Reincarnation

[Guest Frank Zappa Mask]

Growing up in a "Catholic household", it was always be good and be assured of going to Heaven, be bad and be assured of going to Hell. Real balck-and-white like, with this being your only shot. In my four years here at the U. of Michigan, I would have to say amongst the various ways my mind has expanded, the concept of reincarnation has struck me rather deeply. Everyone is familiar enough with the concept of karma, and even someone with very little exposure to Eastern religion can firmly grasp the concept that "what goes around comes around." Admittedly, because of my background and influences and the way I was raised, reincarnation was a tough cookie to get around at first if only for my simple desire to get in good after I kick the bucket. In a sense, that desire still exists, but it is with the understanding that this life is not "it", it is yet one more part on a very long journey whose end may be nowhere in sight. What you are doing right now, what you have done in the past, and what you will do in the future will determine where you go next on this journey, and whether or not you get closer to the end zone or not. Indeed, to have this understanding erases any fear of death. To come to grips with the concept of death (if that is truly possible) and its beauty is one of the most important things you can do, for you and only you can choose the seeds of karma that will blossom upon the moment of leaving this life and determine what's next. In any case, hug a tree and all that crap, but in all serious, I'd fookin love to hear everyone's opinion on reincarnation and karma in general. Peace in the Middle East.......

[Guest J*ingus]

Well, reincarnation is actually almost identical to the idea of heaven and hell. Either way, you're rewarded or punished for how you did in this life. The only difference is, with reincarnation this keeps on happening; in Christianity, you only get one shot at it.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

(Note that I trimmed down on this letter to reduce the preachy-sounding stuff.)

 

I take the Jesse Ventura philosophy:

"Religion is a crutch for the weak-minded."

 

Now, I'm not going to just sit and blather nonsense. I went to private religious schools for eight years of my life, got a lot of knowledge of general Catholicism, but something about it just doesn't sit right for me.

 

So as such, I see the body simply as a bunch of organs that will eventually, through either abuse or age, shut down and take you down with them. There's no holy science-baffling "soul" or whatever that goes to any afterlife or reincarnates in a new body.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

When you die, you die.

 

THE END

 

That's my opinion...

[Guest WhenDanSaysJump]

There's no holy science-baffling "soul" or whatever that goes to any afterlife or reincarnates in a new body.

No soul? Hmmm. I refuse to believe that the feeling of satisfaction I get after a really desperately-required piss is just a bunch of chemical reactions as opposed to relief stirring in my soul...

[Guest DARRYLXWF]

I've had a few experiences in my life which make me believe that there's something that today's science hasn't come across yet (see the strange dreams thread in general chat for my example). But I certainly HOPE there is a heaven or reincarnation. And quite frankly, having faith for a promising future is better than having no faith or motivation at all.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I really hope there isn't an afterlife or reincarnation, because if there is, I'm going to hell, or else I'm coming back as an ant, to avenge the cruelty I subjected every anthill in my backyard as a child. I mean, it wasn't just fryin' em with a magnifying glass, I'd tempt them into castles of torture made of legos and bait them with food, then come out a couple hours later and lay waste to them with the unforgiving point of focused light.

 

I was a weird little kid.

[Guest Bosstones Fan]

I really hope there isn't an afterlife or reincarnation, because if there is, I'm going to hell, or else I'm coming back as an ant, to avenge the cruelty I subjected every anthill in my backyard as a child. I mean, it wasn't just fryin' em with a magnifying glass, I'd tempt them into castles of torture made of legos and bait them with food, then come out a couple hours later and lay waste to them with the unforgiving point of focused light.

 

I was a weird little kid.

Actually, you seem like you'd be a cool kid to hang out with.

[Guest CED Ordonez]

When you die, you die.

 

THE END

I'm pretty much going with that despite the Catholic in me.

 

But if I go to Heaven, that's all good.

If I go to Hell, I'll see you all there.

And if I'm reincarnated, it better not suck in the next life.

[Guest big Dante Cruz]

I'm a Heaven/Hell Christian, myself, but I'd have to wonder, is there any way out of the whole reincarnation thing? And what do you do between lives?

 

EDIT: Yes, I know that reincarnation, if you live enough consecutive good lives, leads to nirvana or Our Lady Peace or something...

[Guest danielisthor]

EDIT: Yes, I know that reincarnation, if you live enough consecutive good lives, leads to nirvana or Our Lady Peace or something...

i would rather come back as Metallica's new bassist, but thats just me.

[Guest Retro Rob]

I'm in the "When you die, your dead period" camp for all my usual reasons. Check the Calling all Christians thread incase you forgot.

 

I think of reincarnation as just another way for people to cope with dying. Same goes for heaven. On the other hand, hell, IMO, was created to more or less scare people into being good. The same could go for reincarnation.

 

Anytime I hear people talking about heaven, I can't help but think about how lame it sounds. As stated it Train's Drops of Jupiter, "Heaven is overrated".

[Guest Matt Young]

It's interesting that you posted this, as I have recently began intent study into the idea of reincarnation, along with many other spiritual and metaphysical concepts such as astral projection, telepathy, telekinesis and guardian spirits. I have had ideas on these subjects for quite some time, but as of now I don't have enough knowledge to go off on a rant or make a concrete decision on whether or not I believe in such things 100%. However, I am seriously leaning toward a "yes" answer. This may sound crazy, but I have had a handful of supernatural experiences and I do believe in the concept of past lives. I have had flashbacks and dreams that make me believe in my existence in a prior form. That would, of course, only be possible via reincarnation. So, although I wouldn't bet my life on it, I do for the most part believe in reincarnation.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

 

EDIT: Yes, I know that reincarnation, if you live enough consecutive good lives, leads to nirvana or Our Lady Peace or something...

i would rather come back as Metallica's new bassist, but thats just me.

I'd like to do that and hit lars with a brick.

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

You know, I really hope there is re-incarnation, and this may sound silly, but it's because I'm scared of being BORED in Heaven.

 

I mean, eternity is a LONG FUCKING TIME, and the concept of something lasting forever and ever and ever and ever and ever kind of scares me, to be quite honest. I mean, 100 billion years could pass, and it'd be NOTHING to you.

 

I'm just worried I'll get there, and after a few millenia, get bored. And it's not like you can kill yourself and end it...

 

At least if I am re-incarnated, then it changes things up.

[Guest treble charged]

I'm in the "When you die, your dead period" camp for all my usual reasons.

That kind of contradicts your avatar, though, doesn't it?

[Guest Retro Rob]

It's a figure of speech.

[Guest Choken One]

I'm in the area that leans towards no actual heaven exists...It's just something we made to belive that our lives have some critical meaning.

 

No, we live our 67 years...die...get buried and that's the end. we all wind up rotten corpses. The astroid will hit and all evidence of humans cease to exist...for the next evoultion of beings.