reply to post by TheLieWeLive
The Latterday Saints or Mormons practice the theory that if you died without being baptized you can't get into any heavens. (They believe heaven has
three stages depending on how you spent your life).
Only some of this is true.
As a former Mormon (I am now an atheist), I know for a fact that Mormons do not believe that individuals who were not baptized cannot make it into any
of the three stages of heaven. In fact, Mormons don't technically believe in hell; sure, they admit that one probably exists, but it is designated
for the true evild-doers that have existed throughout history (mass murderers, child rapists, and so on).
The three levels (as I remember) go in the following order:
The Telestial Kingdom- Beyond any beauty and peace we can ever imagine. Individuals who are in this kingdom have access to the Holy Spirit and his
love, but not the love or the presence of Jesus Christ or God, the Heavenly Father.
The Terrestrial Kingdom- Beyond any beauty and peace we can ever imagine. Individuals who are in this kingdom have access to the Holy Spirit and
Jesus Christ, as well as their love and presence. They do not have access to God, the Heavenly Father.
The Celestial Kingdom- Obviously, the best stage of heaven one can attain; individuals who are in this kingdom have access to the presence and love of
the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and God the Heavenly Father. You will be re-united with your family and live together for all eternity in everlasting
love.
Now, Mormons do believe that mostly Mormons make it into the Celestial Kingdom, but they do not claim that ONLY Mormons make it into the Celestial
Kingdom. In order to make the CK available to everyone, they conduct baptisms for the dead, which is believed to open the gates of the CK to said
baptised individual.
Kind of an odd belief, but one that is misunderstood by most in the general public. No longer being a member of the church, I do feel it is important
for people to at least understand it before passing judgement, as it is one of the most criticized religions in the United States (although some of it
may be deserving, but that is neither here nor there).