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'''Heaven''' (literally 'the sky') is a location (either physical or spiritual) reserved as the afterlife in many religions especially the [[Abrahamic faiths]].  

'''Heaven''' (literally 'the sky') is a location (either physical or spiritual) reserved as the afterlife in many religions, especially the [[Abrahamic faiths]].  

[[Image:Paradiso Canto 31.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Dante and Beatrice gaze upon the highest Heaven (The Empyrean); from Gustave Doré's illustrations to the Divine Comedy, Paradiso Canto 31.]]

[[Image:Paradiso Canto 31.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Dante and Beatrice gaze upon the highest Heaven (The Empyrean); from Gustave Doré's illustrations to the Divine Comedy, Paradiso Canto 31.]]

The conditions to enter heaven (in Christianity, the state of "salvation") often revolve around some standard of piety. In Orthodox and Catholic Christianity belief in Jesus and and proper works are often considered necessary although in some versions sufficient good deeds can lead to entering heaven even without belief in Jesus. In Protestant Christianity there is a large amount of variance as to entry conditions. Certain groups, such as many evangelicals, believe that salvation comes from belief in [[Jesus]] and acceptance of Jesus as a "personal Lord and Savior" as a necessary and sufficient condition for entering heaven. This doctrine is know as [[Sola fide]]. Other Protestants, such as Anglicans, take a view very close to the view taken by Catholicism. Certain Protestants, such as Calvinists, have believed that salvation was [[predestiny|pre-destined]] and that individuals could not take any actions to alter their final state. Still others are universalist, believing that eventually everyone will enter heaven (although some of [[purgatory]] or a similar notion may be necessary). [[Judaism]] focuses much less on the nature and method of entering heaven, but has emphasized good deeds (''mitzvot'') over belief and has strong univeralist tendencies. [[Islam]] emphasises belief in God and acceptance of Muhammed as God's Prophet.

 

The conditions to enter heaven in [[Christianity]], (the state of "[[salvation]]") often revolve around some standard of piety achieved through knowing [[Jesus]]. In [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox]] and [[Catholic|Catholic Christianity]], belief in Jesus and proper works are often considered necessary and go hand in hand.  Sins of earth must first be cleansed through [[Purgatory]] before one can enter heaven.  In some versions sufficient good deeds can lead to entering heaven even without belief in Jesus if one never had the chance to know about Jesus.

 

In [[Protestant]] Christianity there is no one standard, but most denominations were started with the understanding that salvation comes from belief in [[Jesus]] and acceptance of Him as a "personal Lord and Savior". This doctrine is know as [[Sola fide]]. [[Luther]] summed it up as salvation by faith alone.  Much of Protestant and Catholic views can overlap with Catholics emphasizing good works  and Protestants emphasizing a relationship with Jesus - which then shows its 'fruits' through good works, although purgatory is usually not a concept that Protestant churches follow.  [[Anglicans]], who have a theology and church practice similar to Catholics, take a view very close to the view taken by Catholicism. Some Protestants, such as [[Calvinists]], believe that salvation is [[predestiny|pre-destined]] by God.  Those He has chosen will follow Him. Still others are universalist and hope that eventually everyone will enter heaven (although some of purging of sins may be necessary).

 

[[Judaism]] focuses much less on the nature and method of entering heaven, for which the [[Old Testament]] says little, but emphasize good deeds (''mitzvot'') on this earth and generally follows univeralist tendencies.  Much of Judaism does not believe in an afterlife. [[Islam]] emphasises belief in God and acceptance of [[Muhammed]] as God's Prophet. There is also a physical component not found in Christianity and Judaism.  If one dies in [[Jihad]], no matter how bad he had been during his life, he is immediately lifted to heaven and given 72 virgins.

 

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]