Some Christians are either bullshit artists or completely insane

What do you make of people who make fanciful bullshit stories as follows (this testimony was shared with us recently in a forum I haunt:

Let me explain it like this. The most profound time I heard the audible voice of God. I was alone in my loungeroom and without any expectation, the Holy Spirit came upon my person in power. I was immediately taken from my body and I went immediately to Heaven. What I saw there was beyond capability of being described but most importantly Jesus spoke to me. He actually shouted at me in a very loud voice and He said " I am coming back" The shout was so loud that it was almost deafening and if every electronic power amplifier on earth was turned right up full blast loud, it wouldn't match the decibels of God when He shouts.... So this revelation has shown me three things 1) Jesus is real 2) Jesus is coming back and 3) there is an existance that completely transcends this mortal existance that we live in now. And this existance that transcends the mortal is eternal. Now a revelation of this sort of magnitude does not in any way make me any more spiritual than other christians, but as I write this to you in trembling, I am in the realization that one day Jesus will hold me personally accountable for the message He imparted to me. Have I been faithful to that message ??

This is the mega tangible experience we were given to prove the Bible is not a fairy-tale. Makes the speaking in tongues 'evidence' sound pretty pathetic. I think it only fair that all christians get the grand tour of heaven when the enter into the club. No respector of persons? pfft... sounds like special treatment to me and I'm seriously thinking of sending a letter of complain off to management for not getting the tour when I joined up.

It's 'Jack and the Beanstalk' crap like this that make so many Christian testimonies come across as fairytales. I have to stand up for rationalists and realists everywhere and say 'bullsit' mate. Absolute bullshit. My sister tells pretty much the same story word for word and I've heard it from many a christian who are either seeking attention or are experiencing some sort of mental delusion akin to people who are swept up by aliens into a mothership for poking and prodding. My sister was able to put some of the 'experience' into words. She said she saw mostly built white mansions and streets of glowing gold.

I'm wondering why we need mansions for the spiritual bodies? Will there be ensuites for spiritual toiletry, and will the gold streets be a bit slippery? And why gold? That much gold will make it less valued and just not as practical as bitumen.

Now no doubt you're going to get your back up and you may even suggest as you have recently that 'I' seek professional mental help, but it's not me that is getting visions via white supermen with wings. I do find it quite fascinating, but I think you would do mankind a big favour by humbly admitting that your sense of reality has been warped by conscious lucid dreaming or some lie that you want to believe so much that you're willing to stand by it whole-heartedly.

The Borg of Heaven - The Bible describes the city of heaven as a 1500 mile cube, similar to Star Trek's Borg

The frightful story of Heaven and Borg (click for original article)

I tried to trim this down to an acceptable blog length but this is as far as I go. Can anyone tell me how you implement that blog feature which hides the bulk of the text but allows readers to "read more" if they choose? I can hardly explain it yet alone work it out.

I can't imagine a more frightening story than that of the Bible's heaven. Unfortunately most Christians believe heaven as a pleasant eternal vista for which their souls reside as one with their God, forever. Oh, but what they have misconstrued. According to the bible, heaven is a 1500 mile cube city, and its inhabitants have little freedom of expression.

The source of my interpretation comes not from me but from the Bible and from one of the worlds best-known scholars and an authority on the New Testament: Bruce M. Metzger, the Chairman of the NRSV Translation Committee. My only contribution is the comparison of the descriptions of heaven with the Borg from the Star Trek series.

The cube shaped city of heaven

"And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal." -Rev. 21:15-16 (12,000 furlongs to miles, you get 1500 miles)

The city refers to the new Jerusalem, the holy city, a metaphor for heaven. It represents the tabernacle of God where men will dwell with God. Bruce Metzger writes, "The city measures fifteen hundred miles in length, in breadth, and in height".

But how can a city be a cube? The description is architecturally preposterous, and must not be taken with flat-footed literalism." Of course we must not take the Borg cube literally either. It describes a vision from writers of a science fiction series, similar to the visions of John.

Yet if the city of heaven were in space, like the Borg, then indeed, a cube would serve quite well as a description. After all, isn't heaven usually thought of as 'the heavens above'?

