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"
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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 the basic premise, incorporating the book deemed the Holy Bible, and interpreting what it means, how it should be practiced, what is right and wrong, etc. This accounts for there being dozens and dozens of different organized religions (such as the Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Church of Christ, etc) using the same holy book, but teaching many different things.
Second, you do not have to be a member of organized religion to have access to God.
Third, Spirituality is communing with God.
With that said, consider that an alternate theory to reincarnation is continuous life. There is no "to be, cease to be, and be again". There is only "to be".
How can such a theory even get beyond those two sentences? Every day we see, with our own two eyes, the cycle of birth, growth, and death.
Consider this: Every day, with our own two eyes, we see the sun rise in the east, move across the sky, and set in the west. Everybody knows it. Parents teach it to their children who teach it to their children. Weather reporters say it out loud on local and national TV numerous times a day. No one anywhere jumps up to vehemently protest. If you were under oath in a court of law, you would confirm it. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Period!
...... go directly to jail, do not pass go, and do not collect $200. Because, it just is not true!
The sun never moves. It neither rises nor sets, nor does it move across the sky. It is an optical illusion. We are the ones moving. We turn into the sun and it seems to be rising. We turn more and the suns seems to be moving across the sky. We turn more and the sun appears to be setting. Soon, we turn to the point that the sun seems to be gone.
So in lies the basis of the theory of continuous life. We are continuously moving through time without ceasing.
Now, there is another 'truth' we must embrace in this theory. Each of us must learn who we (each of us) really are (is). We have, for the most part, decided that we come in two parts, if we believe in God. There is "me", the human, and there is the God part. We call this God part our soul or our spirit or our essence, which resides within us. But many of us still struggle with exactly how the God part works. "I" live and grow and die, the God part leaves "me", and "I" rot in a hole in the ground. If "I" have been 'good', my God part goes to Heaven. But, what about "me"? "I" am dead and gone.
Again, we must consider the rising and the setting of the sun and the optical illusion that it is. Consider that "I" and "me" are not the human at all, but instead are the God part. Consider that the human is the vessel that allows "me" to have a recognizable form and is only human when "I" am inside.
The evidence points to the fact that the human being is just so much water, clay, and a few minerals. It is so fallible. It gets banged up, breaks down, gets sick, and finally ceases. And, when it has ceased, it is cold and lifeless. However, the God part is immortal. It cannot be broken down or eradicated. The God part makes a much better "me" than the human part.
Consider if you will putting a glove on your hand. The glove moves. It waves. It touches your face. The fingers wriggle. Is that glove really moving itself? Is it "you"? No, of course not. It is only a vessel that covers "you". It only moves because "you" command it to move. Now remove the glove and look at the hand of skin and bone. Is that "you"? No. It is only the vessel that covers "you". When that skin and bone die, "you" will discard it and "you" will live on in a new vessel.
What is the point of all this? God promised eternal life. He gave his only begotten son. Consider what Jesus endured. Consider what God endured. Could you or I have stood back and watched our only begotten son endure what Jesus endured when all along we had the power to merely bat an eyelash and have it all go away? The answer is no. Everlasting life is a grand offer, but it does not come for free. We must earn it. We must be worthy of such reward. We are like children. We must learn to crawl, then walk, then run, then climb. Sixty, seventy, or ninety years on this earth is time enough to learn only a lesson or two. We are rather silly to think that one human lifetime is enough to repay the debt and to learn enough to be worthy. It is time enough, however, to change our earthly clothes before continuing on. We are, in spiritual form, perfect, but we are young and unknowing. Being trapped in human form to endure human existence allows us to learn and prepare for the gift.
God walks with us always. He comforts us and helps us with this struggle. Our loved ones are never lost to us. They are near in a new vessel of their own. Perhaps the new baby that you cradle in your arms is the new vessel for a departed grandfather, or mother lost too soon. Perhaps that new friend with whom you bonded instantly is the new vessel for an favorite aunt whose laughter fills your memory. And what of you? What is your passion. Perhaps it is Mozart because you heard him play. Perhaps it is Henri Matisse because you visited with him in his studio. Have you been a rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief; doctor, lawyer, Indian chief? If not, you probably will.
So like a new pair of blue jeans that we inhabit for a season before discarding them and stepping into a new pair, we will continue to walk the path of enlightenment in human form until God deems us fit.