Could science ever prove Heaven?

Throughout history, humans have looked to the skies for answers, from ancient astronomers mapping the stars to modern telescopes exploring deep space. But science has yet to find physical evidence of heaven.

While near-death experiences and quantum theories about consciousness raise intriguing possibilities, the scientific method relies on observable, repeatable evidence—something heaven, as described in religious texts, has never provided.

The arguments

Many people have asked: Is heaven just spiritual or symbolic if it isn’t a real location in our universe?

Some theologians argue that heaven is a vision of God’s presence on Earth rather than a place in the hereafter. Others suggest that believing in heaven eases the sorrow and the loss, demonstrating its significance beyond empirical data.

However, some academics argue that the idea of life after death is supported by historical evidence of Jesus’ resurrection. Gary Habermas, a philosopher and historian who specialises on Jesus’ resurrection, has studied the topic in great detail. He uses evidence that most scholars agree upon, like as the empty tomb, post-mortem appearances, and the disciples’ change, to support his claim that the resurrection is supported by a “minimal facts” approach. According to him, these circumstances provide compelling evidence for the existence of life after death.

But near-death experiences (NDEs) raise the question of whether human consciousness may exist after physical death. People who have NDEs, such as those who are recovered after clinical death, frequently claim vivid experiences such as seeing a bright light, meeting deceased loved ones, or feeling at peace and detached from their bodies. These reports raise the question of whether consciousness (thoughts, awareness, and identity) can persist after the body dies, implying the possibility of an afterlife or existence after death.

The facts

According to religious writings, heaven is a realm of ultimate tranquilly where souls can exist in God’s presence. The Bible frequently depicts heaven as being “above” Earth, reaffirming customary imagery such as clouds, golden gates, and celestial lights.

Ancient cosmology saw Earth as flat, with the realm of the dead below and heaven above separated by a dome.

N.T. Wright, a lecturer at the University of St Andrews, contends that biblical heaven was originally God’s dwelling place, rather than humanity’s ultimate destination.

A philosopher at the University of Helsinki, Lari Launonen, states that the Bible describes a renewed, physical world rather than a purely spiritual afterlife.

By implying that the cosmos originated from a single point rather than coexisting with heaven, the Big Bang theory challenges the Genesis narrative.

There is still no scientific proof that heaven exists in our universe. A fabricated report that was later disproved stated that the Hubble Space Telescope had taken pictures of a celestial metropolis in 1994.

Paridaida, or Persian royal gardens, date back to 4000 BC and are similar to biblical accounts of the Garden of Eden.

Stephen Hawking is among the experts who dismissed the concept of heaven, describing it as “a fairy tale for people afraid of the dark.”