Encouraging News

The title to the news item in the current Christian Century states: “Heaven accessible to many, Americans say.” I breathed a sigh of relief as I read this, knowing that I had been nurturing dark thoughts about the state of things, about our barky, insistent dog Katie, about drivers who ride my bumper while talking on cell phones, and other matters. I was being judgmental, ignoring the wisdom of “Judge not that ye be not judged,” as an older version of the gospels warns us. So this morning it was encouraging to read of a heaven so accessible to many that it was newsworthy.

Researchers recently polled US adults about who among us will get to heaven, and the results show that 54% of those polled believe that at least half of us average Americans will see St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. This figure reveals a difference from earlier polls, in that studies this time show that the dwellers in heavenly places will include not only Christians but those of other faiths. Of those responding, 72% say that at least half of the Christians among us will make it to heaven, while only 46% of Jews, 37% of Buddhists, and 34% of Muslims will get through the Gates. Researchers see these figures as indicating a higher level of religious tolerance, even though they still appear to be rather exclusive. Alas, the studies do not indicate what the criteria are for receiving this passport.

There is more to the article, but I was pleased to note that I have at least a 50-50 chance of some day sitting on one of those heavenly clouds, strumming my harp. Now if only I can ignore those mean thoughts I have, maybe my odds will improve.

The news embedded in this article would seem to show an increasing understanding and toleration of religious beliefs that will merit one’s acceptance into this heavenly realm. I suppose it is unnecessary to include in the study those who do not subscribe to any faith at all. Why would they choose to spend eternity with all those hymn singers, chanters, readers of scripture, and such when they did not so choose during their mortal existence?

Now my tongue-in-cheek attitude here may seem just a bit out of place when tackling such an ultimate question. It is a pervasive one, as can be seen in tracts lying around in public places that ask us, “Where will you spend eternity?” Often, an illustration of flames accompanies this question, indicating that there are really scary and unpleasant fates awaiting us if we don’t follow certain pathways and behaviors and beliefs. If our beliefs happen to veer sharply away from conventional or traditional systems we too may find ourselves at last standing on the outside looking in.

What is missing in this picture? What happened to the loving mercy of an inclusive God? Did I miss the instructions about passing judgment on our neighbor? I seem to have enough difficulty just keeping my own focus on Jesus’ teachings about the faithful life, without the distraction of deciding how well someone else’s score stands on such matters. I did read in this article, however, that 29% of those surveyed acknowledged having no opinion one way or the other as to the fate of the average American. I am not alone then, but remain in the minority on this issue.

The core measure it would seem in all this, if we follow not only the teachings of Jesus, but those of other major religions with similar guidelines, that we have received our orders: to love God with all that we are, and to love others just as much as we love ourselves. In fact, I hold that if we cannot love ourselves, as created in the image of God and worthy of love, then we have no understanding of what it means to love our neighbor. That means we know we have value in the sight of God, that we are no greater than human in our being, but we are no less either. It means we see all others as created by God, loved by God, and in the image of God that they, and we, carry within ourselves. To honor others is to honor God. To give ourselves honor means that we don’t credit ourselves or our actions with more than what we have been created to be, but also no less. Humility is a measuring stick for us. It helps us see ourselves in real, living color, no more, no less than what any human being is. It also helps us to recognize that all of creation has been fashioned out of a love that is unfathomable and worthy of respect.

The matter of who among us will then be rewarded with an eternity in the presence of God is not a judgment call we need to make. We follow Christ, we minister in his name to one another, and we leave the outcome to God. So be it.