Metzger continues: "In ancient times the cube was held to be the most perfect of all geometric forms. By this symbolism, therefore, John wants us to understand that the heavenly Jerusalem is absolutely splendid, with a harmony and symmetry of perfect proportions. Furthermore, he says that "the street of the city is pure gold (21:21)."

So also is the technical marvel of the Borg cube. Splendid is its design for a utopian world, filled with alien zombies, united as a Borg consciousness. So also is the description of the Biblical heaven, a perfect cube filled with believers, connected to a powerful mind-drain called God.

Metzger writes about the inner city of god: "There is no temple or sanctuary in the holy city, for in one respect, the city itself is all sanctuary. Its dimensions, being in the form of a cube, are like the Holy of Holies in the Mosaic tabernacle of old. The immediate presence of God is no longer in a reserved place, entered only by the high priest. . . God is now accessible to all."

Just like the Borg cube! All live for the unity of the one, the Borg.

About the Borg

The story of the Borg comes from the TV series, Star Trek, and the Star Trek movie, "First Contact."

The Borg consists of a collective consciousness of assimilated species where the concept of individuality has no meaning and freedom and self-determination are irrelevant. The Borg live in mechanical planets some of which are large cubes that roam the universe (see photo at the top). The Borg are extremely war-like and can destroy worlds (just like the God and angels of the Bible).

The social structure is like a bee hive. There is a Queen whose purpose is not breeding but rather acts as a central reference point around which the collective will and purpose of the hive revolves (like the God of heaven).

The Enterprise first meets the Borg in space where they are asked to "Lower your shields." This is similar to religion demanding to submit to faith and lower the shields of skepticism. The Borg commands that "Your culture shall adapt to service ours. Resistance is futile...... Your defensive capabilities are unable to withstand us. Your life, as it has been, is over. From this time forward, you will service us. You must comply." (In the Bible, God demands obedience and if you do not comply, your life will end).

As long as you submit to the Borg, you will be taken care of. Once you submit, you become assimilated you will dwell in the Borg cube forever. The Borg appears similar in concept to the tabernacle of God:

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. - Rev. 21:3

The 'assimilated' (the saved) beings in the Borg do not die, nor do they feel pain or sorrow. They are, in effect, zombies who fully accept their condition. The inhabitants of heaven, also do not feel pain or sorrow (Rev. 21:4).

Whether the Star Trek writers intended to make an allegorical comparison with heaven is unclear, but the similarities are uncanny. There is even a Borg unit named "Third of Five" (like the third angel in Rev. 8:10), the Queen God (like the woman in Rev. 12:1).

In explaining the purpose within the collective, the Borg Queen replies to Lt. Commander Data:

"I am the beginning. The end. The one who is many. I am the Borg... I am the Collective. I bring order to chaos." Note how similar this is to Jesus in Revelation 21:6:

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

About the Heavenly inhabitants

The most information about Heaven comes from the alleged visions of a man named John in the book of Revelation. No one here intends to take these visions literally. This is a story folks, just like Star Trek!

Metzger says that, "in reporting his visionary experiences John frequently uses
symbolic language. Sometimes he explains the meaning of the symbols. Other symbols really need no explanation."

But if anyone thinks the heaven of the Bible is a peaceful and pleasant place filled with beautiful beings, think again:

"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WHICH WAS, AND IS , AND IS TO COME." - Revelation 4: 6-8

What a frightening vision! Beasts like animals full of eyes hardly imparts a comforting image of heaven. And imagine having to put up with the constant day-and-night howling of HOLY, HOLY... My what a vain god.

"And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." - Revelation 5:6

Here we have the representation of Christ (Lamb), with seven horns and seven eyes. And again, the beasts. Metzger says, "The Lamb is described as having seven horns and seven eyes. This should not be taken as a literal description. Rather, the seven horns means that Christ has complete power, and the seven eyes mean that he sees and knows all things." The Queen Borg also represents the power and the knowledge for the Borg.

Anyone who works for a corporation knows the uncomfortable feeling when the boss looks over your shoulder. Now imagine that when you die, you'll be watched by the biggest Boss in the universe, EVERY NANOSECOND OF ETERNITY! Kiss your cherished secrets goodbye. There's no such thing as privacy in heaven.

