What hope is there then? (page 3)

watson

Read Ecclesiastes. I like the writer's take on a lot of stuff.

Yes, Leavingwt. By the word afterlife I meant anything humans can long for (including your virgins, if that's what makes you happy, JWoods. Ha, ha...). I wish Santa Claus existed as well... So the question is: Would any of you say NO to an afterlife if you had the option? I don't suppose any human being would reject to continue to live in whatever paradise, heaven or nirvana comes to our mind. So, let's face it, we do a little like the fox and the grapes (is that fable well known in the States, or just a Spanish thing?).

snowbird

Read Ecclesiastes. I like the writer's take on a lot of stuff.

I do, too. Especially this one:

Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The last and final word is this:
Fear God.
Do what he tells you.

14 And that's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil. MSG

Sylvia

Terry

If JWs don't have the truth; if there is no paradise earth; if there is no end of this system; if death is all there is, then what hope do we have to look forward too?

Let me reword your query a bit, if I may.

If I can't be rich and handsome and have lots of beautiful girls whenever I want them then what hope do I have and what can I look forward to?

You can't make the perfect the enemy of the good.

You can make the good the enemy of the lie, however.

goldensky

Snowbird, I just LOVE your translation of the Bible! I've meant to tell you many times. The scriptures really come to life! I know you've mentioned it before, but could you repeat what version that is?

leavingwt

goldensky -- My mind cannot fathom any afterlife, as I have no experience with it. In general terms, however, yes, it would be nice to have a meaningful and pleasant existence that could continue until I decided otherwise. If, however, this fantasy conflicts with my capacity to love and care for my family and neighbors, here in the real world, it would be a negative thing for me. Some of us have the 'God gene' and some of us don't. I just don't think I'm any different than the billions of Chinese people that have died in the history of this planet that had never heard of Jesus or YHWH. I expect to end up exactly like they did, whatever that is.

JWoods

(including your virgins, if that's what makes you happy, JWoods. Ha, ha...).

Well, I don't know about "happy", but in the context of the thread - I can already afford pretty much all the ice cream I want. I already have the ability to fly, having gotten my license at 19 and owned a Citabria for a number of years. I have NOT had 72 virgins, alas...

So ---

sayitsnotso

Some of you are missing the point. It isn't about the paradise earth per se, but the notion of hope for a better future in general. As humans we never get to the point where we say, "I'm satisifed, I had a lot of enjoyable experiences in life and am Happy. I'm ready to die!" Quite the opposite really. People only wish to die when they are suffering. So really all of us wish deep down inside to be able to live forever, happily.

If it is simply just creduility taking over, then again, what's the point?

goldensky

I absolutely agree with you, Leavingwt. I strongly believe that whatever future there is, it will be for all humans (or nearly) that have lived and are living on this planet.

snowbird

Snowbird, I just LOVE your translation of the Bible! I've meant to tell you many times. The scriptures really come to life! I know you've mentioned it before, but could you repeat what version that is?

http://bibleresources.bible.com/bible_message.php

Sylvia

What hope is there then?

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