Well said Acacian. One thing is for sure, we will all find out what is and isn't after our last human breath. Id be willing to guess that the true nature of all things and reality are more complex than can be explained or described here and now so I dont spend a lot of time pondering these questions now like I used to.

One thought I did have while reading some of the newer replies is the remark that it seems un-natural to think we all just live in this world as people then everything goes black. Heaven is and can be used as an alternate explanation, the Judea Christian idea of heaven in-particular to me shares the same un-natural feeling. Just as it would seem like quite a waste to only live this one life and everything just ends, Its also equally a wast IMO to exist as a spirit in and eternal place such as heaven and never move on or progress. Its the same kind of thing.

If their is some type of destination our spirits or our consciousness go to Id like to envision it as a way station, like a layover at an airport as our consciousness waits, possibly reviews its past life before it embarks on being embodied once again is some other form and dimension.