Why does the piper want to be paid?

[bootle]

It was stated in a previous thread that the chapter in the bible "Revelations" (also known as "The reckoning" in the koran} was thought to be really weird.<br /><br />Where did this concept of the rapture and the heaven and hell theory come from?<br /><br />Christianity and islam are the only two religions of which i've found to be most adamant in this belief.<br /><br />Are there any religions that predates or precede the two afore mentioned which holds on to this idea of a reckoning in relation to one's existence?

 

[Frankhanhart]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

well... this re-incarnation thing comes to mind. Be bad and you'll come back as a rat or something.

 

[bootle]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

The reincarnation thing seems so illogical to me that it was'nt even a blip on my radar screen.<br />I am aware that it is a part of various hindu and buddhist doctrine, but i'm not educated to the specifics.

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

Frank, I think you may be crossing Karma and reincarnation. Reincarnation is believed in by a number of religions with the purpose of coming back over 100s of years in a number lifetimes to achieve perfection of the soul. Karma is if you do bad things it will come around to bite you either in the current lifetime or future incarnations. Just my .02......

 

[rolmops]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

The rapture idea first appears in the new testament 1 thessalonians.Many christians believe that Jesus will come back and gather the faithful christians living and dead to him in the clouds.As for heaven, hell and eternal life.It is the greek mythical religions that really came up with the idea of afterlife in the underworld.From there,through hellenism,it seeped into Christianity and Islam.Judeism has a little of it but not much and most of judeism concentrates on earthly life.In my opinion it is caused by the fear of the unknown and added to that, reward and punishment.

 

[bootle]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

"In my opinion it is caused by the fear of the unknown and added to that, reward and punishment."<br /><br />Did the religious authorities incorporate these superstitious beliefs with the various biblical doctrines to create this fear?...And was it used to aid in political control?

 

[rolmops]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

They did not have to.It is deeply ingrained in humanity.<br />As for afterlife.It is one reason why christianity in its beginnings was very popular amongst slaves.Their own gods had obviously abandoned them and they only had misery to look forward to.And here comes a religion that makes virtues out of suffering and misery and on top of that promises you heaven if only you suffer and believe.<br />Was it used to aid in political control?No of course not .Who would ever want to do a thing like that??<br />Anyway it is a great way to keep people meek and obedient.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

Karma, reincarnation, after-life, and hell are all part of "faith" and is just another tool made up to teach people how to lives. All that stuffs are strongly and widely believes in the Buddist religion. Hell, according to the Buddist, is more relax then the hell of Christianity. Everyone goes to hell after death and then from there they get sentenced for punishment depends on the severity of the sins. If no sins, they will get reincarnates into good thing such as being born to a rich family, etc..If a person is heavily sinned such as murder? well that dude is fudged. The ruler of hell is not the devil but rather a realy tough judge. My grandparents are buddist believers.

 

[bootle]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

"Who would ever want to do a thing like that??"<br /><br />I am just curious as to how for example the papal theocracy of Rome managed such strict control over the remnants of such a diverse empire. I am trying to look for parallels in todays theocracies like Iran and to a certain degree Saudi Arabia.

 

[PW2]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

It is what Marx referred to as the "opiate of the masses"<br /><br />If you believe that no matter how bad your life is in this world, if you're good and behave (read that don't launch a revolution), you will be rewarded a better life in the hereafter. The masters figured out that once their servants reached the hereafter, they no longer posed a threat even if it turned out to be not true.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

The difference starts in ad 1500 with the french philosopher Descartes.He initiates rationalism and causes an avalanche of renaissance.(Funny how this new technology called the printing press helped change the world)<br />Islam did not have its own renaissance and it has no rationalism

 

[bootle]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

Was the the renaissance akin to a period of "religious glasnost"(sp)?<br />It has been my observation that religion, whether its Islam or Christianity, is seen and practiced by their respective followers through different prisms due to the various cultures, wealth and the level of education within those societies.

 

[tony779]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

Have any of you ever read the Bible?<br /><br />The "rapture" (second coming more common term), heaven and hell are all described in the Bible.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

I am of the opinion, that fiction when taken to a different level is never in the best interest of man.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

Anyway it is a great way to keep people meek and obedient.

As well as to keep the $$ flowing in.

 

[SeaKat]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

Damn, and here I thought this was just a boating forum.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Why does the piper want to be paid?

Does no one read the "All DC posters, please read" sticky?
Plainly states,
"Posts on controversial topics such as politics, social controversy and religion have proven to be inflammatory and will no longer be allowed."

Now this one is closed.