Where the followers of different religions go after death?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“The persons whose family follow such procedures in Sanatana dharma have some hope of getting through properly (to the higher worlds after death), but what happens to those who do not follow the sanatana dharma at all i.e. the Abrahmic religions etc.”
REPLY:
Where the followers of different religions go after death have been explained in the scriptures related to every religion.
In case the persons of other religions die, they should perform the rituals recommended for them by their religions.
If the people of other religions had lived for the service of others (or) had led a life of celibacy, they too will get good treatments after death in heavens.
(Why many gods in the Hindu Religion of India unlike all other religions? READ HERE!)
Had they too lived a selfish life without any use for others, hurting others and committing sins, they too will face all the punishments and ill treatments after death.
The procedures recommended by the Lord are common for all. Most of the religions mention heavens and hells in their scriptures!
But, the types of Punishments for sins and rewards for good deeds and also where the followers of different religions go after death differ because they had got their birth in a religion based on their karma.
There can be only two choices:
(i) Whatever religion you belong to, if you live for the welfare of others or helping others, you will get good treatments after death and also a heavenly life.
(ii) If you had lived a selfish life, perform the recommended rituals atleast after death thru children and get some relaxation from punishments.
These rules are flexible for the persons of other religions as asked by you.
Let me explain why and how.
Firstly, getting birth in a particular country with a particular culture itself is because of our previous karma.
(I am unable to have association with my friends from other religions? What to do? READ HERE!)
If we make assumptions strictly based on the karma system, we can get an idea like this:
– Those who were atheists in their previous births may take birth in the countries that have no liberal practice of any religion. Eg: Communist countries.
– Those who were god believers and also fond of meat eating in their previous births may take birth in the religions that do not prohibit meat eating.
– Those who had performed many good and pious deeds in their previous births may take birth in the spiritual countries like India.
– Those who had more desires to enjoy life and earn liberally in their previous births may take birth in the rich countries where there are liberal culture, like America.
Thus, even taking birth in a particular country or society or religion is based on one’s Previous karma.
(How our next country and religion of birth are decided by karma? READ HERE!)
If we take birth in a particular country or society or religion based on our Previous karma, that means, the social and spiritual rules may also be different.
(i) For example, Those who took birth in the countries following Islam, as per their karma, they are destined to follow Islam and the rules of Islam.
If they follow the rules of Islam sincerely, they may reach the destination after death as specified by their holy books. Islam too speaks about destination after death.
Quran 31:8 calls a destination after death as “Gardens of Pleasure”. They believe that by living religiously, asking Allah for forgiveness and leading a good life, they get the PARADISE after death and their good actions are rewarded on the last day.
In their belief, the deceased soul visits the family members on the 7th and 40th day after death.
(ii) Those who took birth in the countries following Christianity as per their karma, are destined to follow Christianity and the rules of Christianity.
According to Bible, one who dies goes to the New Earth, ie, heaven if he had faith in Jesus and the non believers will go into the lake of fire forever, ie, the eternal hell.
(Is abandoning Sampradhaya by birth to join ISKCON sinful? READ HERE!)
(iii) Those who took birth in the countries following Hinduism, ie, Sanatana dharma as per their karma, are destined to follow Sanatana dharma and the rules of Sanatana dharma.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, whoever we worship, after death, we will reach their worlds. For example, if we worship Devas, we go to their worlds. If we worship Lord Shiva, we go to Kailasa. If we worship Krishna, we go to His eternal world Goloka.
According to Hinduism, even the world of Brahma is the material world and even Brahma has death.
Thus, like we have different destinations in hinduism, other religions also have their own worlds or destinations.
Now, a person may be a Hindu. If he follows the Hinduism sincerely now, he may again take birth as a Hindu. If he develops the affinity for other religions and develop the qualities mentioned in other religions, they take birth in other religions.
Though the religions are just the way of life followed in different parts of the world, we take birth in a religion based on our way of life in this birth.
(Knowing where our ancestors went after death! Some Tips! READ HERE!)
If we take birth in a particular religion as per our karma, we are expected to follow the rules of that religion and then reach the destination after death as per the scriptures of that religion.
Now, we are following Sanatana dharma. So, after death, our destination and punishments may be given as per our karma in this birth.
After those rewards and punishments as per Sanatana dharma, we may be given a birth in other religion if we had affinity for that more. So, in our next birth, our destination after death will be according to their religious beliefs.
If a today’s Christian shows interest in Hinduism (like western ISKCON devotees), their next birth may be as a Hindu.
Interestingly, most of the religions speak of Ghosts in different names like Satan, evil souls, etc.
I have just made a basic observation here. You have to develop this topic further in your mind based on the core points given by me in this matter.
This is the simplest explanation possible for this matter.
Hope you are clear about where the followers of different religions go after death.
(Is Changing religion to come out of all problems right? READ HERE!)