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Of the other religions and religious movements that believe in heaven, each offers an alternative based on human efforts and often includes various levels of heaven or paradise. In addition, some religious groups do not believe in heaven at all. Instead, reincarnation is adhered to as a belief that a person will return in another life form. In other cases, it is believed a person's spirit lives on in this world. Christianity is the only religion that teaches salvation is a free gift of God received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
Below are some of the beliefs regarding heaven and the afterlife from other religious viewpoints:
Atheism: Atheists do not believe in God or the afterlife. In this worldview, this life is all that exists.
Baha'i: This religious movement combines ideas from multiple religions, including Christianity and Islam, and presents that a person's soul continues its spiritual journey after this life and eventually comes to a final resting point with the god of Baha'i.
Buddhism: Buddhist teachings adhere to reincarnation, meaning a person returns in additional, repeated life forms until achieving a state called nirvana, a blissful spiritual state of ultimate being.
Hinduism: Like Buddhism, Hindu teachings accept reincarnation and eventual nirvana, including the idea of many millions of gods and goddesses.
Islam: Islam speaks of a paradise where faithful Muslims will live with Allah in the afterlife. Those not in paradise will be subject to great judgment. Entry into paradise is based on adherence to the five pillars of Islam, the teachings of the Qur'an, or dying as a martyr.
Jehovah's Witnesses: The Watchtower Society, providing the beliefs of the movement, teaches faith plus a variety of works based on its teachings in order to reach a positive afterlife. It teaches a special level of afterlife for the top 144,000 faithful witnesses, a heaven on earth for others, and annihilation of those who do not make it.
Judaism: Jewish teachings discuss heaven and hell as presented in the Old Testament, believing faith in God and obedience to His teachings are essential to be with God in the afterlife.
Wicca: Wicca includes much diversity regarding its teachings, yet generally accepts reincarnation. It also teaches there is no need for salvation, with many believing one can eventually become one with the god and goddess. There is also an emphasis on the spirits of the dead still roaming the earth.
For more about the biblical teachings regarding how a person goes to heaven, see How can I make sure I'm going to heaven?
Below are some of the beliefs regarding heaven and the afterlife from other religious viewpoints:
Atheism: Atheists do not believe in God or the afterlife. In this worldview, this life is all that exists.
Baha'i: This religious movement combines ideas from multiple religions, including Christianity and Islam, and presents that a person's soul continues its spiritual journey after this life and eventually comes to a final resting point with the god of Baha'i.
Buddhism: Buddhist teachings adhere to reincarnation, meaning a person returns in additional, repeated life forms until achieving a state called nirvana, a blissful spiritual state of ultimate being.
Hinduism: Like Buddhism, Hindu teachings accept reincarnation and eventual nirvana, including the idea of many millions of gods and goddesses.
Islam: Islam speaks of a paradise where faithful Muslims will live with Allah in the afterlife. Those not in paradise will be subject to great judgment. Entry into paradise is based on adherence to the five pillars of Islam, the teachings of the Qur'an, or dying as a martyr.
Jehovah's Witnesses: The Watchtower Society, providing the beliefs of the movement, teaches faith plus a variety of works based on its teachings in order to reach a positive afterlife. It teaches a special level of afterlife for the top 144,000 faithful witnesses, a heaven on earth for others, and annihilation of those who do not make it.
Judaism: Jewish teachings discuss heaven and hell as presented in the Old Testament, believing faith in God and obedience to His teachings are essential to be with God in the afterlife.
Wicca: Wicca includes much diversity regarding its teachings, yet generally accepts reincarnation. It also teaches there is no need for salvation, with many believing one can eventually become one with the god and goddess. There is also an emphasis on the spirits of the dead still roaming the earth.
For more about the biblical teachings regarding how a person goes to heaven, see How can I make sure I'm going to heaven?
