Googling Heaven

Dear George,

When I was a kid, Skipper, Frankie, and I had many conversations about the existence of heaven.  They both were certain that heaven was up in the clouds, but I was more skeptical.  I felt sure that mosquitoes don’t go anywhere after you swat them, nor do turtles when run over by a car.  Why should things be any different for humans?  I put all questions about heaven out of my mind for the next seventy years.  However, now that I’m closer to an end-state, I find myself wondering again.  Does Heaven exist?  What is it like?  How do you get there?  Nowadays I gather almost all my factual knowledge from the internet (which I consider infallible).  Here are some questions I asked Google and the amazing answers I received.

How many Americans believe in heaven?  

Defining heaven as a place “where people who have led good lives are eternally rewarded,” the Pew Research Center (2015) found that 72% of Americans believe in heaven.  This includes 88% of Evangelical Protestants, 80% of Mainline Protestants, 85% of Catholics, 95% of Mormons, 40% of Jews, and 5% of Atheists.  (18)  [Note: #’s in parentheses refer to sources listed at the end.] 

Do Swedes believe in heaven?

In a cross-national study of 32 countries, 18% of Swedes reported believing in heaven.  (14) 

Does heaven actually exist?

Most of the 74 million websites addressing the question seem to conclude that heaven does exist, although Stephen Hawkins claims that heaven is a fairytale.  (23)  My senior citizen organization, AARP, convened a panel of 6 religious experts, and all 6 endorsed one or another version of heaven.  (1) 

Where is heaven located? 

I had trouble finding a definitive answer.  Billygraham.org  assures us, however, that heaven is “a literal place that is just as real as Los Angeles, London, or Algiers!”  However, the Bible doesn’t reveal exactly where it is.  (5) 

What does heaven look like?

Google offers many impressive views of heaven.  Here are a few.  (6, 8, 16)

How many people will go to heaven?

According to the Bible (Revelation 7:4), 144,000 will be resurrected to heavenly life.  (Considering the history of mankind, this is not that many.)  They will serve alongside Jesus as kings and priests for 1,000 years, forming a heavenly government and restoring mankind.  (16)

Can non-Christians go to heaven?

Majorities of Catholics (68%) and mainline Protestants (65%) say that some non-Christian religions can lead to eternal life.  Evangelical Christians (31%) are least likely to agree.  (11) 

Can bad people go to heaven?

According to harvest.org, it is incorrect to think that good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell.  Some “good” people will not make it to heaven because heaven is for forgiven people, not good people.  Likewise some “bad” people will go to heaven because they realized they were bad and asked God for forgiveness.  (12) 

Can serial killers go to heaven? 

Yes says the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  “God can forgive anyone who truly repents and puts their faith and trust in Christ for their salvation.”  (5) 

How many people go to hell? 

A contributor to jesus-is-savior.com has worked out the math, and about 90% of deceased people wind up going to hell.  (15) 

Do dogs and cats go to heaven 

Just about all knowledgeable sources agree that they do.  In fact, Pope Francis recently told a young boy whose dog has died that paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.  (22) 

Will heaven be boring? 

Some people apparently worry that after ten million years of prayer and worship heaven might become boring.  According to relevant websites, this is definitely not the case.  Drawing from biblical quotes, amazingfacts.org gives five reasons why heaven won’t be boring.  These are: we will plant and build; be surrounded by breathtaking nature; be reunited with loved ones; make millions of new friends; and visit face to face with our awesome God.  (2) 

What age will we be in heaven?

This is a difficult question because the Bible doesn’t directly address it.  Some say we will be 33 because that was Jesus’ age at the resurrection.  It is clear that we will have brand new bodies which do not die, age, or suffer.  Most likely we will have no age at all.  If we do have an age, it will be the last thing on our minds.  (9) 

Do people meet Jesus in heaven?

A YouTube video assures us that we will “sit across and face to face with Jesus.”  (25)

What do people do in heaven? 

Heaven, according to biblesprout.com, is a very active place — not just angels sitting around on clouds with harps and singing in choirs.  The top seven things to do in heaven are: learning; singing; worship; serving; leading; fellowship with others; and eating.  (4)  

What can people NOT do in heaven? 

A contributor named John Pleasnick scoured the Bible and discovered ten things that people can not do in heaven.  These are: evangelize; rebel against God; grieve; get married; have kids; be ignorant; hunt and kill stuff; die; be distracted in worship; and get bored.  (17) 

Will we be angels when we go to heaven?

Definitely not, says Inspiration MInistries.  Angels and humans are completely different creatures.  Just like Jesus after his resurrection, we will have physical bodies that are able to talk, eat, walk, and be touched.  (13) 

Will people be sick in heaven? 

