T
here may be about 250 years between the lives and works of Emanuel Swedenborg and Sylvia Browne, but their descriptions of Heaven and Hell are remarkably similar in some aspects. Both are fasci- nated with the organization of the Other Side.Swedenborg describes three Heavens: the natural, the spiritual, and the celestial. These levels are distinct, and angels from each level cannot communicate.87 Browne’s Heaven is a mere three feet above the ground88
and only one level, not three. Here, everyone speaks Aramaic.89 Both agree
that Heaven is quite beautiful, with mountains, valleys, seas, gardens, and plains. Browne says that the temperature is a constant 78º F.90
Most buildings in Browne’s Heaven are in the Greco-Roman style, al- though many famous structures such as the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Taj Mahal are there, as are the fabled libraries of Alexandria, the Vati- can, and Mecca.91 Swedenborg describes cities with palaces and houses,
businesses, books, gold and silver, and precious stones: everything to be found in the natural world but more perfect.92 Browne’s citizens live in
houses, erected and decorated by projected thought alone.93
Swedenborg says there are two cities in Heaven that resemble Lon- don, and that most of the English live there. The roofed and gated streets
of the Dutch district are designed to confuse and annoy nosy visitors so
they won’t interfere into Dutch business.94 People have occupations and
conduct business in Swedenborgian Heaven. In Browne’s Heaven, money and trade do not exist.
Browne says there is no sex or need for marriage in Heaven. Sweden- borg asserts that marriage and conjugal bliss are part of paradise.95 Adul-
tery, however, is not tolerated in Swedenborg’s Heaven and guarantees a ticket to Hell.96
All residents of Swedenborgian Heaven are angels, except for young children, who become angels when they attain wisdom as adolescents.97
Rich and poor alike are welcome. Hell has no demons or Satan, for those who choose lives of evil and self-love make their own misery. To Browne, angels are separate beings from humans.
Pets are a treasured group in Browne’s Heaven. All kinds of animals, even those now extinct, live harmoniously in Heaven—all, that is, except insects. Her Heaven is bug free (although insect pets are presumably tolerated).98
For Browne, Hell is repudiation of God, a bleak nothingness. At death the spirit immediately passes through the Left Door and reincarnates. Browne says that residents from the Other Side may wait for hundreds of years, but if they’re quick and grab that lost spirit before it passes through the Left Door it can be welcomed into God’s unconditional heavenly love.99 After all, Browne says confidently, when we are in Heaven, we are
j
Seeking consolation and confirmation from a psychic is both more common and less questionable than in years past. Robert Thompson, professor of media and popular culture at Syracuse University, notes that when faced with enormous and complicated issues, some people shun rational explanations and seek different answers.86
Following are descriptions of some of the most popular prognosti- cators and the media machine that supports them.
Heaven and Hell According to Swedenborg and Browne
T
here may be about 250 years between the lives and works of Emanuel Swedenborg and Sylvia Browne, but their descriptions of Heaven and Hell are remarkably similar in some aspects. Both are fasci- nated with the organization of the Other Side.Swedenborg describes three Heavens: the natural, the spiritual, and the celestial. These levels are distinct, and angels from each level cannot communicate.87 Browne’s Heaven is a mere three feet above the ground88
and only one level, not three. Here, everyone speaks Aramaic.89 Both agree
that Heaven is quite beautiful, with mountains, valleys, seas, gardens, and plains. Browne says that the temperature is a constant 78º F.90
Most buildings in Browne’s Heaven are in the Greco-Roman style, al- though many famous structures such as the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Taj Mahal are there, as are the fabled libraries of Alexandria, the Vati- can, and Mecca.91 Swedenborg describes cities with palaces and houses,
businesses, books, gold and silver, and precious stones: everything to be found in the natural world but more perfect.92 Browne’s citizens live in
houses, erected and decorated by projected thought alone.93
Swedenborg says there are two cities in Heaven that resemble Lon- don, and that most of the English live there. The roofed and gated streets
of the Dutch district are designed to confuse and annoy nosy visitors so
they won’t interfere into Dutch business.94 People have occupations and
conduct business in Swedenborgian Heaven. In Browne’s Heaven, money and trade do not exist.
Browne says there is no sex or need for marriage in Heaven. Sweden- borg asserts that marriage and conjugal bliss are part of paradise.95 Adul-
tery, however, is not tolerated in Swedenborg’s Heaven and guarantees a ticket to Hell.96
All residents of Swedenborgian Heaven are angels, except for young children, who become angels when they attain wisdom as adolescents.97
Rich and poor alike are welcome. Hell has no demons or Satan, for those who choose lives of evil and self-love make their own misery. To Browne, angels are separate beings from humans.
Pets are a treasured group in Browne’s Heaven. All kinds of animals, even those now extinct, live harmoniously in Heaven—all, that is, except insects. Her Heaven is bug free (although insect pets are presumably tolerated).98
For Browne, Hell is repudiation of God, a bleak nothingness. At death the spirit immediately passes through the Left Door and reincarnates. Browne says that residents from the Other Side may wait for hundreds of years, but if they’re quick and grab that lost spirit before it passes through the Left Door it can be welcomed into God’s unconditional heavenly love.99 After all, Browne says confidently, when we are in Heaven, we are
at Home. Believers choose when and if they will return.
64 ESP, PSychokinESiS, and PSychicS