Is heaven a bribe

Answer 1

Another answer from our community:

There is no reason to look at heaven as a bribe anymore than longevity is for living a healthy life. Think of it as more a result. Suggesting that is could even be a bribe is more than a little egocentric.

No specific religion can promise it to anyone. No religion can deliver it. Religion is an invention of man. Spirituality is a gift from the Creator. It's all a matter of perspective.

Actually, the only place in scripture where a "heavenly reward" is suggested is Christ's words to the thief on the cross.

Answer 2

An interesting question. When religion offers heaven as a reward for being good, it does seem similar to a bribe. When religion offers heaven as a reward for going to church or for contributing to the Church's success through donations or attendance, then this seems very much to be a bribe.

The questions then are whether heaven actually exists and whether it is God who offers this reward, or his representatives on earth. The answers to these questions bear on whether the promise of heaven is a moral issue for the church or mosque, or just an innocent 'bribe'.

Answer 3

You might rather want to ask "Are promises of heaven a bribe?"Heaven (afterlife-reward) itself cannot be a bribe, since it cannot be handed to us by any human, nor does God himself choose to impose it upon us. It is we who must choose to do God's will (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) in order to merit His rewards.

The prospect of heavenly reward for the righteous should be self-understood, so much so that the Torah doesn't take the trouble to state it explicitly (Kli Yakar commentary, Leviticus 26). It is a tradition which came earlier than the Torah, and which the later sources (Prophets and Talmud) mention only in order to help keep its belief from eventually weakening.

See also:

More about the afterlife

Answer 4

No, heaven is not a bribe. Belief in a higher power and the concept of an afterlife like heaven is a part of many religious beliefs and provides comfort and hope for many people. It is seen as a reward for living a virtuous life and following the teachings of that belief system.