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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 the place where [[God]] dwells.  It 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.]]

In [[Christianity]] heaven is being in the presence of God with places prepared for us by Jesus and is viewed as eternal bliss beyond that which can currently be known.  We will be given new bodies that do not decay and death will be gone.  Marriage is not a part of heaven.  It is possible there are different 'levels' of heaven.

In [[Christianity]] heaven is being in the presence of God with places prepared for us by [[Jesus]] and is viewed as eternal bliss beyond that which can currently be known.  We will be given new bodies that do not decay and death will be gone.  Marriage is not a part of heaven.  It is possible there are different 'levels' of heaven.

    

    

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.

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).

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).