Is this condoning suicide? I have a hard time with church bill boards. Help please!?

Question

OK for today I saw the following sign outside a church:

"Housing shortage? Not in heaven."
Ok true my area is having a serious crisis with housing (people are living in tool sheds and in cars) but does anyone know what is being implied here? I don't get it.

Also yesterday I saw a sign that said "Even the snail made it to the ark"
Sorry but I don't get the point of this one either.

A little assistance here please. Thanks

OK maybe someone would clarify how the "Housing shortage" one actually helps address the situation?

Answer 1

Apparently the local church is trying to relate to the current events of your community and show that despite the negative circumstances we find ourselves in on earth, we always have the hope of a perfect eternity in heaven.
Back during the gas rationing days of the 80's, there was a Christian song that I think Hoyt Axton wrote called "No Shortage"...the gist of it was that regardless of all the shortages of fuel, food supplies, etc., there was "no shortage on God's love". It's meant to be hopeful, not pushing suicide!!
For the Christian, sometimes knowing that we are someday going to "a better place" is a healing way to cope with adversity and tragedy that is hard to explain or overcome in this life.

The one about the snail I think means something to the effect that all creatures are precious in His sight and we don't have to be physically (or mentally) quick to be included in His grace.

The little slogans can be effective ministry tools to get people to think about spiritual things as they are driving by, but I admit some of them must seem hoky to non-believers with a totally different worldview and mindset. I think many of them involve "you had to be there" humor or profundity and are most effective in communicating with other Christians.

Answer 2

Assalamu Alikum Wa Rahmatu Allahi Wa Baraku, I like your point of view very much and I really admire the way you’ve done the research on this and I pray that Allah keep you very keen to know the right thing to do. There’s defiantly a very trusted opinion that says it’s ok to do this if it’s the only way to fight someone who have literally raped our women and took our homes. I believe that generally the answer to this question cannot be directly found in Quran or Sunnah simply because suicide bombing was not possible by the time Quran and Sunna where written, so deciding whether it’s condoned or condemned can only be deduced by measuring this act against similar acts that happened during Al Rasol’s life and certainly this has to be done by someone who is specialized in Islamic Fatwa. Personally I think that the normal form of war Allah has permitted is an organized war which is permitted either to defend our selves against attach or to spread the word of Allah. Here we have to be very careful because what’s happening to Muslims now is not be cause of our enemy’s ruthlessness but it’s because we’re really very far away from real Islam. So I think before thinking about suicide bombing or even war we have to attack our greatest enemy first and that’s being away from Islam, this is the real cause of the humiliation we’re currently subjected to. I also like to say that in some situations it has been permitted to kill an enemy of Islam not during the war but else by any possible means, an example of this was when a Jew wrote an abusing poetry against our mother Aisha, Al Rasoul then gave an permission to anybody to kill that guy if he can. And some times this was done is a great deal of risks that it was not a real suicide it was very close to suicide. Though my opinion doesn’t represent an expert Islamic opinion but the point I’m trying to make here is that suicide bombing is not and will never be the solution to Muslim problems but the real solution for Muslims to go back to real Islam and apply it. Paryers, Hani

Answer 3

I don't think that it is condoning suicide, so much as it's playing up reasons to turn to church and therefore go to heaven. It seems like it is saying that even though things don't always go right here on earth, that heaven has riches and no worries.

As far as the snail made it to the ark, I interpret it as saying even the one with difficulties can persevere.

Answer 4

Somebody is poor at phrasing the messages. They are telling you that if you come to church, you will get the opportunity to go to heaven. They just were not giving enough of a message that should have been simple to understand. The snail was about no matter how long you take to find religion , better late than never.

Answer 5

I take it you live in the USA?
How ol is the USA how long has any church existed in the USA.
I live in the UK and I don't get our Church bill boards so don't worry about it.
Did that bill board say the only reason the snail made it was to feed the hedhogs.
We are all around for a reason.
I on't think even religeon gets why.

Answer 6

no it's not condoning suicide...

it's saying...pretty much that no matter what is goin on here on earth you will have a place in heaven when you get there... not saying go kill urself and the other one Even the snail made it to the ark meaning no matter how small or insignificant a person may think them selves to be... God will accept you for who you are and love u just the same...

Answer 7

I think someone is trying to be "cute" with the signs, but to me, the first one says that there is always room for one more soul in Heaven. It is encouraging people to turn to God in their times of trouble.

The other one tells me it is never too late to accept the gift of salvation from God. Snails are the symbol of slowness, but even the snail got to the reward, just like any unbeliever who is slow to accept the Gospel.

Answer 8

No, that sign wasn't written to condone or even suggest suicide. It expresses their belief that there's room for everyone who believes in God in heaven (when they die of natural causes.) It is not a suggestion to go kill yourself if you can't get a house.

"Even the snail made it to the ark," means that it's not speed or being first that's important--achieving your goal is.

Answer 9

Most church bulletin board slogans that I have seen are obviously created by less than creative people, but I feel the same way about most religious sermons, regardless of the religious sect.

The only "minister" I've ever admired is Reverand Leroy (one of Flip Wilson's comic characters) and his church of What's Happening Now? The others mean well, I'm sure, but just not inspirational enough for me.

Answer 10

God prompted the snail to make it too the ark. Noah did not go anywhere to get not one animal.They obeyed the word of God. Funny even and animal does exactly what God tell him to do without question. Walked past a human and in to the boat. God told them to eat sleep and behave. So they did. God had plans for them and made plans for their voyage. They trusted the word of God. Noah was a man of God. He heard the word of God and did it even if others laughed at him. Some mocked him but he kept right on moving.