When you reach those pearly gates what might save you?


A man dies and goes to heaven when Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. Peter says, “You need 1000 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all of the good things you’ve done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item. When you reach 1000 points, you get in.” “Okay,” the man says, “I was happily married to the same woman for fifty years and never cheated on her, not even in my mind.” “That’s wonderful,” says Peter, “that’s worth two points!” “Two points?” he says. “Well, I attended church all my life and gave my ten percent tithe faithfully.” “Terrific!” says Peter. “That’s definitely worth a point.” “One point? My goodness! Well, what about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for the homeless?” “Fantastic, that’s good for two more points,” he says. “TWO POINTS!” the man cries. “At this rate the only way I can get into heaven is by the grace of God!”

"Now that's what we are looking for. Come on in."
 

I suppose all of us can think of some small deed we've done that has helped relieve another from whatever was troubling them, (maybe some will have a host of things to point to?).
I'd say the look of relief when I'd helped a child I know quite a bit about, is something I can say was a good deed done.
Maybe there are other things I've done, but its hard for me to say really.

What would you say you've done that might get you into heaven, (when balanced against whatever shortcoming you might feel you have, or failures to act when you should?)?
I suppose everyone we've truly loved could be borne in mind when our lives are being weighed up for the final time. :)
 
I never really thought about going through the Pearly Gate, but helping others came naturally to me, and I have saved a few lives, but I think the most important thing is to love one another. I also have been guided by God a few times (miracles) so I know He exists. Now about that Pearly Gate.....
 

Wow, that’s a mouth full. I’m not sure what you’re hinting at but I think most people have a built-in moral compass that speaks to them.
As Sheldon would say I’m just an engineer but I do have an interest in physics and believe there is more going on than we realized. Consciousness is an undefinable process and is unique across all fields of science. Some fields suggest its just a natural phenomena that occurs when you get a bunch of neurons together. Some even suggest that if we make a big enough computer a singularity will occur and it will become conscious. I think this is all nonsense and I believe the universe is consciousness and everything is the result of that.
There is more that we do not understand than we know or think we know. All the best theories we come up with are just approximations. Relativity and Quantum Mechanics are both fantastic theories but are in conflict with one another – neither can explain the other.

Although I don’t believe in religion I do believe in the universe and it knows what its doing. I’m just happy to be along for the ride.

Information theory says that information is never lost. At one time it was thought black holes broke that theory but Stephen Hawking finally suggested otherwise. So when I pass I won’t need to say anything because the information of my existence will be available forever to anyone smart enough to obtain it.
When you read about folks who advocate a hedonistic lifestyle it makes you wonder doesn't it, or the cynical views on life put forward in some "Desideratas" but I think this one has been written for fun:

"Go placidly (Even if it means doubling your normal dose of medication!) amid the noise and haste, and remember that peace, of any sort, is always short-lived — so keep your mouth shut!

There is no possible way to be on good terms with everyone — no matter how hard you try. If you speak your truth quietly and clearly, some idiot will shout you down — so why waste your breath?

If you listen to others, especially the dull and the ignorant, you only get confused or bored. They might have their story to tell but it may be tainted by delusional thinking and fantasy. That’s especially true when it comes to listening to ********s.

Avoiding loud and aggressive persons is a sound idea since such avoidance may keep you from punching their lights out and winding up with an assault charge!

If you compare yourself with others, the chances are you will be selling your self short. And, remember: No matter how humble your career, you can always get a degree in business management at the local community college!

If you ain’t happy with your job look for another one, ***** your boss, or start your own business. There are always alternatives. Just remember that there ain’t nobody who is going to look out for your interests as well as you will.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. Therefore never extend more credit then you can afford to lose. And remember that there really is no such thing as a “Free Lunch!” There truly may be a bunch of folks in the business world that profess high ideals. However, there are many more that don’t have any virtues, scruples or morals whatsoever — so watch those folks like a hawk!

