Lisa Miller's new book
From "The Lovely Bones" to "What Dreams May Come," our popular conception of heaven is becoming increasingly beautiful and irreligious.
We talk to Lisa Miller, Religion Editor at Newsweek Magazine and author of the new book "Heaven: Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife." She joins us with a look at changing conceptions of heaven through the years. And she tells us that this is a personal story as well.
Today's Takeaway: Over 50 and Unemployed, Texting in Class, The Future of Yemen, and Why It's So Hard to End Poverty in America
Today's Takeaway: Dharun Ravi, NATO Summit, David McCullough, Chen Guangcheng and Unemployment for Older Americans
Why Texting in Class Might Actually Be a Good Thing
Why Increased Immigration is the Solution for America's Ailing Economy
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
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Comments [14]
Heaven? That's easy...Sleeping in on a Sunday...then waking up to healthy, happy children, the smell of coffee brewing, the sounds of birds singing.
Oh...you meant in a spiritual sense?
Heaven is where God resides, and Angels dwell.
Some people believe that 'all good people' make it to this Heaven, but interestingly enough, John The Baptist didn't make it and neither did King David, both of whom were truly good men. (I can't make this stuff up...see Acts 2:34 and Matt 11:11)
Hmmm...kinda makes y'think eh? (not to worry...there's a good reason why they didn't get there...)
Heaven is...
the fulfillment of all that the human spirit cries out for.
Biblical faith is believing in the promises of God.
Heaven is a biblical place according to the Bible. I chose to believe that God tells us we will be with Him after death if we believe on His statement that God justifies the ungodly.
Can i fully comprehend the place where I will be, no, but I do believe that what we try to describe as Heaven which is actually to be in the presence of Gods love it sufficient
Would it ever occur to the hosts to point out the folly of believing in the existence of something in the absence of any evidence whatsoever?
The mindlessness of the topic matches the mindlessness of its treatment on this show.
Heaven would be never having to listen to other people's spiritual or religious mumbo-jumbo again.
I think of heaven as a state of mind...like the idea of enlightenment.
Talking Heads said it best - Our song keeps playing, our kiss is never over.
Heaven is "Nearness to God"
heaven is a place where nothing ever happens. the ultimate koan
My idea of heaven is......we are are already here. This is heaven. Heaven and evil are not supernatural. We are all capable of creating heaven or hell right here in this life. I choose heaven. Celebrate life before death.
My idea of heaven is......we are are already here. This is heaven. Heaven and evil are not supernatural. We are all capable of creating heaven or hell right here in this life. I choose heaven. Celebrate life before death.
If the determination of who is saved and who is damned is made on Judgement Day, doesn't that mean that Heaven and Hell are empty until then?
...the peaceful rhythm of eternal things.
My idea of heaven is BLANK.
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