Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
In a way, all reasons are selfish reasons. People do good deeds because it make them feel good (if not for any other reason).
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
Man is a selfish creature by nature and that's why I believe organized religions use the carrot and stick approach of promising everlasting carnal pleasure to 'believers'.
"Feeling good" is part of the very rewards one receives for 'doing the right thing', good deeds, etc. that I speak of. There's a reason it feels good, it's the right thing to do. But it doesn't mean you'll get virgins feeding you grapes and honey in golden palaces for eternity.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
You are absolutely right…It is indeed the carrot and stick analogy…Some donkeys like to move with a carrot in front while others need a stick on their heiny…
As a human, you have free will to move as you see fit…And for the one for whom neither the carot works nor the stick, well, you know what happens to those donkeys…
I can never understand what is so ‘carnal’ about the pleasures of paradise? It may a Christian perspective to view sex as carnal, but in Islam, sex between husband and wife is not carnal at all…In Islam, both husband and wife are allowed to enjoy sex for pleasure as they see fit, what do you find carnal about that? It is sex between a man and woman sanctioned by God himself…
Similarly sex between believers and Hoors (Eternal virgins of the Paradise) is also sanctioned by God Himself…So what is so carnal about that? What is so carnal about virgins feeding the believers grapes and honey in golden palaces if they are given by God Himself?
What is carnal about sex in golden palaces sanctioned and approved by God, perhaps you can start by explaining that to me…
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
I can never understand what is so 'carnal' about the pleasures of paradise? It may a Christian perspective to view sex as carnal, but in Islam, sex between husband and wife is not carnal at all...In Islam, both husband and wife are allowed to enjoy sex for pleasure as they see fit, what do you find carnal about that? It is sex between a man and woman sanctioned by God himself...
Similarly sex between believers and Hoors (Eternal virgins of the Paradise) is also sanctioned by God Himself...So what is so carnal about that? What is so carnal about virgins feeding the believers grapes and honey in golden palaces if they are given by God Himself?
What is carnal about sex in golden palaces sanctioned and approved by God, perhaps you can start by explaining that to me...
What's wrong with the word 'carnal'? Look it up in the dictionary.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
Some believe man is more spiritual, more developed and cared for by God more than a donkey and is excited at the prospect of being close to God, not needing eternal sex with perpetual virgins as reward for worshipping and living the proper life.
Carnal doesn't mean "forbidden", it is by characterized by the flesh, its passions and appetites, it is not spiritual in nature. I don't know of a religion that says sex between husband and life is not allowed (if it did, its followers would cease to exist), but it is still a carnal pleasure, especially for purposes other than procreation.
Still, no one has answered... is this belief of an afterlife of sex with perpetual virgins and other pleasures of the flesh the reason people follow their religion? If not for that carrot would there be a reason to please God?
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
In Islam, sex between a husband and wife, even for mere pleasure, is considered a Sadaqa, or charity…
In Paradise, the pleasures may not be carnal but they will be spiritual and of the senses…
I don’t know if you believe in heaven or hell, but if God can punish the unbelievers with carnal pain like fire and nails and nasty things that bite, then why is it that you do not believe He can reward the believer with carnal pleasures, like sex, fountains of milk and honey and golden palaces?
If the senses can be punished in Hellfire with pain then surely they can be titillated and rewarded in Paradise with pleasure, can’t they?
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
In Paradise, the pleasures may not be carnal but they will be spiritual and of the senses...
I don't know if you believe in heaven or hell, but if God can punish the unbelievers with carnal pain like fire and nails and nasty things that bite, then why is it that you do not believe He can reward the believer with carnal pleasures, like sex, fountains of milk and honey and golden palaces?
If the senses can be punished in Hellfire with pain then surely they can be titillated and rewarded in Paradise with pleasure, can't they?
^ Must have been a typo.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
And some men just don't think sex is so vulgar that it won't be there in paradise...sheesh...what's with this victorian opposition to sex? Heavens forbid you see the light and retain these ideas...lest you start running around with a cosmic chastity belt for all...
