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What do Christians believe about life after death? How are these beliefs shown in the rituals and practices which surround the death of a believer?
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There is general agreement between all the respective denominations of the Christian religion that there is life after death. Christians believe in the Paschal Mystery (the life, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ). Life on earth is a preparation for eternity in heaven, a place of such beauty that it is incomprehensible to mankind, or hell with Satan and his demons, where all are tormented and tortured, separated from God, with no hope of mercy and relief. The strictest Christians think that most humans will go to hell after they die and that only those few who have been "saved" will go to heaven. Salvation requires repentance of sins and trusting Jesus as one's Lord and Saviour. People who have been saved and make it to heaven will not all be treated equally. Believers who have done many good deeds will be rewarded more in heaven; believers who have led an evil life will be rewarded less. Roman Catholics also believe in a place called purgatory. If a person dies in a state of grace, but loves God imperfectly then his or her soul immediately enters purgatory. Here they suffer for a time in order to cleanse themselves of their accumulated imperfections, venial sins and faults. Any mortal sins that they have committed and for which they have been forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance may have some residual temporal punishment still remaining.
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