Saruman
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First of all, many thanks to the Harbinger! Now, I'll share my thoughts.
Regarding the gods, I've already answered this somewhere in a philosophical discussion:
I believe that initially there was the Absolute (an unpersonified accumulation of energy). The Absolute created the universe. The Christian God is a more personified embodiment of the Absolute (possessing traits of character and reason). The Islamic God is another aspect of the Christian God. Buddhist beliefs are about worshipping the balance of the Universe. Pagan gods are also personifications of narrower aspects of the Absolute, or personifications of people's own missions created by them. I hope I won't be burned at the stake for this?
By the way, I am a believer myself.
Regarding prayers:
No matter which god, goddess, or gods you worship, it is important for them to know your feelings and thoughts. Prayers are good when they are mixed with sincere feelings; otherwise, it's like in the early nineties when all the gangsters suddenly became believers...
Regarding Heaven and Hell.
Indeed, everyone chooses their own Heaven and Hell. For some, Heaven is like the tropical beach you described. For others, it's a luxurious mansion and a thriving company. For some, Heaven is a fiery river and devils with frying pans; for others, it's simply a room with no way out. Those who do not believe in an afterlife after death die completely and merge with the Absolute. The soul is drawn to the pole it desires, and a person believes that they will end up there. You could say that any gangster can convince himself that he is innocent and will go to Heaven. No, it's not that easy. He can convince the jury, he can convince himself, but subconsciously he will know about his crimes. After death, there will be no bosses to whom he can nod and say, "He ordered me to do it!" After death, you will judge yourself and pass sentence. This is the duality of Heaven and Hell; it's not that nothing more diverse could be invented, but rather that much of it comes down to this.
And now, a touch of cynicism:
The world is ruled by pleasures! Love, death – these are all tools. Not tools in a dismissive sense, like a hammer and a tractor, but tools like the ear – an instrument of hearing. Moreover, I meant not pleasures in the banal sense (drinking, eroticism), but diverse pleasures – it could be admiring a painting, feeling a sense of self-importance, relaxing in nature, drinking in good company, a morning on a quiet river. Ask a gangster what he needs? He'll say: money. Why? So that he can have girls, so that he can live well, so that he can get away from the cops... Ask a scientist what he needs? He'll say: the implementation of his invention, or fame, or money. What is all this for? To feel important, to live well, to ultimately make the world a better place... Ask a love-struck poet what he needs? Relaxation in nature, to have his beloved nearby... Why? Because he is in love... All that I have listed are pleasures... Why do some gangsters or businessmen experience a feeling of emptiness and satiety when they acquire wealth? They have tried all the base pleasures and have nothing to do; they have a lot of time, and unnecessary thoughts about their past life appear... Some cope by driving themselves to extremes with binges, some find some simple, elevated pleasure that they understand, such as an elevated love for one woman or collecting, but rarely does anyone manage to regain the taste for life that they had before. Base pleasures must harmonize with elevated ones.
Regarding the gods, I've already answered this somewhere in a philosophical discussion:
I believe that initially there was the Absolute (an unpersonified accumulation of energy). The Absolute created the universe. The Christian God is a more personified embodiment of the Absolute (possessing traits of character and reason). The Islamic God is another aspect of the Christian God. Buddhist beliefs are about worshipping the balance of the Universe. Pagan gods are also personifications of narrower aspects of the Absolute, or personifications of people's own missions created by them. I hope I won't be burned at the stake for this?
By the way, I am a believer myself.
Regarding prayers:
No matter which god, goddess, or gods you worship, it is important for them to know your feelings and thoughts. Prayers are good when they are mixed with sincere feelings; otherwise, it's like in the early nineties when all the gangsters suddenly became believers...
Regarding Heaven and Hell.
Indeed, everyone chooses their own Heaven and Hell. For some, Heaven is like the tropical beach you described. For others, it's a luxurious mansion and a thriving company. For some, Heaven is a fiery river and devils with frying pans; for others, it's simply a room with no way out. Those who do not believe in an afterlife after death die completely and merge with the Absolute. The soul is drawn to the pole it desires, and a person believes that they will end up there. You could say that any gangster can convince himself that he is innocent and will go to Heaven. No, it's not that easy. He can convince the jury, he can convince himself, but subconsciously he will know about his crimes. After death, there will be no bosses to whom he can nod and say, "He ordered me to do it!" After death, you will judge yourself and pass sentence. This is the duality of Heaven and Hell; it's not that nothing more diverse could be invented, but rather that much of it comes down to this.
And now, a touch of cynicism:
The world is ruled by pleasures! Love, death – these are all tools. Not tools in a dismissive sense, like a hammer and a tractor, but tools like the ear – an instrument of hearing. Moreover, I meant not pleasures in the banal sense (drinking, eroticism), but diverse pleasures – it could be admiring a painting, feeling a sense of self-importance, relaxing in nature, drinking in good company, a morning on a quiet river. Ask a gangster what he needs? He'll say: money. Why? So that he can have girls, so that he can live well, so that he can get away from the cops... Ask a scientist what he needs? He'll say: the implementation of his invention, or fame, or money. What is all this for? To feel important, to live well, to ultimately make the world a better place... Ask a love-struck poet what he needs? Relaxation in nature, to have his beloved nearby... Why? Because he is in love... All that I have listed are pleasures... Why do some gangsters or businessmen experience a feeling of emptiness and satiety when they acquire wealth? They have tried all the base pleasures and have nothing to do; they have a lot of time, and unnecessary thoughts about their past life appear... Some cope by driving themselves to extremes with binges, some find some simple, elevated pleasure that they understand, such as an elevated love for one woman or collecting, but rarely does anyone manage to regain the taste for life that they had before. Base pleasures must harmonize with elevated ones.
