God is in the Here and Now. Attempting to regulate human behavior, religious institutions have promulgated the notion that after death the “soul,” some conscious element of each of us, is transported to a place of eternal bliss (Heaven) – or damned to eternal torment. These kinds of illogical “articles of faith,” because they defy current, informed, adult reason, are actually counterproductive. Rather than help humans live better lives, these notions drive them away from believing in God altogether. There is no cosmic gatekeeper; no place in the clouds where we will foregather. Some who reject God may live in a comfortable hell, missing out on the true sweetness of Life; others may suffer needlessly, causing harm to themselves and others.
We human beings attain salvation by living in conscious contact with God right here, right now. The blessed energy we emanate from a God-centered life is suffused over the world and it remains to do good forever; in that sense do we achieve everlasting life, Heaven on earth.
Nick Hilton - Reflections 