Heaven or Hell?

Ok, so here is the thing. I believe in a Creator, a Supreme Being. I would also like to believe that the time we spend on Earth is a process of learning and growth that takes us closer to becoming part of that Supreme Consciousness.

Now here comes the confusion. All religions speak of heaven and hell, right? I am trying to grasp these concepts, so please bear with me. On an intellectual level, I realize that this is the way one sets behavioural norms for society – do good, do right, do not harm…or else. But then there are such lucid descriptions of life after death in heaven and in hell.

Take Hinduism for instance. Heaven is this place filled with a pantheon of Gods, demigods and, for some reason, dancing girls (Apsaras). I suppose, one would need entertainment in heaven as well. So basically, all Hindus want to do good and do right so that after death they spend time with all these wonderful people in heaven. Not that they spend too much time there because they have to be reborn fairly quickly. So heaven must be more like a station where people get off one train and catch another. Same with hell, except there are no beautiful Apsaras. What do women do for entertainment, I wonder? Are there Apsars as well – meaning these gorgeous men in slinky clothes who will dance?

Then there’s Islam. From my limited understanding of the religion, heaven is this place where one is looked after and pampered by 72 vestal virgins. Again, not much for women to look forward to.

Then comes Christianity and again we have this description of the Pearly Gates opening onto this idyllic place. Hell is being slow-roasted in eternal flames. But then, Christianity also says that our souls have to wait till Judgment Day. When that day comes, the good souls will be separated from the sinners and taken to Heaven. Does that mean Christian heaven and hell are empty right now and God and Satan are also waiting for Judgment Day? Or am I missing something here?

It’s all very confusing. Firstly, they don’t really make these places women-friendly. Are there people already in Heaven or Hell or are these places under construction still or unoccupied. And, it seems that only human beings have souls. What about all the other animals? I refuse to believe that my dogs aren’t thinking, feeling beings. I see happiness, sadness, guilt, excitement in their eyes – doesn’t that mean a higher form of consciousness? Where do they go when they die? Does God not love all his creations equally?

I realize my understanding of all this is very limited and maybe that is the reason there is so much confusion. So far, the only thing that made any sense to me and gave me a sense of purpose for all of us being sent by God to Earth is that this is a process of learning and growth and each soul chooses the kind of life it wants to lead to maximize this learning. Each time a soul is reborn, it chooses what next it wants to experience in order to grow. This, to me, explains the suffering of innocent children and the undeserved happiness of some really nasty people. And the goal for all of us is to grow to becoming a part of that Supreme Consciousness, which I suppose some would call Nirvana.