Bullshit About Death and Heaven

I came across a review of a recently published book that was written by an author who died some time ago. Since I haven’t read the book, I can’t comment on it. What really caught my interest, and is the subject of this post, is the first comment that was left in the comment thread:

Both Al and Normajean were officer colleagues, fellow bandsmen and dear friends. If ever Saints were taken ‘home’ too early, they were; perhaps God saw them as we did, a ‘couple’ and thought, even though only in their 40s, they ought to continue side by side….

What utter bullshit! The only thing this commenter wrote that I agree with is that Al and Normajean died far too young.

“Perhaps God saw them as we did, a ‘couple’…” That’s insulting to both of them. They were complete people in their own rights, not just X or Y’s “significant other.” Moreover, I was always taught that God saw people as individuals: each of us individually must stand before God’s Throne of Judgment, etc. So, which is it? Am I an individual in God’s eyes, or just the deacon’s significant other?

This leads to the second annoying idea, which is, “they ought to continue side by side…” This contradicts Jesus’ alleged teaching that “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” So, which is it? Is there marriage in heaven? Or, is this statement the result of someone trying to make sense of two tragic deaths? This question brings me to my last thought.

There is no good reason to believe that Al and Normajean were saints who were ‘taken home’ too early. There is no evidence that there is any god at all, let alone the Christian Bible-god, let alone a heaven in which God, Jesus, Al and Normajean are all enjoying “happily ever after” while the rest of us await our turns to do the same. It’s a nice thought, but nothing more than that.

I honestly don’t mean to be callous – I hope I’m not being so – but I can’t see anything more than pathetic wishful thinking throughout this person’s comment. Two people died too young and someone wants to make sense of it. Since this person’s comment contradicts at least two points of traditional Christian teaching (individual identity and responsibility before God, and no marriage in heaven), it looks as if, contrary to what Christians often say about the consolations of religion, this person’s theology fell far short of providing either consolation or a satisfactory rationale for these deaths. In the absence of both of those things that he expected from his religion, and in the apparent absence of willingness to probe those shortcomings and their possible implications, this comment writer resorted to what must have seemed like the next best thing – he made up shit. Oh, it’s a nice story, very appealing – Al and Normajan together in heaven, just as they were on earth. But, it’s not congruent with either the empirical evidence available to us thus far, nor with the traditional teachings of his religion. In short, it’s all bullshit. Bullshit masked with a nice sentimental scent, but bullshit nonetheless.

– the chaplain