Heaven has influenced politics, decided the course of nations, become
the obsession of learned scholars, and inspired countless works of art.
Most of all, the promise of heaven has determined how people have lived
their lives...and how they've died. Through interviews with religious
scholars and leaders, we explore the concept of heaven and its rich
history. We trace the evolution of the idea of an afterlife--from
ancient Egypt, through Renaissance writers and artists whose work it
inspired, to the uniquely American vision that traveled across the sea
on the Mayflower--and explore other religious views of heaven. Our
experts also tackle the difficult subject: Can only those who accept
Jesus Christ be admitted to heaven? What of the virtuous of other
religions? Will they be excluded because they aren't Christian? Our
experts discuss this delicate question, reflecting on the idea that
perhaps a heaven as we know it waits for each of us on the other side
of death.