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
No it’s not…You will get it if you read the paragraph from the beginning…
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
I don't think sex is vulgar at all. It is one of the physical pleasures God has given us to enjoy here on this physical world with our physical bodies, all of which will be absent in a spiritual afterlife.
Still, no one has answered... is this belief of an afterlife of sex with perpetual virgins and other pleasures of the flesh the reason people follow their religion? If not for that carrot would there be no reason to please God?
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
I get it now.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
Boy that was quick.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
Of course there is…
It is scientifically and historically proven that following Allah :swt:'s commands not only elevates on spiritually and mentally but alleviates many of the social ills that plague societies…
Islam instills in a person a lot of qualities like peace, calm, harmony, tranquilility, courage, spirituality, a thirst for knowledge and following Islam recedes the effects of mental illnesses…
Those are just a few things which man attains by following Islam on this earth…There is reward for it in the afterlife too…
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
I don't know if you believe in heaven or hell, but if God can punish the unbelievers with carnal pain like fire and nails and nasty things that bite, then why is it that you do not believe He can reward the believer with carnal pleasures, like sex, fountains of milk and honey and golden palaces?
If the senses can be punished in Hellfire with pain then surely they can be titillated and rewarded in Paradise with pleasure, can't they?
I believe there is an afterlife for us all, and some version of a spiritual "heaven and hell" where our souls go for futher development, but not a physical place. Just as I don't believe we go to a physical paradaise I don't believe God would send our souls to eternal pain with fire and nails. I'd pack a life vest to float in rivers of milk and honey before I ever thought God could ever be that cruel and evil.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
I totally agree. And I would add that other religions also instill those qualities with beneficial outcomes.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
God is not cruel or evil…He is Just…
Do you think that a humble and pious man of God who dies by a bunker buster should receive the same level of afterlife as Hitler or Bush?
Obviously not…Wrongdoers will be punished severely and punishing the wrongdoer for his deeds is neither cruel nor evil as dogooders will be rewarded for the way they led their lives and that’s neither a fairy tale nor fiction…
As you sow, so shall you reap…It’s not cruel and evil…It’s Just…
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
Do you think that a humble and pious man of God who dies by a bunker buster should receive the same level of afterlife as Hitler or Bush?
Obviously not...Wrongdoers will be punished severely and punishing the wrongdoer for his deeds is neither cruel nor evil as dogooders will be rewarded for the way they led their lives and that's neither a fairy tale nor fiction...
As you sow, so shall you reap...It's not cruel and evil...It's Just...
It's a question of extremes. The "hellfire and torture vs. eternal virgin buffet" scenario is simplistic. Yes, surely there are levels of 'punishment' and 'reward', but to explain it in such simple, human, non-spiritual terms is too simplistic and a parable intended for consumption by the simplistic. To scare them and to lure them in terms they can understand and fits their selfish desires.
No one knows what we will face (how could we possibly comprehend such matters, and as far as I know, no one has made it back), but the God I worship, love and admire would not consider eternal flesh fire as "justice". It's convenient to use extreme examples such Hitler, but too many fundamentalists believe good, pious people of other faiths are doomed to such torture. Sorry, that's not justice - it's cruel and barbaric - 2 words I would never associate with God.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
Still, no one has answered... is this belief of an afterlife of sex with perpetual virgins and other pleasures of the flesh the reason people follow their religion?
Answer: no.
Question: Allegory aside (again)...why not question the very idea of a pleasant afterlife, then? Spiritual or not? Who cares if the pleasures are 'spiritual' or 'physical' ?
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
Yes, I do accept my mistakes unlike some other people :halo: . Would you like to share your thoughts on life after death and 72 hoors? Or you are just too happy thinking about it to think of anything else.
Re: Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
This gora at work asked me a question if i could prove that if there is life after death. We were just having a conversation and he came up with this question and I asked me if I could make him belive that thee is life after death. According to him its an evalution, and after death nothing happens; the human body just don't work. If anyone could help me with this please.
If you are having this conversation with him now it is in present. If you could show him proof it is also in present (at that moment). But discussion is about life after death and both of you are alive in present not in future. If he was asking to a dead person (who was alive in past) he (gora) could have got his answer and proof.