.  I also believe there is something after death but unsure what. My husband believes in nothing and this sometimes can frustrate me and if he is ever disrespectful I do admit to feeling hurt and angry, he knows this and it is a subject we avoid.  I believe we are all different and all have different opinions but I always like to try and keep mine to myself and never preach to anyone about my beliefs. 

I believe that when we die we go to a better place, a place that is filled with whatever and whoever we want, family, friends, pets we lost etc, everyone has there own little heaven. I was read a book called 'the lovely bones' might of been 'lonely bones' by alice sebold. It was a lovely story that a little girl told from her heaven, when she got there her pet dog was waiting for her, i would recommend it to read, it definately made me feel better about death/heaven etc

Some people believe this life is the hell and the after-life the heaven!

Some people believe this life is the hell and the after-life the heaven!
I wish!!!!! now that would be worth believing in!!!!!
What is it, how you cope with the hell, is how you are sent back again or sent to heaven??
Lea :)

>how you cope with the hell, is how you are sent back again or sent to heaven??

Nope, according to the teachings of the early Christian church (before it became fluffy ;)) it's a bit like hip-scoring; you only have the one shot at your judgement, and that's your fate for all eternity.

I have a couple of theories :) Maybe this "short" life we live now is nothing but a test.How we go and do in this life decides our next  'journey' or 'life' or 'entity' which could last forever...

My other theory is there is a god,heaven and hell.And if you're a bad person you'll go to hell when you die,if a good person you'll go to heaven. I'm really afraid that if i dont believe in heaven then i'll go straight to hell :o

interesting debate ....personally I don't believe in a god or follow any type of religion and have the view that in many many countries religion is used as a way of controlling society - it seems to me that it has it's greatest influence in really poor regions where the daily grind of simply staying alive means that people put their blind trust in a faith based 'reward system' - i.e be good now - get your reward later.

Once a country becomes more affluent just watch the way that religion looses it's hold ....with greater time and  an improved quality of life, people tend to question and disregard the 'rules' placed on them by the church.

I do object strongly to the notion that only those who believe are able to follow a 'good' way of life - compassion....self sacrifice and altruism are not the sole perogative of Christians, Muslims, Buddists etc ....:rolleyes: ...and many people have suffered in the name of their religious beliefs and according to the dictates of their church.

I do think there is an afterlife but that this is measured in the things we leave behind ...the way we shape the land, make beautiful objects or leave loving memories in those we know ...but I feel that this is IT ...our one and only shot....and that we should make the most of every hour of evvery day :D

Yvonne

>Once a country becomes more affluent just watch the way that religion looses it's hold

The USA is one of the most affluent countries, and religion (and religious intolerance!) is big business.

Yo sure don't tell anyone you're an Atheist over there, it's career suicide

Gosh what a can of worms I've opened here...think I'll keep quiet in future....

At the end of the day, everyone has a right to their own beliefs & as long as no-one gets hurt I'm happy with that, the unfortuante thing is that many wars centre around religious debates which I find sad...why can't we all respect each others views & leave it at that...that would be one of my 'life rules'.

I will certainly be finding comfort in hoping my Gran is now doing the waltz with my Grandad somewhere on Friday at her funeral, such a wonderful woman who played such a large part in my life, a sad loss. RIP Grandma & Gandad Knee xxx

Nothing wrong with a good debate - in fact it's beneficial because everyone can learn something they didn't know before! The important thing is that nobody should feel affronted when people have different views, and everyone here has been very calm and polite, and is respecting others' views. It's an excellent thread! :)

Hi,

I`m a Christian infact I was Confirmed a couple of months ago at the age of 41 .

I believe there is life after death too....and God forgives us for our sins. I go to Church once a month, I do readings and have just taken on the Job of Church Warden for 12 months!!  Anybody that knows me would have never of guessed this I`m sure! :-)  Secrets out!!!!

Pam

PS I have always had a little faith ;-)

PS. I also feel sure that your Grandma and Grandad will be doing whatever they believed in. :)

When my first nan died 19 years ago I was heartbroken and for months I just wanted to hear her voice.  The love I felt from her and the love I felt for her remain so for me she hasn't really left me :)  BTW she wasn't a little old sweet cookie cooking grandma, she was a right old battleaxe and we have some fun recalling some of the things she did and said.

I just wondered if you can have an Agnostic Catholic   I suppose at present I am lapsed, though was a regular church gower until fairly recently.  I get a lot out of going to church to focus on what faith I ahve, but I disagree with so much of the dogma of the faith I ahve been brought up in, but certainly wouldn't switch to any other system of beleifs.

Oooh Barbara, that is jus the same as me!
Karen ;-)

newfiedreams Date 08.05.07 16:54 GMT
now they KNOW how to worship!! LOL

therein lays the problem!

..........if you see the buddha on the path, kill him!

soz I don't understand????

I don't believe in God, heaven or religion.  Though many things that I practice in every day life would make some people think I'm a christian but I'm definitely not, I just respect myself and others around me!

oh that sums me up!!!!

I have better morals & compassion than some very active releigous people i know!!!!

>therein lays the problem!

>..........if you see the buddha on the path, kill him!

Dont get it,can you explain?

"Kill the Buddha if the Buddha exists somewhere else. Kill the Buddha, because you should resume your own Buddha nature."

Killing the buddha

http://www.kwanumzen.com/pzc/newsletter/v09n10-1997-oct.html

exactly cheryl!

hence: "worship IS the problem".........even worship of Elvis.

Whether people believe or not, I agree with our OP it is a comfort, the human race needs to believe in something otherwise loss of our loved ones would feel too final.

When my father died, I got to his bedside 15 minutes too late, even though I had been at his side every day and he knew how much I loved him I was so devastated to not be there when he actually died. I broke down in floods of tears as I greeted my mother on the ward and she sent me in to see him.

When I went in the room I can't explain it but I felt complete peace and calm, I had gone in ready to cry at my fathers side of a broken heart, I was so upset, but I felt him there, I saw nothing but I felt him, my tears stopped and I didn't even say anything, just sat next to him feeling content and ok with everything. I knew he was no longer in his body and I felt that, but I still felt him with me in that room.

Maybe it is in the mind, maybe I really felt his spirit, I believe that I did, but the world is a better place to believe and I left that room feeling at peace, loved and so, so calm.

>the world is a better place to believe

I agree. A couple of times, totally out of the blue and when I was least expecting it, I've heard my father's voice as clear as clear can be. I feel sure he still cares for me just as he did when he was physically alive, and the world is definitely a better, less bleak, place with that belief.

Well with a user name like mine, what do you think?

You're a witch??? LOL Just kidding!!! :P

I've heard people calling me too.  Rarely but it has happened a few times.  Not just those have died though, I've heard my mother calling me recently and my son.  Unnerving but phoned asap and both fine so it must be something subconscious going on.