Thankfully only 144,000 will reach heaven - The Bible explicitly tells how many will be "saved":

...the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. - Rev. 14:3-4

Metzger writes, "The first part of chapter 14 is a scene of tranquillity and rejoicing. John sees the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, with the 144,000 of the redeemed. . . 144,000 is a symbolic number, representing all those who remain faithful. . . On the surface this means that only men who have never had sexual intercourse can 'follow the Lamb wherever he goes'. . . but rather he means those who have not defiled themselves by participating in pagan worship."

Sitting for eternity with 14399 tribal men in a cube, with the absence of women & sex, paying homage to a wrathful war god surrounded by multi-eyed beasts (symbolically speaking, of course), and having to listen to a never ending chant of HOLY-HOLY is not my cup of tea. Thank you very much, but I'd rather remain peacefully dead for eternity than suffer the entertainments from this vainglory god.

Conclusion

Both the Star Trek version and the Biblical account of heaven presents a frightening but interesting story about submitting to a powerful entity in a utopian world devoid of personal freedom.

If I were to believe the Bible, I could not in all good conscious accept the horrors of the heavenly God as truthful, but rather, as a tale invented by the most evil being imaginable. Only an evil power could construct such a figure of God as a ruler who only dispenses forgiveness as long as they submit to His will. The God of the Bible resembles a slave owner who punishes his servants with an iron rod or kills them if they do not obey. A benevolent God would not construct a book with so many horrors, contradictions and falsehoods. An all powerful God who wished to reveal himself could easily prove himself to all people directly; he would not need a book, a priest, or a religion.

As a non-believer, I can enjoy fiction and can postulate meaning from allegorical myths. The story of the Borg presents us with a juicy tale of utopian heaven where its citizens cannot think for themselves. The Borg inhabitants live in accordance with a communal system, each unit living "happily" within the system, uncannily like the subjects of religion who submit themselves to a superstitious god who demands love and submission.

Both Star Trek and the Bible represent mythical stories and they both contain messages that we can learn from. I find the ethics of Star Trek superior to that of the Bible and provides a much better example for healthy living than the cruel submission methods used in the Bible. Star Trek promotes cooperation and tolerance while the Bible promotes intolerance and submission to faith. I do not believe in Star Trek or the Bible, but if I had to choose, I would prefer to live and die on an Enterprise rather than conform to the Borg and I would rather die a non-believer than submit myself to the horrors of the bee-hive of heaven.

Live long and prosper.

Religious Symbolism Found in the Wizard of Oz

Dor-o'thy(the symbol of the Door- to heaven/Oz) carries SEVEN books (the Bible), which are bound (sealed), while running Home (to Heaven) with her Dog (dogma, the symbol of "God", 2 Sam 17:43). The dog is hurt by the Wicked Witch, Ms. Gulch, whose name is mentioned SEVEN times in the movie- 7 symbolizes "God"- meaning that the dogma is hurt by the God of Fire (which is the symbol of Ms. Gulch, the Witch).

The Triangle (Angle of the Trinity), represented also by a pyramid, hangs from a tree. It is used for a Dinner Bell to call people to the Last Supper (spiritual knowledge given before the death of the religion).

Auntie Em inspires us to "count" (because the incubator went out???), and ends on the number "SEVENTY" (Exo 1:5).

Dorothy falls from the wall (like Humpty Dumpty/ the Eggman) to the right side (as opposed to 'wrong'?) away from 12 pigs (the Apostles). Biblically speaking, the swine/PIGS are "demonic spirits" in the hearts of the greedy (Luk 8:33). Auntie Em says that there's no place for Dorothy around a pigsty (The Old World is the symbolic Pigsty, with everyone driven by greed). Dorothy prophesies the Land of Oz, "behind the moon" (the Moongod "Sin" where Mt. Sinai got its name), "beyond the rain" (reign of Jesus). "Somewhere over the RAINBOW" (the rainbow is the sign from God, a covenant to Noah that the earth will never again be destroyed like it is about to be, Gen 9:13).

