Reincarnation

A scientific rebuttal to reincarnation

The concept of reincarnation is widely accepted among non-Christians, probably because it appeals to many who would like to believe that they would be given a second chance in case they failed to make the grade in this life. Christianity disputes reincarnation because it is unnecessary, since anybody can "make the grade" simply through an act of their own will through faith in Jesus Christ. The scientific rebuttal to reincarnation is quite simple. Because of the population explosion, more people are currently living on the earth than have ever lived on the earth for the entire history of humankind. In other words, over half of the people who have ever lived on earth have never died even once! There simply are not enough dead souls to go around for a second time. This does not absolutely eliminate reincarnation, but it does severely restrict its extent, especially for those who have claimed to have lived several times before. However, some people (not in the Americans) believe that souls can be reincarnated into or from animals. In that case, it is possible that many people have been frogs before they became princes. Also, too many have claimed to be the same kings, knights, and ladies of the Middle Age.

Hindu

Reincarnation is a religious belief found in Eastern Religions (Asian religions). Reincarnation states that the soul is immortal or a consciousness survives physical death to be reborn, reincarnated into a new body (human, animal, or spirit). Reincarnation is found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The reincarnation cycle (sometimes called samsara) is governed by karma. Karma is the teaching that the actions in one life (current or past) determine the nature of this life or the next. Karma is not cause and effect; as in Karma, it is always your fault. If someone ran a red light and hit you, it is because you did something to deserve it, in this life or a past one (karmic consequences). The ultimate goal in many traditions is to break the cycle of rebirth, achieving Nirvana, moksha, or liberation from suffering, or returning in a higher form, such as that of a sacred cow. Transmigration refers to the soul passing from one body to another, including animal forms. The belief in reincarnation is closely linked to vegetarianism, as one might accidentally eat a relative (person). Hindu Reincarnation (samsara - cyclic rebirth) roots date back about 800 BC. Reincarnation remains a fundamental belief for most Hindus.

Buddhism teaches reincarnation, rebirth as Buddhism is just a branch of Hinduism. Buddhism by karma and desire, this cycle of life, death, and rebirth is known as Samsara. The rebirth continues until enlightenment (called Nirvana) is achieved, ending the cycle of suffering (thus rejects the sacred cow). Karma (any bad thing that happens to you) is the same as Hindu's, it is always your fault.

New Age Movement

Hinduism's original form is not palatable to most Americans, so it was repackaged into the New Age Movement in the US and other Western nations. In the New Age Movement, reincarnation is only into humans (not plants and animals). The memory of past lives is popular in the New Age Movement. Trances and or channeling (sometimes drugs are used) are used to call up memories or experiences from previous lives. In the New Age Movement, Karma is now taught as cause and effect; no longer in the original form. The Hindu creation story or god's sweat is removed. Yoga, cryistals and meditation are important parts of the New Age Movement. The caste system is removed, as if it was not part of Eastern Religions.

Major problem in reincarnation: We have had meetings with three men who claim to have been Alexadar the Great and two women who claim to have been Cleopatra. I am sure there are many more. Experience has shown that many in reincarnation seem to be storytellers who like attention and the glory of being important people of the past. Other stories are ones of being kings, knights, and ladies of the Middle Ages. Other popular stories are about life lived in the mystical city of Atlantis.

Clearly, if reincarnation were real, there would be only one Alexadar the Great and one Cleopatra alive today. Reincarnation gives one grandeur of oneself. Many people view reincarnation as a benign belief. They say, “Why not let people believe in reincarnation? What harm can it do?” It can do a great deal of harm. A major component of reincarnation belief systems is that the next life is predicated on one’s performance in the previous life (a work system). The consequences of these reincarnation beliefs are that people born into wealth and high status tend to believe that they deserve their wealth and life of ease, and that it is their right to be served and financially sustained by people born into lesser states. Likewise, people born into poverty, suffering, and persecution tend to see themselves as paying for the misdeeds of their past lives and that through such payments they have the promise of a better future life.

Physics Limitations: Laws of physics and characteristics of the universe, such as entropy, make "cosmic reincarnation" (a universe that dies and repeats), not possible. A major problem is if only existing souls were being recycled, the human population should remain constant, which is not the case. The Hindu Vedas state that the universe goes through an infinite number of cycles of births, deaths, and rebirths, where the period is 4.32 billion years (the universe is 13.7 billion years old).

Compared to the message of the Bible: Reincarnation is work-based salvation, not only working off "sins" (Karma) of this life, but "sins" (Karma) of past lives. The message of the Bible is that any works-based salvation will never deliver a person from the actions done in one's life. The God of the Bible offers free forgiveness to anyone who, of their free will, fellowships with him. Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat (fellowship) with that person, and they with me." John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." The "eternal life" is life in the New Creation. See God of the Bible and New Creation pages. All reincarnation models fail also as they all claim that the universe also reincarnate We now know that the universe will continue to a "heat death" and not rebounce or reincarnate. See space-time page and hope page.

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Ancient Greek:

Reincarnation appeared in Ancient Greek philosophy, like that of Plato, Pythagoras, and Orphic. The Reincarnation was part of Ancient Greek Orphic mystery cult from ~600 to 500 BC. Reincarnation (metempsychosis) was not a universal belief system in ancient Greece. The cult taught that souls could be freed from this cycle of reincarnation after living philosophically for three consecutive lifetimes. Reincarnation was rejected by Stoics and Epicureans.