If heaven is so wonderful, why do people pray to stop someone going there

What a bizarre post.

Our Pope is here to do good things on earth, it’s not so easy from heaven as I don’t think Elon has quite got there with the whole communications thing.

Also on a more serious note very many lovely GNetters prayed for someone I know who was going through an horrific illness, she was newly married and originally given a terminal diagnosis.
She is in remission and doing well.

I cannot ever imagine saying to her Mother/husband etc, I will pray for her death as I’ve heard it’s lovely up there.

Not everyone who prays believes
in an afterlife.
I sincerely hope the pope recovers.

Franbern: Surely, if the afterlife is such a wonderful place, prayers should be said for him to get there as soon as possible.

And that's more or less what the sisters at the convent where my aunt was a nun did when one of their own was dying - and are probably doing for the Pope now. I doubt whether they're actively praying for his death - that' feels like a rather facetious thought, to be honest (even for an old atheist like me) - but they do feel happiness because it's the culmination of a lifetime of faith, hope and belief.
When my aunt's best friend passed away, it was clearly a time of rejoicing for her, as she truly believed she had gone to a better place and a rewarding afterlife.
If one doesn't have that belief, then it's probably all too easy to mock, but that's how it works for believers and, in a sense, it's logical. That doesn't mean it's not bittersweet for the ones left behind, only that they're more happy for their sister than sad for themselves.

I think offering up prayers makes people feel that they are contributing in some way and it also show compassion and kindness. I send messages out to the universe for people with whom I am not in touch but to whom I wish well. (Wow! a couple of datives coming in there!)

If you believe, you will have ETERNITY to enjoy heaven, so why not have a few more years here?
Simple.

I know what you mean, but however religious a person may be the relatives and friends don’t want them to die too soon.

Maybe they're just praying that he makes a good recovery

If you believe in 'the other side' profoundly then what if it doesn't exist after all?

I can't prove it's non-existence but I haven't met anyone who can prove there is an afterlife.

But the possibility that we die and pass on to a bettter world seems to give comfort to many so I suppose it may be a positive.

Franbern

I really do not understand, am totally bewildered by all the prayers being said for the current Pope.

Surely, if the afterlife is such a wonderful place, prayers should be said for him to get there as soon as possible

Really, you're bewildered? You don't understand the concept of wanting anyone to have a long and healthy life on earth first?

Maremia If you believe, you will have ETERNITY to enjoy heaven, so why not have a few more years here?
Simple. exactly this, I agree.

I agree too Maremia, you put that very well.

Heaven is something you hope for after you die and that is what religion usually says.

Surely to hope to die would be tantamount to committing suicide.

Maremia

If you believe, you will have ETERNITY to enjoy heaven, so why not have a few more years here?
Simple.

I do not think it is simple at all. So many people have a few more miserable and painful years here when any benign (never mind supposedly good) deity would wish to take them to the awaiting heavenly bliss and relieve their suffering.

We are part of nature. Like all other creatures we are born, we live and then we die. The atoms of all living beings return to the cosmic soup.

Does prayer have a place? I think it does. During my OH's last illness some people said they were praying for us and I accepted that with a good grace as an expression of kindness and solidarity ... so that was a positive. But I had no expectation that their prayers were being listened to by a supernatural being who might feel even passingly inclined to help in any way.

Tim Minchin sums it all up for me in his song Thank You God. But if you are offended by challenges to religion or colourful language I would advise you do not look it up.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Not everyone is ill and suffering Luckygirl.
That is a whole separate issue.

Maremia

Not everyone is ill and suffering Luckygirl.
That is a whole separate issue.

Honestly you are totally missing the point.
The context of the thread is a man facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment... how can you possibly write thus:
*If you believe, you will have ETERNITY to enjoy heaven, so why not have a few more years here?
Simple.*
I cannot tell you how that lands with me and others who have and are dealing with life's harsh realities.

I am sorry to be blunt but these sort of simplistic and trite statements are precisely what people off religion. I respect your right to believe what you do and do not doubt these views are sincerely held, but please give a thought to how this might come across to some.

What an over reaction.
The Pope's operation was said to have been successful.
Why shouldn't he have more years on earth to continue with his mission?

Sad that you see this as an overreaction.

We are talking about the Pope, who is expected to make a good recovery.
Trying to explain to the OP, Franbern, why people of religion are praying for him to get well.
Are you saying people should not pray for the sick?

Smileless2012

I agree too Maremia, you put that very well.

Simply that, but maybe more important, not be in too much pain and that it be peaceful and loved?
My friend N's MiL is dying -days - and tho she believes she will go there it was sudden and she fought and was angry -in that case its praying with her.

I dont know what happens, I don't believe in an after life in the conventional sense, but believe there is something in a "returning from where we came" way inasmuch as humanity, whatever the religion, are all connected.

There has been research into prayer and found that people who are prayed for seem to make better recoveries. I found that research ages ago. I must try and find it again.

People who are prayed for are people with friends and family to share their pain and aid their recovery.

Franbern has not yet returned to comment and/or develop this theological conundrum.

That would be interesting Aveline.

NanaK54

Franbern, I can assure you, knows all about the pain of losing someone precious to an early death.