by Elaine Parrish

Created on: September 08, 2009   Last Updated: September 11, 2009

Alternative theories to reincarnation

In a discussion that includes reincarnation, we must define 'reincarnation' as a basic starting point. Most people have a definition in their minds, clear or muddled, of reincarnation. In order to avoid 'comparing apples to oranges', we need to clearly define - if only for the purpose of this article - 'reincarnation'.

A Google search, "define: reincarnation", returned the following results: (retrieved from [and copied verbatim] http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&fkt=30375&fsdt=61969&q=define%3A+reincarnation&aq=0&oq=define+reincar&aqi=l1g2)

"Definitions of reincarnation on the Web:

embodiment in a new form (especially the reappearance or a person in another form); "his reincarnation as a lion"

a second or new birth

the Hindu or Buddhist doctrine that a person may be reborn successively into one of five classes of living beings (god or human or animal or hungry ghost or denizen of Hell) depending on the person's own actions
wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn"

================

The reoccurring theme of the definitions above is: to be, to cease to be, and to be again. For the purposes of this article, this is the basic definition we will use.

While many religions around the world incorporate some design of reincarnation, the majority of mainstream Christian-based religions found in the U.S. do not. In mainstream Christian-based religions you are born, you live, you die, and you go to Heaven or Hell. In some religions, you might make a stop or two, like in Purgatory, but you are on a vertical journey either up or down.

Reincarnation implies a more horizontal journey across time in increments of to be, cease to be, and be again.

Technically, "alternative theories to reincarnation", would be organized-religion-based-on-Christianity's one-time, vertical journey, and, of course, the atheist's view of there only being flesh, so death is the ultimate end. What if there is something in between?

In order to explore this theory, we must have some foundational truths, which may only exist, in your opinion, in the body of this article. That is o.k.. That is the basis for exploration and discussion.

First, Christianity and organized religion are two different things. Christianity is a category for a specific belief system (accepting Christ as savior). Other categories include Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Confucianism, etc.

Organized religion, here limited to Christianity, is man's taking of

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>