This question is inspired by The Brothers Karamazov authored by F. Dostoevsky. There are times when people suffer, yet there is surely a sense in which they are innocent. At the very least, people sometimes endure evil when it clearly is not their fault. For instance, a Christian may have his wallet stolen and be assaulted in the process. Is this suffering and other worse evils worth an eternity of bliss?
2007-04-09 11:04:22 · 8 answers · asked by sokrates 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
No, the Idea of eternal bliss, as heaven is popularly conceived, is a dumbing down of a complex idea.
Heaven was never meant to be "compensation" for the suffering of this life. And "bliss" is too subjective a term to be appropriately applied, people on drugs experience "bliss."
Heaven, what I assume you mean by "eternal bliss," is meant to be the true life to which this worldly life is merely the prologue, or starting scene.
2007-04-09 12:18:47 · answer #1 · answered by God Told me so, To My Face 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so, because I don't think you can put a price on justice, up to and including eternal bliss. I once read a short story called "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas". It was about a utopian town where everything is perfect, but when you live in this town, at about age 10 you are taken to a house where you are shown an innocent child who is locked in a closet, underfed, confined, and forced to sit still in his own feces. This child's suffering is what enables Omelas to be a utopia. Most people just accept that and try never to think about it again, but a few decide that this is not acceptable, and rather than live in the utopia at the price of this child's suffering, they leave it, never to be seen again.
(And not to nit pick or anything, but your example of the Christian doesn't really work- that Christian might also have been a domestic abuser or thief or any number of other things. There is no group or class of people that can be considered entirely virtuous, even if their principles are, because many people fail to live up to their own principles.)
2007-04-09 11:50:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Imagine being in a Heaven of eternal bliss. But knowing that your friends, neighbors, and probably your family is suffering the most horrible torment conveniently out of sight. What kind of person would be satisfied with this situation?
Only a monster.
Heroes are those who help others... even if the recipients don't always deserve it. The MOST charitable, noble, honest, and friendly people will arrive at Heaven with one request foremost: to be sent to Hell. There they can continue their work. There they can bring joy - or at least ease the suffering - of those most in need.
So if you ever get to Heaven, remember that. The people you most want to see will not be there. They will have moved on to better things. In Hell.
2007-04-09 12:22:15 · answer #3 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, if you really GET the eternity of bliss, it's a great deal.
If not, if it turns out that Buddhism or reincarnation are the true path, then you've been truly and fully gypped.
So be sure and read the find print to assure you didn't break the rules in one of those "fine print" clauses and are denied the bliss.
2007-04-09 11:14:42 · answer #4 · answered by Leal 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no. because the innocent have already endured suffering and it most likely wont be compensated by an eternity of bliss. also an eternity of bliss to you can be hell to me.
2007-04-09 11:52:24 · answer #5 · answered by Jennifer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There could be no sufficient repayment for what grow to be taken faraway from Black human beings. subsequently this question is moot. The centuries of conditioning and psychological injury brought about through what got here approximately during the Trans Atlantic Slave commerce can no longer in simple terms be paid away. Black human beings easily could desire to bury this theory. What we deserve it or no longer is beside the point. in actuality no person is going to place in writing us a examine for what take place to our ancestors through their ancestors. subsequently as Black human beings we could desire to return up with yet another plan. This maximum surely does not recommend that we could desire to consistently in simple terms forget approximately what occurred or how we've been given right here. Nor could desire to we ever permit every physique else think of that we've forgotten. We in simple terms could desire to return up with a distinctive plan and go in a distinctive path. we will not economic business enterprise our success on the benevolence of folk who through in super have had a love hate relationship with Black human beings for over 2000 years.
2016-12-08 22:34:31 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bliss as conceived by the Christians, is to me insufferably boring.
2007-04-09 11:13:01 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is very complex, but is ultimately answered by what is truly in a persons heart. You know what you have done. How do you feel about that?
2007-04-09 11:10:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