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in her life. I think she got too sucked up into her new life that she just forgot to have me baptized.</p><p id="1293">We never really talk about it, even though I know she regrets it because she is having a tough time convincing me that I have to believe for us to see each other in heaven.</p><p id="1207">This all came to the surface this week because of my writing. She said reading the bible and knowing the verses would add richness and depth to my work. I don’t doubt her because I think the better your writing becomes, the more you know.</p><p id="7460">But reading the bible seems too arduous at this point. I need more time to read. I have some three thousand-plus stories from Medium that I know I’ll read someday! I can’t even get through my <i>Time</i> magazine, let alone a book these days. And I want to read the article about Taylor Swift.</p><p id="eca3">My working theory about making it to heaven has been that I will be selected for everlasting life as long as I’m a good person and kind to my fellow man.</p><blockquote id="6225"><p>“Nope, that’s not the way it works,” <i>said Mom.</i> “You have to believe.”</p></blockquote><p id="316c">Christianity is not the only religion on this earth, so what about all the other religions and their Gods and deities? Why are Christians who believe the chosen ones? I thought the Jews were the chosen ones. As Joan Rivers always said, “Am I wrong?” Am I?</p><p id="f2bc">Tell me, because I really need to know. I believe that Jesus Christ was a real person. I don’t doubt the bible <i>per se</i>. But I think there’s more evidence pointing to evolution than creationism.</p><p id="a743">If Christianity is THE way, what’s the excuse for allowing Donald Trump in? Whether he was baptized or not, he and his followers are poor examples of Christians. Every other thing that comes out of this mouth is a lie, for crying out loud! He can <i>not</i> be allowed into the club!</p><p id="71da">I’m so confused. Have any of you ever been to heaven? Is there a heaven? How was it? Did you get to see all of your dead friends and relatives? I’m not trying to make fun of it. But I need proof beyond a willing suspension of disbelief.</p><p id="60d1">I have a very good friend

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who lives near me who is fun as heck, and she is a big believer. She tries to go to church every week, but one thing she never misses is bible study. There is also the social aspect to it.</p><p id="d567">I’m not a bad person. Given my current thought process, though, it seems the best I can hope for is purgatory. But Mom actually said I would burn in hell if I did not believe. That scares the shit out of me.</p><p id="786c">Questions? Comments?? Suggestions???</p><p id="cfe4">If it’s Texas that intrigued you, here’s how much I’m in love with the Lone Star State:</p><div id="98bc" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/once-a-texan-not-always-a-texan-d516038d0dba"> <div> <div> <h2>Once a Texan, Not Always A Texan</h2> <div><h3>I converted!</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*JF21wDMsqpbN7yFgX-0ABQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="b435" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/what-would-ann-richards-do-91ebdb9392ab"> <div> <div> <h2>What Would Ann Richards Do?</h2> <div><h3>White Republican Texan Males Would Run Scared</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*jOk0n4OwjwSwxF2P9bVNew.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="b69b"><i>Author’s Note: I have a 280-plus story back catalog of articles dealing with subjects I like to write about, and I hope you’ll find something that piques your interest. They include aviation, music, geography, gardening, pop culture, LGBTQ culture, The Southwest/Megadrought/The Colorado River, and my late son. I often weave my journey into each. It’s worth $5/month or$ 50/year to read stories from all the great writers on Medium.com. Consider it like your own magazine!</i></p></article></body>

Do I Have To Believe in JC And The Bible To Go To Heaven?

Is there a heaven? Because I need to know.

This person knows which way to hold the bible, as opposed to “45.” But it feels like “War and Peace” to me. How would I ever finish it? https://pixabay.com/photos/cross-holy-book-bible-reading-2598300/

Okay, you guys, I need you to weigh in.

I’m with my democratic, 91-year-old Mom again in West Texas as she will undergo a test tomorrow to determine the exact condition of her kidneys. (I always have to include the word “democrat” in some way because, Texas.)

But lately, our nightly talks have changed from politics to life and death.

It’s hard as she looks around the living room and points out who should get what. Tomorrow, after her procedure, she wants it all written down so I don’t forget. Which, knowing my memory, I will.

Maybe this will become a big nightmare, and she’ll be fine. Or she’ll be told she has stage 4 renal cancer and has three months to live. The former is wishful thinking on my part.

She is also very religious and has been a believer since she was a little girl. She is expecting to see me in heaven. But she says to do so, I have to believe in Jesus Christ as my savior.

I don’t know much about the baptism practices of the various Christian denominations. My Dad was Presbyterian, and my Mom is Southern Baptist but doesn’t subscribe to all of their ridiculous doctrines.

In our talks about religion, she has her red wine while I drink my whiskey rocks. However, the conversation is decidedly one-sided. That’s how much I know about the bible and Christianity because I was never baptized.

My sister was baptized at a young age. I was around two when Mom was in the process of divorcing Dad while being involved with and then marrying another man. It was a very tumultuous time in her life. I think she got too sucked up into her new life that she just forgot to have me baptized.

We never really talk about it, even though I know she regrets it because she is having a tough time convincing me that I have to believe for us to see each other in heaven.

This all came to the surface this week because of my writing. She said reading the bible and knowing the verses would add richness and depth to my work. I don’t doubt her because I think the better your writing becomes, the more you know.

But reading the bible seems too arduous at this point. I need more time to read. I have some three thousand-plus stories from Medium that I know I’ll read someday! I can’t even get through my Time magazine, let alone a book these days. And I want to read the article about Taylor Swift.

My working theory about making it to heaven has been that I will be selected for everlasting life as long as I’m a good person and kind to my fellow man.

“Nope, that’s not the way it works,” said Mom. “You have to believe.”

Christianity is not the only religion on this earth, so what about all the other religions and their Gods and deities? Why are Christians who believe the chosen ones? I thought the Jews were the chosen ones. As Joan Rivers always said, “Am I wrong?” Am I?

Tell me, because I really need to know. I believe that Jesus Christ was a real person. I don’t doubt the bible per se. But I think there’s more evidence pointing to evolution than creationism.

If Christianity is THE way, what’s the excuse for allowing Donald Trump in? Whether he was baptized or not, he and his followers are poor examples of Christians. Every other thing that comes out of this mouth is a lie, for crying out loud! He can not be allowed into the club!

I’m so confused. Have any of you ever been to heaven? Is there a heaven? How was it? Did you get to see all of your dead friends and relatives? I’m not trying to make fun of it. But I need proof beyond a willing suspension of disbelief.

I have a very good friend who lives near me who is fun as heck, and she is a big believer. She tries to go to church every week, but one thing she never misses is bible study. There is also the social aspect to it.

I’m not a bad person. Given my current thought process, though, it seems the best I can hope for is purgatory. But Mom actually said I would burn in hell if I did not believe. That scares the shit out of me.

Questions? Comments?? Suggestions???

If it’s Texas that intrigued you, here’s how much I’m in love with the Lone Star State:

Once a Texan, Not Always A Texan

I converted!

medium.com

What Would Ann Richards Do?

White Republican Texan Males Would Run Scared

medium.com

Author’s Note: I have a 280-plus story back catalog of articles dealing with subjects I like to write about, and I hope you’ll find something that piques your interest. They include aviation, music, geography, gardening, pop culture, LGBTQ culture, The Southwest/Megadrought/The Colorado River, and my late son. I often weave my journey into each. It’s worth $5/month or $50/year to read stories from all the great writers on Medium.com. Consider it like your own magazine!