(July 4, 2014 at 12:12 pm)whateverist Wrote: Well then I have to push it if I'm to understand the shape of it (your faith). If the factuality of the resurrection is optional for you, what about an afterlife? Would an interpretation of heaven and hell which revolved around states of mind in the living rather than a perpetual extension of consciousness beyond the grave fit with your theology? If not, do you see it as a tenable position for anyone who wants to keep their seat under the Christian portion of the theist tent?Ooh. Good one.
If the factuality of an afterlife affects anyone's life today, I don't think even Jesus would like that. I heard a story (from a priest, actually) about people who were told they were dying. Some were going to pray until it happened, some were going out on the town. A little girl sweeping an attic said she'd just keep doing what she was doing.
Sorry if this sounds preachy, but I believe that once we're gone, we continue to exist. Most theists do. How we continue to exist is up in the air. Is the angel-party heaven as supported as mine by the Bible? Yes. I personally just scrape the bare minimum from the angel-party heaven so I can make more sense to myself and to other people.
