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The ChristadelphiansTheir name is taken from the Greek in Hebrews 2:11 which translates to "brethren of Christ." They believe that individuals who have died without hearing the Gospel will remain dead, without consciousness forever. They are to be annihilated at death. There is a division within the group:
Belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, repentance and baptism are all required to be saved. Sponsored link: Jehovah's WitnessesMembers of The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (WTS) believe that Hell does not exist. They interpret Hell symbolically as the "common grave of mankind." Most people simply cease to exist at death; they are annihilated, and do not continue to exist in any form. The Heavenly Kingdom was established in 1914 CE. A "little flock" or "Anointed Class" of about 135,400 people currently inhabits Heaven. Another 8,600 are still alive at the present time; will also spend eternity with God at a later date. The battle of Armageddon will start soon. Jesus, under Jehovah's divine rage, will execute vengeance upon the rest of Christendom and followers of "Babylon the Great" (other religions). After the world is purified, a theocracy "God's Kingdom" will be established on earth for 1000 years. Those who survive Armageddon, the "other sheep," will live in peace in the newly created utopia -- a paradise on earth. They will be joined by the worthy dead who have been resurrected. After 1000 years of God's Kingdom, Satan, his demon forces and all those rebellious ones who turn against God will be finally destroyed. In order to be saved, a person should:
MormonsMembers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that not one, but three heavens exist:
Individuals will learn and progress within the Kingdom to which they are assigned at death. However, with the exception of those in Hell, they are not allowed to transfer to the next higher level. (D&C 76:70-107) Couples who are not sealed (married in a Mormon temple) will be automatically divorced at death and spend eternity as single individuals. Hell exists, but very few people will stay there forever. Most will eventually "pass into the telestial kingdom; the balance, cursed as 'sons of perdition', will be consigned to partake of endless wo [sic] with the devil and his [fallen] angels." (Doctrines and Covenants", 76:84). Sons of perdition have been defined as once devout Mormons who have become apostates by rejecting God's truth and have left the LDS church. This appears to be the official teaching of the church. Other Mormons have a broader definition and include persons who have knowingly committed a very serious sins and have not repented and sought God's forgiveness -- sins like murder and pre-marital sex. All will be resurrected. Their belief in Universal Resurrection states that "the unbeliever, the heathen and the child who dies before reaching the years of discretion" will all be brought back to life. (Articles of Faith, Page 85). Additional benefits beyond simple resurrection will be gained by those who do good works. Seventh Day Adventists:The Seventy-Day Adventists believe in the traditional concept of Heaven and Hell. However, they do not believe that Hell is a place of eternal punishment "with sinners screaming in agony without end." They view Hell as a place where the unsaved will be burned up, reduced to ashes, and annihilated. They cite Biblical verses to show that the "'everlasting' in 'everlasting hell' means 'as long as there is something to burn in hell.' Our God is a loving God and to portray sinners as screaming in agony forever and ever does not portray God in such light." 1 Twelve Tribes Communities:The Twelve Tribes live in in communities, largely on the east coast of North America. They have been a favorite target of the Anti-Cult Movement in the past. Their beliefs about life-after-death, which they call the "Three Eternal Destinies of Man," are based on two fundamental beliefs:
Their view of divine judgment divides humanity into three groups, each with their own unique destiny in accordance with their behavior while on earth. Their beliefs are based on Revelation 22:11, as well as Matthew 25:31-46, John 5:25-29, and Romans 2:6-16.
Unity School of Christianity:Unity is an unusually inclusive faith group and welcomes diversity of belief. Rather than looking upon heaven as a place "up there" to be experienced as a reward after death, Unity conceives of heaven as expressed by Jesus: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand", and "The kingdom of God is in the midst of (within) you". Their founder, Charles Fillmore, defined it as "a state of consciousness in which the soul and the body are in harmony with Divine Mind". One does not have to wait until they die. Heaven can thus be enjoyed at any time through prayer. Through proper technique, attitude and receptivity one can elevate our personal consciousness to a heavenly state. The Unity Church does not conceive hell to be a place of eternal torment in which people are eternally punished with fire because of their beliefs and/or actions during life. It is not a place to go to after death. Rather it is a state of consciousness to be suffered here on earth. Charles Fillmore wrote: "One does not have to die in order to go to hell, any more than one has to die to get to heaven. Both are states of mind and conditions, which people experience as a direct outworking of their thoughts, beliefs, words, and acts. If one's mental processes are out of harmony with the law of man's [sic] being, they result in trouble and sorrow; mental as well as bodily anguish overtakes one, and this is hell". Some members believe in a form of reincarnation called "transmigration of the
soul." After death the soul is believed to leave the body, and to live again in
another human body. This is/was a common belief among: 2019-MAR: An Ecuadorian woman tells of her visit to Hell:From time to time, a few children, youths and adults have claimed that they have visited Heaven. Rarely, individuals will describe their visit to Hell. Angelical Elizabeth Zambrno Mora, 18, is one who has written a book about her experiences. She says that she underwent a lengthy fasting, had died for 23 hours, was taken by Jesus to visit Heaven and Hell, and returned alive to Earth. She met Michael Jackson, Pope John Paul II, the American singer-songwriter Selena, and other famouse people being tormented in Hell. Jesus allegedly told her that if people surrendered to him, that they would rest in Heaven. 9,10
References:The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
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Consultants on Religious Tolerance
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