NO, not an atheist just a struggling christian. But the scientific side of me tells me that there will not be many people in heaven if all those rules are requirements. Personally, I have a lot of hope that God understands my heart, so not worried about what you say but try to listen to other people's side of the story. What about you? Do you believe you have crossed all the "t's" and dotted all the "i's" .
Sometimes I think that God's heaven has been a total failure because it seems that men just do not want to love one another very much or very often and they are always asking for forgiveness and making mistakes. Does God really believe that these spirits will be different in Heaven? All I can say is Hades is or will be a busy place.
(depends on whether one's spirit goes there at time of death or when Jesus returns). Like you say, it is spiritual, but I have heard that Jesus body really rose into Heaven. So, who really knows but God and sometimes I feel that the happiness provided by him while we are on earth is enough if we follow Jesus teachings, and heaven will be extra.
Even scientists believe that the world is too orderly to not have a some sort of intelligence who originated the plan.
Although, my scientific self also tells me that the world is certainly a better place because of him. So, who knows, maybe heaven is possible, but most of people I know will probably not be there.
One question does man's spirit go directly to heaven at death if he qualifies or does everyone have to wait until Jesus returns?
I struggle every day with my faith. The longest distance in the universe is the 18 inches between the head and the heart. I’m a smart guy, and I ‘reasoned’ my way to disbelief many years ago. When my heart was opened and let in the Holy Spirit, I began to use my intellect to discover all that God has revealed to us. Read Frank Sheed’s “Theology and Sanity” A thinking man who rejects God is insane.
I hope I see my friends in heaven, but I know that many are called but few are chosen. The curse of free will – some of us choose not to listen to God’s revealed word.
I believe that death marks the separation of the body and soul. The soul continues to live on after death – it is immortal in nature and so it does not die when the body perishes. Although the judgment of the entire human race will take place at the end of time, each individual will be judged at the time of his or her death. Those who are united with God will be blessed in the Beatific Vision– being caught up in the vision of God as He is in Himself. On the other hand, death will mark the beginning of eternal damnation for those who have rejected salvation.