Dorothy continues, "The dreams that you dare to dream really do come true"... when we get over the rainbow (get 'over with'/finish with the reign {Jesus} who we "bow" to, who comes from the sky (Heaven) on a white horse with a "bow" (Rev 6:2). The dog's (God of Love, man's best friend) life is threatened by the witch, Miss Gulch (the God of Fire). The dog is thrown into the basket with a chained cross on it. Two more triangles (now totaling three/Trinity) are the bridge to the Wizard (The God of the future). The triangle also represents the Egyptian symbol of longevity/ everlasting life. The Wizard sets down just below a heart shaped bush.

Just as Dorothy is saying, "Why it's just like you could read what was inside of me," look at the dark arm holding an upside-down heart, and an upside down cross next to her mouth (in another view of the same scene, it is not there). This means that things are upside down from what they seem to be, and we need to read the signs that are inside the Dorothy metaphor. She is the symbol of hope and Home (Heaven). There are three dogs in the movie (The Trinity), Toto and two hotdogs (just like the one good witch and the two bad ones). Toto eats the hotdog ("dog eat dog"). The Wizard says, "As one dog to another" (one "God" to another). In the wagon, having lit two candlesticks (Rev 11:4), the Wizard sits below the heart-shaped head with a snake (serpent/devil) coming out of the 'BACK' of it.

Behind Dorothy's head to the left (not 'right') is a pentagram (pagan symbol of the Goat, demon which will eat/learn anything).

The picture that the Wizard takes from Dorothy's basket has an 'A' on the door. Look at the upper right edge of the picture also.

The Wizard mentions the Pharaohs of Egypt (most of the Bible stories have been known to come from the Egyptian hieroglyphics once the code was broken on the Roseta Stone). Notice the skull (symbol of death) above the door, as he continues to speak of a loved one at home with a broken heart. The crystal (symbol of clarity) goes dark (evil). While the house is spinning in the twister, the boat is rowed across the sky (The Egyptian's symbolic boat {ark} transports the souls of the dead into the New World, from which the Noah metaphor was taken). The cock crows (Mar 14:72).

The post on Dorothy's house appears to cast the shadow of a cross.

Dorothy is the munchkin's "miracle", having come from the sky like Jesus is expected to do at the Second Coming (actually it would be his "third"... they miscounted).

As mentioned by Glinda, the dog (God) is thought to be a Witch, which is also symbolized by the darker "dog burn dog" (dogma burn dogma) history of the church (they each feel that they are the true religion, while the others that have 'missed the boat' will burn in hell).

A cross hangs in the torn curtain above the dead Witch of the East (showing that part of the Trinity to symbolize spiritual death, the religion from the East).

The Trinity comes in all sizes, shapes and types, yes even blowing trumpets (a biblical symbol). The Dwarves (munchkins), are used as a symbol of resurrection in Norse mythology, having sprang from the decaying body of Yir. They made the chain that binds the wolf-monster (dog/god monster).

The Wicked Witch from the West comes in the fire. The Witch of the East is "dead spiritually" (confirmed by the munchkins) and her shoes (roots) are removed from her (to insure that type of spirit will not take root in the New World).

Glinda, The Good Witch says, "It's always best to start at the beginning. Follow the Yellow Brick Road." (Heaven is thought to have streets of gold). At the CROSS-roads (the Christian cross), Dorothy released the nail that held the scarecrow to the cross (Jesus was metaphorically nailed to a cross, tree and/or a post, Gal 6:14, Acts 10:39, Num 21:8). The Scarecrow, who symbolizes Christianity (trying to scare the dark birds/spirits away), needs a brain (enlightenment). And he mostly fears the fire that he symbolizes, because he knows he must reap what he has sown.

A man made of tin (mankind was without a heart) wants to be human, but is stopped by the rain (reign of Jesus). His mouth was the first to work by the oil (enlightenment, Exo 35:28). They take the right road (they go the right way). The Scarecrow says that it will get darker before it gets lighter (first will come the Tribulation, then their enlightenment because of it). The Lion holds a sad tail (tale), but he represents the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Judas), Rev 5:5, who finally builds up enough courage to take on the God of Fire, the Wizard (a man/mankind is hiding behind the altar of fire).