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. You might as well since Mother Nature is going to take care of most things like good eye sight, strong bones, good hearing, steady nerves and plaque-free arteries anyway. So, stop fighting the inevitable and resign yourself to the onslaught of time. Pretend you’re being graceful about it if you must — otherwise go kicking and screaming into the not-so good night…

A merry heart might “doeth good” like a medicine — but distress, misfortune, stress, fear and loneliness are tough conditions to overcome. All of them are very real possibilities as you age — gracefully or otherwise! So is spending your final days in a nursing home. As the Red-hatters say: “Pull up your big purple panties and deal with it!”

You might as well be gentle with yourself since you didn’t ask to be here to begin with. You may be a Child of The Universe and you might even have a right to be here (whether it’s against your will or not) but that doesn’t make the trip any easier.

Therefore: be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, it is well to remember that life is a terminal disease and none of us are going to get out of this deal alive.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. If you believe that you’re most likely severely delusional already!

So try to be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Keep a smile on your face and everyone else will wonder what you’ve been up to!"
 
Pearly gates is an informal name for the gateway to Heaven according to some Christian denominations. It is inspired by the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:21: "The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate being made from a single pearl."[1]

The image of the gates in popular culture is a set of large gold, white or wrought-iron gates in the clouds, guarded by Saint Peter (the keeper of the "keys to the kingdom"). Those not fit to enter heaven are denied entrance at the gates, and descend into Hell.[2] In some versions of this imagery, Peter looks up the deceased's name in a book, before opening the gate.

The pearly gates provide the background for a joke cycle: "the premise of these jokes is that admission is not automatic but that the criteria for admission are somewhat arbitrary."[3]


Perhaps there are pearly gates restricting passage to a limited number of souls. I for one don't expect to levitate, most likely I will simply disintegrate
 
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No, if you mean war, that's different!
So they tell me, but, someone needs to tell that to the demons that haunt me all the time. I hope my saving fur babies counts at the end. I chose to save them rather than humans, because people have the capacity to change their life style... animals don't have that choice. Either way, I don't suppose Id have much of a say in where I land.
 
Pearly Gates? Really? Who would contrive such a grandiose show? A gated community filled with snobs that won't allow any beggars or riff-raff. It's the pious answer to exclusive night clubs.
I used the words "Pearly Gates" in the thread title as a bit of a joke really.

My guess is, should such a place exist in any form, those deprived people you mentioned have the best shot at entry! :)
 
I think the sentiments in this song about not being afraid to fall in love may resonate with a few people:

Some good/inspiring lyrics to this song "Dont be scared" by Yoko Ono too:

Don't be scared
Don't be scared
Don't be scared to love
Better to love than never love at all
Don't be scared

Don't be shy
Don't be shy
Don't be shy to tell
You may lose the chance to tell
Don't be shy

When your hearts are lit
Drop your survival kit
Then you never have to
Run or split

Sun in the east
Moon in the west
This boat's moving slow
There's no land in sight at all
Away we go

Don't be scared
Don't be scared
Don't be scared to love
It's better to love than never love at all
Don't be scared
 
Hehe , I have videos of Saint Peter before he was a saint.
When I lived in Jersey City, New Jersey, I lived near St. Peter's College. Maybe I can fib and say I went to some of the St. Peter's Division 1, basketball games, and cheered on the Peacocks! They made it to the elite eight in the tournament last year. I might say that I was rooting for them. Now that I think of it, I was.
 
I used the words "Pearly Gates" in the thread title as a bit of a joke really.

My guess is, should such a place exist in any form, those deprived people you mentioned have the best shot at entry! :)
OK, OK, it's a metaphor for an idea. I get that. I think most people do, but then, I'm not sure most people do.
 
If He looks past my many mistakes He’ll see a good human being that puts others first. Just yesterday I let a lady go in front of me at Subway and got completely screwed over! 3 sandwiches and a tuna salad! Every single item methodically called out! She even said “tuna” in the tuna salad! OMG! Yes, putting others first.
 
He’ll tire of me quickly, “How much did these streets of gold cost and how do you get them to float up here?”
 


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