OK, well it would be appreciated if you would have stated that more in your opening post. That way others know exactly where your coming from, and what your defending.
As it is, it looks like your asking about heaven with no preconceived notions. When others try to answer that I think they might feel a little jumped because you do have a position your trying to defend but it seems like your hiding that.
This is too important of a topic to kick around. Many people have been attracted to Christianity and are seeking the Lord for this very reason, the after life. People have lost love ones and struggle deeply with this topic. I'm asking that we be more sensitive. Please state your position, in your OP. Say what you believe so that others can clearly know what that is and engage the subject as honestly as possible. Can you go back and edit that OP please? Make it a little cleaner? Otherwise this thread is going to deteriorate into confusion as you see it has to some degree.