The witch hides by the tree (symbol of the "tree of knowledge") which is evil. And these evil trees (humans) threw apples (the forbidden fruit) at them. This also helps to show that "trees" in the Bible symbolize "mankind" (as presented in Rom 11:24). The poppies (drugs), seen in the Crystal (meth), block the road to the Emerald City (heaven). It causes them to sleep (spiritual slumber, Gen 2:21). But they survive, and make it to Oz (the New World).

The Lion says, "Come to think of it, forty winks wouldn't be bad." Forty is the symbolic number for Lennon (see Anthology, look for 'wink').

Her ruby red slippers (red shoes/ bloody roots/beginning) gain her entrance into the Emerald City (Heaven).

They see the white horse (the Second Coming) change into three more colors (the Trinity). Four colors total (the four horsemen of the Apocalypse maybe?).

The Wizard is sad for them. He shows himself as the God of Hell-Fire but he really isn't evil at all. The Scarecrow (Christianity) is the only one who bows down to him (to show that he is the symbol of the religion). The Lion (of the tribe of Judah) dives through the Window (Internet/innerNET) and is very soon afterward seen carrying a NET.

The Tin Man's body raises up into the air (like the Christians expect to happen to them upon the 2nd Coming of Christ). The Wicked Witch says, "I've sent some insects to take the fight out of them." There are no insects shown in the movie (perhaps Locusts? Rev 9:7). The red (bloody) hourglass runs low. The Tin Man (mankind) holds onto the tail (tale/Bible) on the uphill climb to save Dorothy (the Doorway). The crosses, flanking the doorway to the Witch's castle, are on "fire".

The guards are hit by the falling cross of fire. The Wicked Witch (which symbolizes "fire") is killed by the Water ("people", Rev 17:15), which was meant to save the Scarecrow (the Christians). They return to Oz with the Broom of Fire (new clear cleansing of the Earth). God (the Wizard) says, "I give you an audience, are you ungrateful?" The Scarecrow, gets one of 'three' (Trinity) diplomas, giving him brains now (enlightenment), and states that both sides of the Triangle (the Trinity) are equal. The Lion gets the 'triple cross' (the cross of the Trinity) which hangs on his heart. The Tin Man gets his heart (mankind becomes human), but it has a clock on it (the clock is ticking). Dorothy concludes that this heaven (Oz), of our dreams, is not our real Home.

The doorway to that place called Home (heaven) is the knowledge that we are already there, by way of- as the Wizard Of Oz says, "E Pluribus Unim."...which is written on the 'seal' of the dollar bill, across from the Masonic Temple/ Egyptian pyramid of enlightenment- aka The Luxor - mentioned twice in the movie. "Money" (an Emerald World of Wealth) is our Heaven once we receive our inheritance (Num 36:3). Dorothy touches the Lion's heart. Dorothy says that she would miss the Scarecrow most of all (Christianity). The Wizard (the God of Fire) goes away back into Heaven.

Dorothy taps her red heels together three (Trinity) times.

Back at home they thought Dorothy was dead (they lost the doorway), but she survived (was resurrected). Dorothy says don't look farther than your own backyard (don't look back too far, look forward). There's no place like Heaven

If I'd only had a brain...

Wiping our asses in Heaven

Another cut and paste I know, but believe it or not, this is exactly what I've thought through before. I'm glad it isn't just me that thinks about these things:

I’d like to talk to you about a subject that rarely sees daylight. I meant that figuratively, of course. It's something that most people do every day but almost no one talks about it among friends. Of course I'm talking about the taboo subject of… wiping. You're probably thinking there's not much to say about the subject but as I type this, I can think of so many things I want to say on the topic but let me just spotlight one of them.

The main point I'd like to make about wiping is that it is an activity that none of us can really avoid and is a daily reminder of the dirty reality in which we live. Wiping is just a bad side effect of the design of the human body and we all know who designed the human body, right? What I want to know is, why don't you ever hear a preacher do a sermon about how we’re all going to wipe our asses for all eternity once we get to Heaven?

Think about it. Paul preaches a resurrection of the dead wherein the spirit of the person is reunited with their body. Jesus rose from the dead and bodily ascended into Heaven. It's pretty clear that the New Testament teaches the notion that we will actually have physical bodies in Heaven. Now, I like a good bowel movement as much as the next guy but come on, don't tell me that I'm going to have to be wiping my ass in his presence for all eternity! I would think God has better things planned for us than the execution of mundane necessities of existence!

