Believing could never be the only way what about sacrificing one's own life to save another or fighting a war to protect those you dont even know how about unconditional love since I love someone and nothing could possibly change that not even if she would take my life. I am fighting a war soley to protect one person to die for her holds no pain nor do I fear any torture or death itself. I am an american soldier NOT a terrorist jus so you know. There are other ways of getting to heaven, or whatever you may call it.
2006-08-14 04:33:58 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What you do is very admirable. I don't believe a person like that has anything to worry about. Do try not to die just yet though.
2006-08-14 04:41:42 · answer #1 · answered by t79a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, you being an American Soldier(thank you for being one). In a world where people are forced into service you chose to be in. I think that there are ways to get into heaven or what ever anyone may want to call it. I think if you try to live a good life and if you think about the person or persons gettting killed in war both on your side and not and realizing that they are doing the same as you then you may get into heaven. What I mean by doing the same as you is that they too are fighting for a cause-they left family, they left jobs and life to got out and fight. I think if you try to realize these things then you just might get in.
2006-08-14 11:41:11 · answer #2 · answered by hatingmsn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are on the right track. John 15:13, Jesus taught something very similar to what you are saying: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." And James teaches us that belief alone does not save, but true faith requires works. James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
Many of us do appreciate your sacrifice as a soldier. Keep up the good work!
2006-08-14 11:41:42 · answer #3 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just Johnny,
If you're hoping to "secure a decent afterlife" I can only address your question from the Christian standpoint. The Christian view, from the Word of Jesus, is to love, not to kill. Jesus Himself stopped his disciples from fighting to protect Him from being taken to His crucifixion. Jesus preached turning the other cheek. In the eyes of the Jesus there is never an excuse for violence against another human being. It is written that an example of the greatest love is the laying down of one's life to save another - but that is not the same thing as saying it is OK to be violent to save someone else. The difference is this:
Throwing oneself in front of a bullet to save someone is laying down your life to save another. Shooting another human being is TAKING a life.
I know this is a hard thing. A soldier is, by training, taught to kill. A soldier is taught to accomplish goals through violence. In purely practical, this-world terms the training a soldier receives is helpful to him or her. But that was not what you asked. You asked how to secure a decent afterlife.
To secure a decent afterlife, according to Christianity, violence is always, always wrong and participating in it is a sin. And according to Christian belief, all sin is equally bad and carries the same punishment - a one way trip to hell, which is surely not the afterlife you seek. The only way to a decent afterlife for a Christian is to repent your sins, accept Jesus as your savior, and strive in your heart and soul to follow His teachings. No matter how it is presented to a soldier, however, the soldier's trade is death and killing and it is completely counter to the teachings of Christ.
As the Son of God, Jesus could have stepped from the cross at any time and lain waste to his enemies. Remember, Jesus is part of the Holy Trinity. Had he chosen, as an incarnation of God, he could have done anything, including simply willing the heart of every Roman and Pharisee to stop instantly, causing the immediate death of an entire nation. Such would have been trivial for God. But He chose to show us what is expected of us with deeds, not words, so He suffered the torture and death of the crucifixion. He gave his life for others. He did not kill.
If you want a decent afterlife, and you are a Christian, every moment you spend doing anything other than trying to live as Christ taught is speeding you down the road to hell and is therefore counter to what you say you want.
2006-08-14 11:47:51 · answer #4 · answered by Bright Future Penguin 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Man has two duties in this world to accomplish and one without another is not recommended for most. The first duty is a spiritual duty to build a strong faith in God by understanding His existence and our loving relationship with him trough activities that please him. Only by doing this we will be able to see other living entities as the creatures of God and develop a feeling that all humanity belong to one spiritual, God's family where there is place for unity in diversity.
After this realization one can perfectly carry out his particular material duty in society for example regarding your is the protection of people's peace; freedom of choice of religion; wisdom etc. Are you doing that?
Hare Krishna
2006-08-14 11:46:50 · answer #5 · answered by Nitai 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are doing the right thing. dying for others, or one, is exactly what jesus christ did for all of us. embrace christ and that void will be filled here on earth, and you will experience afterlife in heaven. and remember the people that you are fighting to protect are known by christ. so essentially you are doing his work here on earth.
2006-08-14 11:41:08 · answer #6 · answered by Ric 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one has an answer to that question! No one has ever come back to tell us!
Just do the best you can!
2006-08-14 11:38:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get real dude!!! there is NO AFTERLIFE!!
i
2006-08-14 11:37:22 · answer #8 · answered by shoby_shoby2003 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