Absolutely not, according to billygraham.org.  In heaven we will have new and perfect bodies — bodies that will never become weak or die.  (5) 

Are there old people in heaven?

No old people.  According to House to House/Heart to Heart, people in heaven never age.  Even after ten thousand years, people are just as youthful as on day one.  (5)

Do people get angry in heaven?

Billygraham.org reports that we will experience emotions like joy and love in heaven.  However, anger, bitterness, and jealousy come from our old self-centered nature, and this will be eliminated in heaven.  Likewise, we’ll be completely safe in heaven and thus won’t experience emotions like fear, worry, or anxiety.  (5)   

Is there TV in heaven? 

Most responders to Yahoo Answers say yes, but there’s not complete consensus.  Anon. says that only spiritual things are in heaven, thus no TV.  Evins says you can see anything you want in heaven including baseball games broadcast in Hebrew.  Martin S. points out that television wasn’t invented when the Bible was written, so there’s no clear answer.  (3) 

Do people have sex in heaven? 

Most experts agree wholeheartedly that there is sex in heaven.  According to the Christian Religious Institute, “there will be sexuality in heaven because heaven will personify enjoyment.”  (10) 

Is there beer in heaven?

According to the Catholic Herald in Milwaukee, “I’m sure if we asked, a cold mug would be provided for us now and then.”  (7)

Will there be roller coasters in heaven?

There is nothing sinful about rollercoasters so it’s not like they couldn’t be in heaven.  However we don’t need amusement park thrills in heaven.  The thrill of seeing God the Father far outweighs one’s first ride on Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Ohio.  (21) 

Did Richard Nixon go to heaven?

Unfortunately the internet doesn’t offer a clear answer to this question,  However, in a related matter, President Gerald Ford told an associate, “I know I will go to hell, because I pardoned Richard Nixon.”  (20)  

Will Donald Trump go to heaven?

Few experts have addressed this pressing question, although the mayor of Philadelphia has recently stated, “If Donald Trump ever has to go back where he came from, he’s going to have to go to hell.”  (24)

Will I go to heaven?

I thought Google might be squishy on this one, but ProProfs.com offers an 8-item quiz that gives a definite answer.  What I got: “Just continue on doing good deeds then for sure, you will go to heaven.”  All right! (19) 

Overall, here is what I got from my research:  Americans are certain that heaven exists, that it’s a physical place, and that it offers everything one could hope for for.  Swedes don’t agree with this at all (though they do believe in Valhalla).  As a Swedish-American, this leaves me in a quandary.

Love,

Dave

SOURCES:

(1) aarp.org, “Does Heaven Exist?”, July 20, 2011; 

(2) amazingfacts.org, “5 reasons heaven won’t be boring,” nd; 

(3) answers.yahoo.com, “Is there T.V. in heaven?”, nd; 

(4) biblesprout.com, “What is there to do in heaven?”, nd;   

(5) billygraham.org, “”Answers”, May 11, 2005; Nov. 1, 2010; Feb. 27, 2011; Oct. 23;  

(6) calebtrimble.com, “Heaven is painful”, June 20, 2014; 

(7) catholicherald.org, “No beer in heaven — or is there? Nov. 11, 2016; 

(8) christiscoming777.com, “Heaven”, nd; 

(9) compellingtruth.org, “In heaven, what age will everyone be?”, nd; 

(10) equip.org, “Will there be sex in heaven?”  Feb. 10, 2011; 

(11) factgsandtrends.net, “When we all get to heaven?  Apr. 25, 2018; 

(12) harvest.org, “Heaven Isn’t for ‘GoodWill Never Do in Heaven”, nd;   

(13) inspiration.org, “14 Questions and Answers About Heaven,” nd.  

(14) ipsos.com, “Perils of Perception 2017: Heaven, Hell, and God”, 2017; 

(15)  jesus-is-savior.com, “Billions of people are going to hell”, May 2003;  

(16) jw.org, “Who Go to Heaven?”, nd; 

(17) medium.com, “The Things You Can’t Do In Heaven,” May 10, 2018; 

(18) pewresearch.org, “Most Americans believe in heaven … and hell” Nov. 10, 2015; 

(19) proprofs.com, “Will I Go To Heaven?”, July 15, 2016; 

(20) rationalwiki.org, “Gerald Ford”, nd; 

(21) reasonhope.com, “Will there be rollercoasters in heaven?”, nd; 

(22) theconversation.com, “All dogs go to heaven”, May 29, 2017; 

(23) theguardian.com, “Stephen Hawking: ‘There is no heaven’, May 15, 2011; 

