It's been an oddly mind occupying question that has kept me up only too many hours - and the worst is OBVIOUSLY there's no way to prove an argument, but its just something to think about.
Because... if we came here to get a form, then we probably didn't originally have a gender - the whole point of varying penises and vaginas is to allow the male to go out and add genetic diversity to the population to resist disease and other problems that come with a-sexual reproduction. But... there are some creatures who don't have any males in their population and reproduce (like lizards, and some sharks, ect). So do you take your gender with you to the other side; what would be the point of another gender? Is there spiritual disease that we need to mix genetics to avoid?! (sarcasm)
So okay, say we do take our gender with us to the other side... what about hermaphrodites? They're both genders! Are they both genders on the other side? Even though we know that's a physical genetic mutation due to faulty genes or radiation - are they now doomed to be between? Are they homosexual if they pick a gender to be with, or do they have to be alone forever because it'd be morally wrong to pick the wrong gender to fall in love with by mistake? (because of COURSE homosexuality is a sin... of course...)
If we get made "perfect" on the other side, so are we suggesting that they cannot exist on the other side - that a gender will be chosen for them?
What about people who FEEL like another gender? Like males who feel female, or females who feel male? Sure that areas a little more gray, and could possibly be a chemical imbalance, but what ISN'T chemical? All emotions are chemical - happiness, depression - and if emotions and feelings and thoughts are all we carry over to the other side, wouldn't that dictate who and what we are?
I'm also starting to think you'll be what you think you'll be, and go where you think you'll go.
Indians will be reunited with loved one under the Peepal tree. Vikings arrive at a great feast. Christians arrive at a Pearly Gate. Self thought sinners who are scared and feel undeserving who think they're going to hell will go to "hell".
Hindus are reincarnated.
Wiccan go to the Summerland where they're rebirthed.
Your perception of reality follows you over.
Like those people who died in extreme anger, and linger on the earth? They are where they think they are. Maybe that's really what dictates what happens to us; because I refuse to believe that Christians, after only 2000 years of belief, have it right. There were religions before Christianity, among all nations, each one different, and each with faith that compares to your own, if not more. They were willing to DIE for their religion. They felt the same passion, conviction, assurance, and security in their religions...And for those who say "Why wouldn't God give us direction, a true religion?"
What you should be asking is why God would have that religion be exposed to less than 30% of the human race after 2000 years. What was the point of it even being here then. To bless the lives on that 30%?
And its fact that the best tests that get the truest results are the ones where the subject doesn't know that they're being tested, or what they're being tested for...
i like this, it makes me miss talking to you about such things
ReplyDeleteYOU are the EXACT person I had in mind for who I wanted to talk to. I was like "Dammit, where's Robert for a philosophical discussion when you need him?!" And fb chatting this would just not do it justice. lol
ReplyDeleteSo now you have a heads start to think about it, and talk to me about it when you're home :]
narrow mindedness is soooo boring. no wonder your professors like you. haha.
ReplyDeleteI can't... tell.. if you're being sarcastic, or calling me narrow minded, or what.. haha
ReplyDeleteOur tendencies to separate ourselves into groups and identify with similar people is based on our genetic need for a social base. If heaven is a place of eternal bliss, I doubt we would feel the need to identify ourselves with specific characteristics. What would be the point of rigidly defining ourselves in a world where happiness is eternal?
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that "your perception of reality follows you over." But what if you're like me and refuse to fully believe any version of reality due to lack of verifiable evidence? Would I just be stuck in a void forever? That's kind of what makes me ready for death—either I'll finally find out what's next or my consciousness will snuff out and I'll never have another thought again.
...in any case, there will be fewer questions.
Well then it doesn't matter what you're like here then, does it? If you don't take any qualities over that you perceive to be "you", then there really isn't a point in developing a "you".
ReplyDeleteSure, it'll help you interact with others while you're here, but really, if this heaven does rip down barriers such as gender (and other identifying qualities used on a social basis), then I'd assume other exclusive characteristics would be torn away too.
It would be easy to suggest then that we're not people on the other side.
If we are, and we're just perfected, I feel our views of perfection lean too heavily on what our own personal cultures have taught us.
Because honestly, referring back to Vikings, I don't think their heaven is some peaceful land of coexisting people. Its probably rowdy and full of warriors. That is their ideal perfection. Heroes. Masculine Gods.
Idk, this response is getting too long - I'm sure we could go back and forth forever.
But yes. I wait to find out as well. Both results will be welcomed, Im sure...
Oh jeez, this question is seriously one I've thought about. In anatomy we learn about all the different types of things that happen to kids in the womb where either they have to have a sex change, their body doesn't react to testosterone (and therefore the have a vagina on the outside but testes on the inside), and things of the sort. SUPER makes you wonder about the whole gender thing. Given your particular religion, what the heck happens to them?
ReplyDeleteEven in psychology, are genders due to nature (we are biologically predisposed to act a certain way because of our innate personality and the gender roles that is construes for us) or nurture (where everything we are is due to different types of conditioning, reinforcement, and observable learning)? Crazy crazy crazy stuff.
Impressive; very well thought out, and yet, very inconclusive.
ReplyDelete