I believe in reincarnation. I think that one of the main purposes in life is to learn all that you can and it seems unreasonable and unlikely that you would learn that much in one life time. I think each time we are born we are meant to learn one particular thing, though that doesn't exclude you from learning other things as you go. Also, once you do learn what you were supposed to in that life you die and take it with you to the next life where you are meant to learn something else. Throughout each lifetime we learn a little more and then I believe we reach a point to where we become enlightened and go up to heaven which is the end of the journey, and our soul stays there forever. I also believe that everything happens for a reason and it's all to help you on your journey and to help you accomplish your goal.

I believe in reincarnation. I think that one of the main purposes in life is to learn all that you can and it seems unreasonable and unlikely that you would learn that much in one life time. You know, I used to feel this way too. It all sounds so logical, reincarnation. It's a wonderful human theory that seems to fit everything in just the right place. But these days that's one of the reasons I don't believe in it any more. To fit our world into a human theory In my opinion doesn't do justice to its awesome mystery. Not that I advocate throwing reason out the window, I don't. But I do advocate allowing spirituality to inform reason, and not reason to limit spirituality. Reincarnation theory seems to put the proverbial cart before the horse.

Now as for the idea that we can't learn everything in one lifetime, on this I'm in agreement (except perhaps for a very few saints). Buy why can't we continue to learn in the afterlife? This is the whole idea of Purgatory. We're not reincarnated but still evolve in our journey.

Something to think about... :)

The idea of Purgatory is no more supported than that of reincarnation.

Hi,

To me reincarnation makes absolute sense to me. Its not possible for us to learn everything we can learn in one life. And how is that we all know things or are wise about certain things that other people are not? Things that we haven't learnt in this life, but just know. I definitely believe in reincarnation. To climb the spiritual ladder it takes time, and one lifetime is not enough.

The idea of Purgatory is no more supported than that of reincarnation. Some would disagree with you. Perhaps we could agree that it is an alternative hypothesis that some believers in reincarnation theory seem unwilling to consider.:rolleyes:

The problem with this reincarnation idea is this. We have a lot of books ABOUT religion, but we only have one book that claims to be a message from our Creator to us, but there are so many who refuse to consider that this claim might be true. Without it, we have no compass or map and are left to figure things out on our own. Of course, life is indeed too short to learn everything for ourself, (recent post). You wouldn't think of trying to navgate the globe without charts and method of determining position. Why try to navigate life without proper tools?

we only have one book that claims to be a message from our Creator to us, but there are so many who refuse to consider that this claim might be true.
If you looked, I think you could find quite a few books that make such a claim. If you did, would you be willing "to consider that this claim might be true"?


Without it, we have no compass or map and are left to figure things out on our own. Of course, life is indeed too short to learn everything for ourself, (recent post). You wouldn't think of trying to navgate the globe without charts and method of determining position. Why try to navigate life without proper tools?
You seem to be saying that all the people who lived and died without the benefit of being able to read the Bible--the vast majority of those who have ever lived--didn't have "the proper tools" to reach their spiritual destiny. Is God that dependent on the printed word?

You wouldn't think of trying to navgate the globe without charts and method of determining position. Why try to navigate life without proper tools?By 'tools' do you mean the Bible? 'Cause myself and millions of others do just great without it.

You wouldn't think of trying to navgate the globe without charts and method of determining position. Why try to navigate life without proper tools?Very interesting analogy. I often apply a similar analogy in trying to develop my own cosmology (map of the universe). By 'universe' I'm not just talking about things outwardly visible but also numinous (http://web.ncf.ca/dy656/earthpages3/articles_numinosity.htm) experiences, which suggest realms that somehow interact with the visible. If you are referring to the Bible (there are other holy books that make similar claims) then we have to remember that any text is subject to interpretation. Hence the need, In my opinion, for dialogue between a scientific mindset and a faith-based one. This is really what I've been hinting at in these posts. A truly scientific person should consider as many hypotheses as deemed relevant. Reincarnation is one. Purgatory is another. Both try to account for - on an intellectual level - the idea that we can't learn everything in one lifetime. It's true that some believers in Purgatory might not consider reincarnation. But at the same time, I think that some believers in reincarnation might not consider Purgatory. I've considered both because I apply a scientific approach to spirituality.

On the issue of navigational 'tools' some would also add things like language which, they say, both makes sense of and shapes our world. But the message of the Bible, In my opinion, is indispensable because of Jesus' ethical teachings and example. Other world scriptures have said similar things. But not quite the same way as Christ. I believe that if we strive to follow Christ's ethical doctrine of peace, love, forgiveness, non-violence and selfless service, then new spiritual experiences could arise that inform our cosmological understanding.

I think all the great books of religion give us a guideline, but there is probably a lot more to learn and we should.

On the issue of navigational 'tools' some would also add things like language which, they say, both makes sense of and shapes our world. But the message of the Bible, IMHO, is indispensable because of Jesus' ethical teachings and example. Other world scriptures have said similar things. But not quite the same way as Christ. I believe that if we strive to follow Christ's ethical doctrine of peace, love, forgiveness, non-violence and selfless service, then new spiritual experiences could arise that inform our cosmological understanding.That's the point I'm trying to get across - there are millions of us who do not care to follow christ or read the bible yet we are ethical, love peace, love one another, have forgiveness and are selfless. All that did not come from a ife of devotion to a god, we're just like that because we were raised that way. And that's how I'm raising my kids.

That's the point I'm trying to get across - there are millions of us who do not care to follow christ or read the bible yet we are ethical, love peace, love one another, have forgiveness and are selfless.Check out these New Testament passages (click on links):

Mark 2:17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not (http://bible.cc/mark/2-17.htm)

Matthew 9:13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE COMPASSION, (http://bible.cc/matthew/9-13.htm)

When I was two I began calling my grandmother by a name only ever used by her own father for her. He died a year before I was born. I also told her that I forgave her. It scared the hell out of her at first. So, do I believe in reincarnation? I don't know but my Grandmother says she does now.

I believe in reincarnation. I am atheist, however, and I have lived for hundreds of years. I am physically sixteen. It makes little sense to me; being a sixteen year old girl in Africa.

It explains my de ja vu, familiarity with people whom I have just met, immediate understanding of humans, unreal bonds with humans, recurring dreams where in which I am a Native American. My profound attraction to certain colours, textures and sound. I am certain.

Closed, why a new members goes to a 5 year old post to answer is beyond me.