Claim. The self chooses heaven or hell — neither I nor God decides — by orienting either to complaint and self-centeredness (hell) or to gratitude and public-mindedness (heaven).
Elaboration. SMM puts the decision authority sharply on the individual: “You decide whether you go to heaven or hell. I do not decide. God does not decide. You are the one who decides. If you complain, it is hell. If you go with a grateful heart to places where you would have complained, it is heaven” (2.6. We choose to go to heaven or hell, 96-122, 1978.1.2). The criterion is binary and orientation-based: “Being public means living for the greater good … Being private means putting yourself first. Living for your own sake leads to hell. Public-mindedness leads to heaven” (ibid, 121-127, 1982.10.24). Even Satan’s accusations are no longer the issue: “Not even Satan can accuse God for His love in trying to save humanity. There is no rule preventing forgiveness for the one who repents through the love of his parents” (ibid, 62-51, 1972.9.10). Eternal destiny becomes the cumulative outcome of habitual orientation, not a sovereign divine verdict, removing both arbitrariness and despair.