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

MawsRosie, the cleverest post so far.
😃 😀

They are an import I can do without.

An import from where? They are pagan and were used by Druids, Celts and also by the Romans. They represented victory and good luck. An ancient tradition which was incorporated into the Christian religion. The holly representing the crown of thorns and the red berries the blood of Christ.

The Victorians popularised them again. They were hung on front doors to ward off evil spirits, the evergreen represents everlasting life and also the promise of spring.

Franbern I am bewildered too.

Do you really think Christians only do good deeds to be rewarded in heaven?

The reasons we pray to prevent our loved ones going to heaven is because we want them here on earth.
If someone is very ill and suffering then it is perfectly usual to pray for their release.

In the words of St Ignatius of Loyola “He who carries God in his heart bears Heaven with him wherever he goes”

Heaven starts in the soul.

I do know how much of the celebrations for Christmas come from other religions, many much earlier than Christianity and assume that the Wreath rather like the Christmas Log, mistletoe, etc is actually pagan
I have asked this question of many people and never received any sort of proper answer

Google is your friend 🙂

Many pagan beliefs were incorporated into Christianity.
However, mistletoe is not Christian, it is purely pagan.

Cannot really honestly say I have respect for any religion. Lot of mumbo jumbo to me, and virtually every type of religion has caused wars and death.

No, religion has not caused wars and death.
It is used by some men (and few women) as an excuse for their own warlike instincts and tribal hatreds.

*No, religion has not caused wars and death.
It is used by some men (and few women) as an excuse for their own warlike instincts and tribal hatreds.*

But religion itself is a human construct. It began as primitive humans tried to comprehend the incomprehensible. It became refined over millennia to specific conflicting doctrines that got tangled up with territory and power struggles.

The idea that religions exist per se and are corrupted by us wicked humans with our (?god-given) failings makes no sense.

Maremia

MawsRosie, the cleverest post so far.
😃 😀

Thank you Maremia - you "got it"

MawsRosie

Maremia

MawsRosie, the cleverest post so far.
😃 😀

Thank you Maremia - you "got it"

😁 Yes.

I have asked this question of many people and never received any sort of proper answer
All I can add is that you are obviously not asking the right people!
No shortage of answers here plus of course Google - so no mystery there

Luckygirl3

*No, religion has not caused wars and death.
It is used by some men (and few women) as an excuse for their own warlike instincts and tribal hatreds.*

But religion itself is a human construct. It began as primitive humans tried to comprehend the incomprehensible. It became refined over millennia to specific conflicting doctrines that got tangled up with territory and power struggles.

The idea that religions exist per se and are corrupted by us wicked humans with our (?god-given) failings makes no sense.

I did not say religion did not begin as a human construct to help us comprehend the incomprehensible.
Some religions are begun by fanatics, taking ancient beliefs to extremes for their own ends. Christianity is not based on hatred but on love for one another.

Yes, religions can be and are used as an excuse by men for hatred of those who do not share the exact same beliefs as them.

Joshua and Jesus are the same.
Franbern is correct in using the name.

Aldom

*Joshua and Jesus* are the same.
Franbern is correct in using the name.

No, they are not exactly the same.

They may have the same root but are not interchangeable.
In the Bible they are two entirely different people.

It's like saying Mary and Miriam are the same.

Religion causes wars.
What was the religion of the Nazis?

What religion was Stalin?

Joshua and Jesus are the same name but not the same person as JenniRen has said.

You cannot prove the existence of God and you cannot prove that he doesn't. Faith doesn't need physical proof.

The questions about what the religion of Stalin or the Nazis (actually Christian) is irrelevant to the issue that religions caused and are causing wars.

The one does not cancel out the other.

You can have two sources of evil things and that excuses neither.

Google says
'Human conflict is usually driven by power, land and politics rather than pure faith'

The Nazis were 'Christians' who said that Jesus was an Ayrian freedom fighter. So, they weren't Christian at all.

Ah but they believed they were - just as other Christians believe that they are - that their version is the correct one. Both believe they have god on their side. And that is where the danger lies.

If Jesus is not your God, then you cannot be Christian.
That actually is 'simple'.

Maremia

Religion causes wars.
What was the religion of the Nazis?

Evil people use religion(s). It is their own corrupted version of it.

Absolutely 💯

I thought the Nazis were aitheists

M0nica

I thought the Nazis were aitheists

No, many proclaimed to be Christians and banned atheism and any free thinking, although some of the hierarchy despised Christianity as it came from Judaism.

They kept the insignia Gott Mit Uns on military uniforms.

Dead people's brains decay. Is the mind a different substance from the brain ?