Cre8orBuzz is really starting to get busy! I guess if you think about it, everyone has prayer requests and praises. I am unbelievably happy that Buzzers feel very comfortable with sharing these prayer requests with (almost) complete strangers! Maybe in the big scheme of life this is one of the best ways to ask for prayer. We have committed to keeping the private conversations private unless you wish it to be shared.

Here is the conversation we had this week that asks the most important question anyone could ever inquire about.

Mrs. 4444 wrote: This seems like an appropriate blogpost for this page, so I'm sending it. I'm not sure what you'll want to do with it, but I do need to say it, so here goes. (I hope you can find a place for people to respond to this.)

I went to a funeral today of a dear friend who did not believe in God. She was one of the most cynical people you'd ever meet, but she was generous and good to me. I'm Catholic, but when I heard the priest's talk this morning, it made me mad to hear him say, "The grieving should be comforted to know that Ellen is in God's arms now; she is experiencing God's eternal promise and is no longer in pain." Honestly, Father, no she isn't; she's just dead.

Man, I know that sounds terrible, but you can't just say, "She's in Heaven now," to make everyone feel better, because as I see it, Heaven is a pretty special place, and not everyone gets to go there. And yes, I'm sure she could have met God in her final hours and accepted Jesus as her savior, but I seriously doubt it. Besides, keeping the Catholic beliefs in mind, what good is "Judgement Day" if you get to go straight to God as soon as you die?

My belief about Ellen's death was strengthened by a story I heard this week about how a few months ago, she had a massive heart attack and was dead for 10 minutes, until paramedics arrived and brought her back. When asked by those closest to her what she experienced during those 10 minutes, she stated that she remembered none of it. That kind of makes me think that she is indeed just dead. (Or that maybe what she saw wasn't good.)

I'm okay with thinking Ellen is just gone. It does make it a little harder to say goodbye; knowing that I'll never see her again. That's okay with me. I just think it's sad.

What do you think? What happens to people who die without faith?

Cre8orBuzz initial response: Okay, I agree with most of your point. Unfortunately I don't know how to sugarcoat this answer, but this is what the Bible says very clearly. I think it's Mark chapter 16 the second half where the rich dude ate Prime Rib and the poor dude Lazarus ate crumbs off the table and the dogs licked his sores. When they died the rich dude was tormented so much (gotta look it up to see if the Bible called it hell or hades or whatever) that he looked up and saw Lazarus in Abraham's bosom (heaven) and begged for him to dip his finger in water to cool his tongue. There is never any travel between the two places so it was not allowed. Then the rich dude asked if he could go back to tell his friends and relatives about how horrible hell was. Once again he was told it was not allowed. The teachings are out there to show us how to go to heaven. If we don't listen, we don't just die, we go to hell.

That's the best summary of a story where Jesus explains both heaven and hell. There's also many references to lake of fire and gnashing of teeth. Doesn't sound like "just dead" to me.

I in no way want to hurt you, but you asked the most real question I think anyone has ever asked me, and I feel obligated to give you a real answer. I'm sorry this applies to such a close friend of yours. I think many people are asking the same question. I won't post this for open discussion without your permission.

Thanks for being real.

Scott

Cre8orBuzz follo-up response:

Hey, I was wrong. It is in Luke chapter 16 verses 19-31 where the Rich Man and Lazarus are explained by Jesus:

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, "Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire."

But Abraham replied, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us."

He answered, "Then I beg you , father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment."

Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them."

"No, father Abraham," he said, "but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent."

He said to him, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."

I was thinking it was Mark chapter 16, but I was incorrect. I guess I need to check my facts first next time!

Scott

Mrs. 4444: Scott, I am a very direct person, so I appreciate your direct answer. I know I'm not going to hell, so I've just resigned myself that I won't be seeing Ellen again, and that's okay with me, even though it's sad. She was stubborn and rejected attempts to lead her to God. Thanks for your honest reply.

By all means, post away! (my original message and your reply, if you like).

Feel free to ask any follow-up questions. It doesn't get more REAL than this!