But this poses another question. Perhaps we don't need to eat once we get to Heaven. But if that's true, then we won't need the thirty some odd feet of intestines either. Oh, I almost forgot teeth. Won’t need those. And of course there will be no procreation allowed. So I won’t need my… um, well, heck, why WILL we need a body in Heaven?

But this is all speculation, folks.So you see, this normally taboo subject can be an interesting topic on its own but it can also lead to interesting speculation. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I feel a good bowel movement coming on. - 2007 Tim Simmons

Where is Steve Irwin?

Up here on the Sunshine Coast where the Australia Zoo is, there has been a furore recently when an e-mail made it to the media stating that Steve Irwin gave his heart and life to the Lord at the Kings Christian Church (AOGish) just weeks before he died. The pastor of King's denies this actually happened and is sorry that one of his staff had a mind to send out such a message from the church's office computer.

How desperate are many christians to come up with a way to manipulate the facts so that it's seen that Steve will be frolicking around in heaven with the rest of the 'holy' and great people. So what if he never gave his life to the Lord? He certainly gave his life to the planet and its creatures. Will he now be running around in an eternal and tormentuous hell because he should have been fishing for men rather than fishing for crocs?

Heaven, a place or space?

Heaven? Sequels often suck. Get it right the first time I say.
God owes us a big apology and a better life after this one is the LEAST he can do.

Christian/Quantum physicists have a field day with the multi-universe theory using this third heaven concept. Back in the Revival Chult (church/cult) we, or some of us, had a few theories of our own. Some identified heaven with periods of time rather than physical places. The 4000 years of law was the first heaven, the 2000 years of Grace was the second heaven, while the third heaven is the age to come. Symbolicly, I thought this had a lot more spiritual significance than physical appreciations of gold streets etc.

But regarding heaven as an actual place, aren't there some who believe that the earth is the first heaven, the sky is the second heaven and the throne-room or presence of God is the third. Nah, that doesn't sound right to me though... if, that is, anything can sound 'right'. God called the firmament "Heaven", and it's a vague and interpretive word - IMO. The first heaven could be the atmosphere, the second heaven is outer space, and the third heaven is beyond space, the place where God hangs out... which is sort of ignorant and archaic though. A lot of translations interpret "Heaven" as "sky", because the Bible seems to be talking about the atmosphere.

For the open-minded explorer, there is a lot of interesting stuff to be said about NDEs (near death experiences). These tales of we mere mortals skimming along the astral planes to touch the supernatural are as common as UFO and Ghost sightings, but I'm one to tease these things with the benefit of the doubt. There's an old Chinese proverb (I think) that says if six men tell you you're sick, then lie down. I've heard enough sincere testimonies to make me wonder a little. I've got some good stuff on this subject for both sides of the argument, but not in digital form. Here's an interesting link for anyone who wants to pursue the concept: http://www.near-death.com/experiences/origen021.html

The Borg of Heaven

The Bible describes the city of heaven as a 1500 mile cube, similar to Star Trek's Borg
by Jim Walker - originated 31 March 1999 back to Satire & Comics

The frightful story of Heaven and Borg

I can't imagine a more frightening story than that of the Bible's heaven. Unfortunately most Christians believe heaven as a pleasant eternal vista for which their souls reside as one with their God, forever. Oh, but what they have misconstrued.

If one considers the Bible an authoritative source (and after all, that's where the idea of Christian heaven comes from) then you will find little to be desiring about the place called heaven unless you wish to become a mindless soul in a utopian world similar to the world of the Borg as presented by the Star Trek series. How many Christians realize that heaven is a 1500 mile cube city, or that violence and horror occurs from there, and that its inhabitants have little freedom of expression?

The source of my interpretation comes not from me but from the Bible and from one of the worlds best-known scholars and an authority on the New Testament: Bruce M. Metzger. He has taught for many years at Princeton Theological Seminary, the author of over 35 books and the Chairman of the NRSV Translation Committee. My only contribution is the comparison of the descriptions of heaven with the Borg from the Star Trek series (google to find this story, I lost it... funny read though... I could google it myself and put the link here, but I am THAT lazy!).