[psycho d]

Agnostism is where it's at. That's where they hide the heroin...

Seriously, i do not believe in a prisonlike system for eternal punishment. It seems to me that all western "book" religions are based too much on how we try to run things here on Earth. i am a fan of Karma, though, and i do not really wish to find out how that all pans out. The common theme seems to be that one keeps making the trek back to earth after death until he or she gets things right. Again, that seems a little contrived to me, but at least much more believable than demons with pitchforks.

What really scares me is the concept of soul entrapment, where something gains the power or ability to trap your soul forever in a form of eternally cold isolation, using it in ways that only an evil ghoul could think up. i have this sneaking suspicion that those that do not follow the general flight plan of morality are more susceptible to some such demise.

i am also a fan of the concept of ancestor worship, which also works on a form of karma. In Vodou (which primarily originated from West African belief), the dead that played by the rules during life are remembered by their families. Celebrations are held in their honor, and after some period of time (one year and one day i think) they may be allowed passage into the realm of the ancestors, which sounds like a pretty decent place for the soul to kick it. Those people not inclined to behave themselves while alive are believed to be forgotten by their surviving families and friends, and no celebrations are held for them, no passage to the land of the ancestors. They are left in a sort of limbo, which is believed to be in a cold, cold place at the bottom of the sea. There is even a specific ceremony where a houngan (Vodou priest) helps with this passage of those souls that were remembered and honored by the family. During this ceremony, there are always chilling accounts of the forgotten dead begging to be allowed passage, but all to no avail. They are litererally to be left alone in the damp cold for eternity.
Great topic; love to hear some more thoughts. Ashe.