(24) thehill.com, “Philadelphia mayor: Trump would ‘got to hell’…” July 16, 2019; 

(25) youtube.com, “7 surprising things we will do in heaven that might shock you”, Mar. 13, 2018; 

A Pop Quiz for Passover and Easter

The parting of the Red Sea

Dear George,

We are right in the thick of Holy Week.  Passover begins tomorrow (Fri., Apr. 3), and Easter follows on Sunday (Apr. 5).  Growing up, our family was not very religious, but we did make a fuss about Easter.  It was the one time we were certain to attend the First Presbyterian Church service, and we decorated Easter eggs, searched the house for candy and treats from the Easter bunny, and enjoyed a special family dinner, sometimes a goose or turkey, prepared by my mother.  Katja’s family was more conscientious and held or attended a Passover seder each year.  Once we were married we did that occasionally ourselves, then attended seders at Hillel at for a number of years.  While I was only modestly interested in my youth, these traditions take on deeper interest as one gains perspective on life.  For the fun of it, here is a quiz to test one’s knowledge about Passover and Easter.  Readers are invited to see how they do.  For comparison purposes, Katja got 25 of 28, and I got 9.  You should be able to beat 9, but 25 is a high standard.  The answer key is given at the end, and the numbers in parentheses at the end of each item refer to the sources listed below from which the information was obtained. 

1.  Passover celebrates:

(a) the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt

(b) the first day of the Jewish New Year

(c) the miracle of a one-day supply of olive oil lasting eight days

(d) the day that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai  (1)

2.  Approximately how many years ago was Passover first celebrated?

(a) 770

(b) 2,200

(c) 3,300

(d) 5,500 (12)

3.  The Hebrew word for Passover is:

(a) Gerizim

(b) D'rash

(c) Pesach

(d) Shavuot  (12)

4.  Passover is also known as the Feast of:

(a) gefilte fish

(b) unleavened bread

(c) homentashen

(d) the Blood of the Lamb  (2)

5.  Passover lasts for:

(a) one day

(b) two days

(c) four or five days

(d) seven or eight days  (1)

6.  The English name "Pass over" refers to:

(a) the Jews passing over the Red Sea

(b) the Jews passing over the desert to Mt. Sinai

(c) God passing over the first-born males in Jewish homes

(d) the spirits of deceased Jews passing over to a better world   (12)

7.  The name of the Jewish religious text which gives the story of Passover is the:

(a) Haggadah

(b) Midrash

(c) Zohar

(d) Septuagint (1)

8.  Who is the most important figure in the Passover story?

(a) Abraham

(b) David

(c) Joshua

(d) Moses  (2)

9.  On which nights of Passover does the seder meal take place?

(a) The first two nights

(b) The last two nights

(c) The middle two nights

(d) The first and last night  (2)

10.  How many cups of wine are consumed during the seder?

(a) Two

(b) Four

(c) Six

(d) eight  (12)

11.  At the seder the youngest child asks, "Why is this night different from all other nights?"  This is followed by how many questions? 

(a) Four

(b) Six

(c) Eight

(d) Ten (12)

12.  Which of the following foods would definitely NOT be served at Passover?

(a) Rye bread with lox

(b) Latkes

(c) Salmon patties

(d) Sweet and sour meatballs  (6)

13.  On the seder table there is a symbolic fifth cup of wine for the Prophet:

(a) Isaac

(b) Solomon

(c) Elijah

(d) Ezekiel  (5)

14.  The afikoman is:

(a) a toy that is spun like a top

(b) an empty chair that is saved for a visitor

(c) a prayer that is offered before the drinking of wine

(d) a piece of matzo  (5)

15.  Easter celebrates:

(a) Christ’s birth

(b) Christ’s crucifixion

(c) Christ’s resurrection

(d) Christ’s ascension to Heaven (10)

16.  Easter is also known as:

(a) Paxal

(b) Pastal

(c) Patchuil

(d) Pascha  (10)

17.  According to the New Testament, Jesus ascended to Heaven:

(a) on the day of his resurrection

(b) on the day after his resurrection

(c) seven days after his resurrection

(d) forty days after his resurrection (9)

18.  Lent begins forty days before Easter on:

(a) Palm Sunday

(b) Ash Wednesday

(c) Maundy Thursday

(d) Fat Tuesday  (4)

19.  The Wednesday before Easter is called:

(a)  Spy Wednesday

(b) Penitence Wednesday

(c) Alms Wednesday

(d) Judgment Wednesday  (10)

20.  Maundy Thursday is important because it is the day on which:

(a) the Romans imprisoned Jesus

(b) Jesus returned from forty days in the wilderness

(c) Jesus held the Last Supper with his disciples

(d) Judas betrayed Jesus  (3)

