I’ve done various forms of this exercise over the years. Take this survey with me and then we’ll debrief at the end.

Do you believe in heaven? What do you think it’s like?

Picture 3 people who you think went there when they passed away and imagine what they’re experiencing:

1. Someone from the Bible, or someone famous
2. A friend or someone you knew well
3. A family member or close relative

Do you believe in hell? What do you think it’s like?

Picture 3 people who you think went there when they passed away and imagine what they’re experiencing:

1. Someone from the Bible, or someone famous
2. A friend or someone you knew well
3. A family member or close relative

Usually when I’ve asked Christians, they believe in both heaven and hell. But when I get specific, they sound like universalists. They can think of lots of people who’ve somehow gone to heaven even though they didn’t show any signs of Jesus as their Lord in this life. And then they can’t think of anyone they knew who’s gone to hell. “It’s not our place to judge” or “we can’t know” – phrases that didn’t come up during the heaven discussion.

Why is that?

See also: The End is Coming and The End in Mind