Which afterlife IS it?
Hieronymous Bosch, c.1510
I was sitting in Church today, and wondering about the future. Specifically, the afterlife.
As a Christian, my understanding of the afterlife has changed recently. We used to believe that there was Heaven and Hell, with a limbo or Purgatory in between. This was a waypoint for those who had not been baptized, or for those who were not ready to be received into Heaven. The Pope recently stated that there is no longer a limbo, but Heaven and Hell are your only choices after you shake off this mortal coil.
But what if the Jews are correct? What if your soul goes to Gehenna, a limbo-like place where the despicable reside forever, and the rest go for up to a year for cleansing prior to their ascent to Eden. Then they return to perfect themselves in another reincarnated form. Once all of the souls meant for Creation has been achieved, the Messiah comes and the righteous are taken to Heaven.
If the Islamic are correct, then what? Would the book of my life be placed in my right hand as a blessing? Would it be placed in my left, symbolizing my damnation? If I cross the Bridge of Sirat, will I lose my balance and plummet into the 7 levels of Hell? If I go to that Hell as a Christian would I be on the third level of Hell, or would I be placed on the seventh level with the hypocrites of all religions?
I think what concerned me most about all of this was the idea that, wherever I end up, I would be in view of all those who await my arrival. (Rather arrogant of me to think anyone would be waiting, but still…) Would I be welcomed as a believer, or would I, arriving in the Hell the Islamic believe I’m destined for, do so in full view of the saved, reclining on their couches? Finally, wouldn’t I feel terrible if I missed out on reincarnation because I was not capable of perfection, or if I missed out on the virgins because I was a non-believer?
I mean, it is a lot of virgins.
