Reincarnation - What's the point?

**Lupu** · January 30, 2010, 10:32 AM

It is an old belief that you are "reborn" to another form, some religions have it based on how good you were in the previous life, and others say that's how it works.
But there's a big problem with it, in religion class we discussed it, and came to a difference, in religions like hinduism and buddhism the goal is to escape the cycle of reincarnation, in newer religions based on it, being "reborn" is a good thing. And then it lighted up; why on earth is being reborn a good thing? You won't remember anything anyway. And then there's the other ones, where escaping from it is the point, why believe it, it's weird. "If you act badly, you are going to be reborn as a grasshopper!" And how exactly is that grasshopper me? Except from some stupid metaphysical truth?

**MaximiIian** · January 30, 2010, 11:05 AM

It depends on the model. Some hold that you do so to learn cosmic lessons and are judged by some kind of force or perhaps deities (Hinduism and Buddhism fall into this train of thought). This is not mutually exclusive with the idea of past-life regression- where you can remember things from past lives, it just requires concentration and meditation.

My view of reincarnation is one of efficiency. Why get rid of old souls when they can be recycled? And if it yields some good results for those who possess them, then all the better.

**Helm** · January 30, 2010, 11:22 AM

I doubt we have such a thing as an individual soul but it would make sense if whatever kind of energy it is that forms our mind is recycled back into the system somehow along with our physical remains.

**Amorphos** · January 30, 2010, 11:27 AM

The point is continuance. If we continue after death then we have to go somewhere, then apply the law of ‘like attracts like’ and the chances are we would be reborn on earth as we are most like other human beings here. It is not a case of why but of necessity, although in Buddhism and Hinduism the philosophy of un-attachment is there that you may not be drawn into the cycle by the above law.

**Monarchist** · January 30, 2010, 12:24 PM

I think reincarnation is nonsense. There is no point but more self-satisfaction that we do not disappear into the aether.

**Helm** · January 30, 2010, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Monarchist

I think reincarnation is nonsense. There is no point but more self-satisfaction that we do not disappear into the aether.

You could equally well claim that something such as an eternal paradise just for believing in the correct God is wishful thinking.

**Lupu** · January 30, 2010, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Helm

You could equally well claim that something such as an eternal paradise just for believing in the correct God is wishful thinking.

At least it can be experienced.

**Helm** · January 30, 2010, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Lupu

At least it can be experienced.

You would still experience reincarnation as well you would just happen experience it as someone or something else.

**Lupu** · January 30, 2010, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Helm

You would still experience reincarnation as well you would just happen experience it as someone or something else.

How is that someone else me?

**bushbush** · January 30, 2010, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Monarchist

I think reincarnation is nonsense. There is no point but more self-satisfaction that we do not disappear into the aether.

as much nonsense as some god got nailed to a cross by humans and somehow that dude is gonna save us all. LOL...

**Fiyenyaa** · January 30, 2010, 03:28 PM

You know the whole goal of Buddhism is to escape the cycle of rebirth (because Buddhism holds that life is inherently full of suffering: Nirvana is essentially annihilation as far as I understand it) so in a way, your complaint against reincarnation kind of agrees with Buddhism.

As for me: if you didn't remember past lives, then reincarnation would be great. Everything would be new every time, you could experience all sorts of cool stuff. Shame there's no evidence whatsoever.

**boofhead** · January 30, 2010, 03:36 PM

I guess reincarnation is just a feel-good for people who want a third, fourth chance at human mortality. And yet the ultimate aim is to ''die'' forever anyway.

**Helm** · January 30, 2010, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by boofhead

I guess reincarnation is just a feel-good for people who want a third, fourth chance at human mortality.

An infinite number of chances of mortality would amount to immortality, if such a thing did happen there's no way to know.

**boofhead** · January 30, 2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Helm

An infinite number of chances of mortality would amount to immortality, if such a thing did happen there's no way to know.

That's what I'm saying. In the end such beliefs have the same result as the Abrahamic religions. I just don't get why people want to put it off for so long via multiple lives. Just face it now. Be strong and go for it, now or never

**Helm** · January 30, 2010, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by boofhead

That's what I'm saying. In the end such beliefs have the same result as the Abrahamic religions. I just don't get why people want to put it off for so long via multiple lives. Just face it now. Be strong and go for it, now or never

I guess being entirely annihilated on death does imbue the universe with a kind ultimate pointlessness though it's probably not the ideal way to see it even if there's a real chance it may in fact be true. But there's probably is something slightly more going on with it given the unlikely way in which the universe has been formed in such a way that allows us to be here in the first place.

**boofhead** · January 30, 2010, 04:55 PM

But there's probably is something slightly more going on with it given the unlikely way in which the universe has been formed in such a way that allows us to be here in the first place.

You think?

There's an equal chance it is way more than ''slightly'', as nobody has ever determined mathematically the exact values of subjective ideas.

**Simon Cashmere** · January 30, 2010, 07:00 PM

If you put aside the whole mystical element of it, it is probably at least theoretically possible for you after you die, to re-enter the food chain and become sentient again. However, that's not really reincarnation, no more than melting down a Ferrari and building a Mercedes with the recycled metal would be. The odds if you think about it though, are astronomical against. Still, people do win lotto - despite the odds.

But your lottery tickets. One never knows.

**MaximiIian** · January 30, 2010, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Lupu

You have a point, but it could just as well not be me, and I have no reason to believe in that, it's not reassuring.

No one's saying you have to.

Originally Posted by boofhead

And yet the ultimate aim is to ''die'' forever anyway.

Yes, because everyone who believes in the notion of reincarnation believes in the exact same mechanics and framework.

**Aetius** · January 31, 2010, 01:50 AM

An interesting thought.

Scientifically speaking, reincarnation exists in that energy is never created or destroyed.

To me it is a somewhat comforting thought...for EVERYTHING is connected, energy is something everything shares in common.