Once again, we are reminded that we are better most of the time than our religions. Or at least some of them. It seems that researchers at the Pew Institute can again report that Americans by and large believe that good folks go to heaven without regard to their religious affiliation. And even the non-believer, stands a good chance of getting the shock of a lifetime, or deathtime as the case may be and meeting his Maker in the heavens.
Evangelists, those right wing cuties, were in a tither over this result, and so Pew did it again, being even more careful not to mislead the thoughtless public. Again, the same result. And, people did not limit their largess in hope to just the major or minor Christian faiths. They said that folks who are goodly in behavior regardless of their affiliation were so blessed. Yep, and even those ungodly folks the nonbelievers stood a good chance as well.
While many of our mainline faiths tend to point out that they are probably the exclusive venue for transport to heavenly paradise, we the actual congregation, seem to think otherwise. This is good news to God no doubt, who reads these polls with a tad of cynicism no doubt. Jesus, is slapping hands among the saints and saying “I told ya so, these folks are a damn sight smarter than expected.”
It seems that people who meet nice people tend to think that it would be, well criminal if not unfair if God let such silly things as denominations and liturgical differences define who would suffer in the sulfur and brimstone and those who won’t. I mean if Gandhi can’t make it into heaven, what hope is there for me? American’s are generous like that.
Better yet, 61% think that the Bible is something other than the “literal” word of God. Most have kinda figured that God could write way better than the bible if he were so inclined. They can see it as inspired maybe, but definitely the work of human hands. That’s a good thing too in my estimation.
It all goes to show you that in religion, as in most things, people are way smarter than the folks who tend to want to lead them. It is food for thought, and might convince you that your voice is valuable out there in whatever arena you care to join. You may know more than you think!