2007-02-24 19:15:51 · 9 answers · asked by odband 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No.
The two major monotheistic religions which emphasize heaven and hell are Christianity and Islam.
Judaism and Taoism don't emphasize hell.
Some religions, like Buddhism, Hinduism, Baha'i faith, and others, describe hell more as a concept rather than a place.
In many other faith traditions, like Judaism there are "heaven-like" concepts or places.
2007-02-24 19:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by BurkaBabe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surprisingly, no. Many Eastern religions do not focus on the existence of heaven, hell, etc, but instead focus on ethical living (thus this requires the person to constantly be making decisions throughout their daily lives), philosophical thought, and practices geared towards helping one simply get off of the wheel of rebirth. There are some Western religions that also, past and present, de-emphasized the existence of heaven or hell, or at most...like Eastern religions...left that topic up to the individual to decide whether there was or was not such existences. The focus was on the here and now, living life right now and how you can live life in harmony with the world itself (the universe, nature, other people), etc and choosing ethical ways to act in each situation. Using philosophical thought, practices, rituals, mythology, etc was one way in which spiritual teachers tried to guide those who wished to listen towards knowing what was the right ethical choice....or at most the teachers might atleast train a person how to ask questions and make ethical decisions (right or wrong) for various situations. You need only look at the many stories from many religious traditions to see this. However there are some religions, or just branches and sects of some religions, that put a great deal of emphasis on the existence of heaven and/or heavenly states of existence. I think it might be fair to say that the number of religions in the world today that emphasize the existence of heaven is about equal to the number that don't place an emphasis, but rather leave the emphasis and decision as to whether there is or is not a heaven up to the individual.
2007-02-24 19:40:53 · answer #2 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Negative. I'm not too well versed on modern day religions except my roommate who was a seminarion and my own curiosities. I'm an ancient history major. The very first religion of mankind (Babylon, Sumeria, Ur before the introduction of dualism and polytheism.) actually believed that everyone regardless went to a place that sucked. Not necessarily hell, just sucked. That could have to do with thier difficult survivalist existence causing a pessimistic view of life and the afterlife. If you're afraid you could go to hell because you just don't konw the answers, then you are not alone. Historically religion has always been used as a ruling classes club against the citizenry. What better way to control a populace than to say that if they disobey, nay, even revolt and kill you, that they will go to hell when they die?
2007-02-24 19:28:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Christianity is the only religion that believes in heaven and hell. The overwhelming majority of people on the planet are NOT Christian.
2007-02-24 19:27:50 · answer #4 · answered by gelfling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in most religions - including christianity some people believe in heaven and hell, but not everyone. Most prophets did not teach about heaven and hell, but it seems to be a popular idea with the followers.
For example buddha taught nothing about god or heaven or hell, only how to be happy - and yet later buddhists created a whole sytem of different heavens and hells and gods etc.
Most of the christian ideas of heaven and hell probably came about in a similar way - when jesus talks about heaven he does not seem to be talking about a place you go when you die...
2007-02-24 19:35:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The following articles show what the Bible itself indicates about each of them ...
The Hereafter--Where Will It Be? :
- Earth--Just a Testing Ground?
- Eternal Happiness--In Heaven or on Earth?
http://watchtower.org/e/20001001/article_01.htm
What Has Happened to Hellfire?
- What Really Is Hell?
- - Life After Death?
- - Unending Torment or Common Grave?
- - Hellfire--All-Consuming?
- - Hell Emptied!
http://watchtower.org/e/20020715/article_01.htm
2007-02-24 19:23:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism avoids those concepts. It focuses on actions and consequences. The choices we make determine whether our lives are filled with sorrow or joy.
2007-02-24 19:31:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, some about life and some about how you are doin gnow is Hell if you are bad and if you are good your in heaven.
Also it's fact that Jesus talked more about money, and today's world is all about money.
2007-02-24 19:21:17 · answer #8 · answered by Ans2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Scientology doesn't. Are you feeling depressed?
2007-02-24 19:20:56 · answer #9 · answered by indieforcutie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