21.  Many historians and scholars believe that the word "Easter" derives from Estre, an Anglo Saxon goddess of:

(a) spiritual love

(b) spring and fertility

(c) faith and redemption

(d) life after death   (7)

22.  The Feast of Easter was well established in Christendom by the:

(a) first century

(b) second century

(c) ninth century

(d) fifteenth century  (8)

23.  Sunrise services on Easter Sunday morning commemorate:

(a) Mary Magdalene's arrival at the empty tomb

(b) the time of day of Jesus' return to life

(c) the beginning of the day of Jesus' crucifixion

(d) Jesus' ascension to Heaven  (7)

24.  The Easter egg is known as a symbol of:

(a) God’s presence in nature

(b) the Last Supper

(c) the Afterlife

(d) the empty tomb of Jesus  (10) 

25.  What flower associated with Easter is a symbol of the Resurrection?

(a) The hyacinth

(b) The lily

(c) The azalea

(d) The daffodil  (10)

26.  In many Catholic churches Good Friday services begin at the precise time that Jesus is believed to have died on the Cross, namely:

(a) high noon

(b) three o’clock

(c) six o’clock

(d) eight p.m.  (4)

27.  The most commonly served meat at Easter dinners in America is:

(a) ham

(b) turkey

(c) steak

(d) pork  (4)

28.  The tradition of the Easter Bunny bringing Easter eggs to children originated in the Middle Ages in:

(a) England

(b) France

(c) Germany

(d) Poland  (11)

The answer key is given below.  Some people will find this quiz easy, and some may find it harder. Passover and Easter, of course, are historically intertwined.  Pascha, the alternate name for Easter, was originally the name of Passover.  The Last Supper, which Jesus ate with his disciples before his crucifixion, was a Passover Seder.  The early Christians, many of whom had been brought up in a Jewish tradition, regarded Easter as a new version of Passover.  (8)  Even though I made up this quiz, I did pretty poorly.  Maybe I should brush up on my religious studies.

Love,

Dave

ANSWER KEY:

1.a.  Passover celebrates the exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt.

2.c.  Passover was first celebrated over 3,300 years ago.

3.c.  Pesach is the Hebrew word for Passover.

4.b.  Passover is also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

5.d.  Passover last for seven days in Israel and 8 days elsewhere.

6.c.  "Pass over" refers to God passing over Jewish homes when killing the first-born sons in Egypt.

7.a.  The Haggadah gives the story of Passover.

8.d.  Moses is the most important figure in the Passover story (even though he is mentioned only once in the Haggadah).

9.a.  The seder meal is held on the first two nights of Passover.

10.b.  Four cups of wine are consumed at various steps during the seder.

11.a.  The youngest child asks four questions  about the seder.

12.a.  Rye bread, because it is leavened, would never be served at Passover.

13.c.  The fifth cup of wine is for Elijah.

14.d.  The afikoman is a piece of matzo which is hidden for the children to find and is the last piece of food eaten at the seder. 

15.a.  Easter celebrates Christ's resurrection.

16.d.  Easter is also known as Pascha.

17.d.  Jesus ascended to Heaven forty days after his resurrection

18.b. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, named after the practice of placing ashes on the heads of participants.

19.a. The Wednesday before Easter is called Spy Wednesday because it is believed to be the day on which Judas decided to betray Jesus.

20.c.  Jesus and his disciples had the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday.

21.b.  Eostre was the pagan goddess of spring and fertility.

22.b.  Easter was well established by the second century. 

23.a.  Sunrise services commemorate Mary Magdalene's arrival at the empty tomb.

24.d.  The Easter egg is known as a symbol of the empty tomb of Jesus.

25.b.  The lily is a symbol of the Resurrection. 

26.b.  Jesus is believed to have died on the cross at three o'clock.

27.a.  Ham is the most commonly served meat at Easter.

28.c.  The Easter Bunny tradition is believed to have originated in Germany

Sources:

(1) www.chabad.org, “What is Passover?”;

(2)  www.happypassover.net, "Passover Trivia";

(3) www.history.com, "Easter";

(4)  www.holidays.net, “Did You Know?  Facts & Figures About the Holiday of Easter”;

(5) www.jewishappleseed.org, “Ten Important Passover Facts”;

(6) www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org, "Passover-Pesach";

(7) www.religionfacts.com, "What is Easter?";

(8) www.theholidayspot.com, “History of Easter”;  

(9) www.wikipedia.org, "Ascension of Jesus";

(10) www.wikipedia.org, “Easter”;

(11) www.wikipedia.org, “Easter bunny”;

(12) www.wikipedia.org, "Passover"