My Dad has died and I find no comfort in Christianity

[Minniethemoocher]

My Dad died last month, very suddenly. We were very close and I miss him so much, it is almost a physical pain, in the pit of my stomach.

I would say that I was a Christian, but my vicar preaches that only Christians that accept Jesus as their lord and Saviour will go to heaven. My father was a very good man, kind, never hurt anyone in his life, but was not a Christian. He did have a vague belief in God, and was spiritual, but not a Christian, in fact he didn't like organised religion of any kind, thought it was the cause of wars and suffering in the world.

So I get no comfort from my Christian belief. I so want to believe that my darling Dad is in heaven or that his spirit survives and he is at peace, but Christianity, at least as preached by my Church tells me that he cannot be, as he was not a Christian.

I feel so lost and alone and I am questioning whether Christianity is the way to God...maybe I need to look elsewhere for the answer.

Looking for answers/comments from all, regardless of your own beliefs/religion.

Minnie

Sorry, that last sentence should have read - I believe that when people die, they live on in the people they leave behind.
krazykoolkazza's post echoes what I believe.

minnie i am sorry for your loss.
i think perhaps you need to speak to someone else within your faith, not reject it completely. christianity has a great many positive aspects, but can be interpreted harshly by differing people.
i am muslim btw, and i have also heard this idea that only muslims can go to heaven. BUt my mom pointed out to me that God has said he will judge everyone according to their actions and only he decides who goes to heaven and who doesnt. we humans cannot give a blanket ruling on who goes where because we are not the judges nor do we have the criteria for judging. she pointed out that God is merciful and kind and forgiving.
hth

cylonbabe - lovely sentiments. As a Christian, I hear that only those who have accepted Jesus as their saviour can go to heaven. We are not on a level with God, nor should we put ourselves there. Only God determines who is there with him. Obviously we hope that we will be, but we cannot and should not judge how God will judge us and others.

Sorry for your loss minnie. I don't think it matters what your father's beliefs were its how he lived his life that counts, and as long as you and everyone who knew him remembers him his spirit lives on.

What I think might help you some time in the future is 'Miss him but let him go'

Thank you for your replies. Cyclonbabe, my vicar also told me that Muslims won't go to heaven and I don't believe that it true either!!!

Islam seems a very good religion and another route to God.

I think that if you trust and believe in God, whatever your faith, then a loving God will accept you, so I think that I still have my faith in God, I just don't believe that it is only Christians who will go to heaven,that just cannot be right.

Minnie