The math doesn't support reincarnation, in 2011 more people will be alive than ever died in the history of humanity, unless there is a massive die off between now and then, sorry but the math doesn't support it
I pretty much believe one of two things. The first one, is that I believe that if anything happens when you die, its that you go to a place called 'Summerland'. I know it sounds corny, but I'm Wiccan and I believe its kind of like your own personal place where you basically live in your idea of 'heaven' forever. The other one, is that nothing happens. You die, you go back into the earth. Thats it. Death is inevitable but I'd prefer to hang around in this life till I'm older, see what happens. I don't want to be old and frail so I'll probably kill myself before I get to that point, but I think I could do with living these ok years of my life
There are several ways of making the math work. Most reincarnation belief systems presume that reincarnation eventually ends, with ascendance into some sort of higher state. That implies that some sort of beginning is possible, though depending on one's views of time, a beginning may not be absolutely necessary. At this time period, there may simply be an overwhelming number of people in their first incarnation as people. What they may have been before, remains a matter of speculation. However, considering the large die-offs of many animals, even entire species, I have to wonder. Also, remember that reincarnations may not necessarily progress in a linear fashion through space and time; some belief systems allow for simultaneous incarnations, incarnations going into the past, incarnations in alternate time tracks, incarnations on different planets or planes of existence, incarnation as a dream state vs. a higher waking reality, etc. There may even be a single Intelligence that experiences EVERY life, and thereby evolves into "God" -- not as far out as you might think, in light of some religious texts and certain metaphysical interpretations of Reality. Considering that even Scientific American, that bastion of skepticism, has carried articles that speculate on the ultimate nature of the universe, I think that the subject is far from closed. The subject of karma is rather more complicated than that. Actually, some belief systems believe in positive karma (or in "going to Heaven") if suicide is committed for a worthwhile cause, such as defending one's faith. Christianity has long had a martyrdom aspect (choosing death over renunciation of the faith), while some militant versions of Islam consider suicide for the faith, usually in an act of violence against infidels, to be an instant ticket to Heaven. Many mystical practices, some which advocate reincarnation, do not put a negative judgement on suicide; it is instead often regarded as an experiential matter with no negative karma associated with it. The biggest difficulty with putting too many value judgements into karma is that it can lead to an attitude that is excessively judgemental. Some ethics and morality is necessary in order to have a functioning society, but many mystical practices in general go out of their way to discourage all unnecessary judgements of any kind, on the grounds that judgemental attitudes impair compassion. The history of many religious and political systems seems to bear out that idea. As for "the gods", there are millions of opinions on the nature of God or The Gods, including atheism, and atheism co-exists alongside many different beliefs about the afterlife. Even someone who believes in a God may be pantheistic, regarding God as some sort of universal intelligence that is intrinsic to the universe. It is difficult to draw andy hard and fast conclusions, considering the huge number of different opinions out there, and the lack of conclusive evidence that supports any one belief over another. If someone chooses suicide because he is tired of life, possibly with a declining condition (including old age), he may simply pick up in the next life with the same karmic balance, or even be rewarded karmically for having the courage to get out of a bad situation. In that case, it's ethically little different than, say, quitting a bad job to start a better job. As for the grief of survivors, remember that all of us die sooner or later, and grief seems to accompany death regardless. But all of this, like all statements about the afterlife, remains pure speculation. NO ONE knows for sure what awaits us, even if some people believe they have "the answer" -- but the sheer number of different, contadicting "answers" makes such "answers" unreliable from an objective viewpoint. Perhaps whatever you believe, is what happens to you, whether it be nonexistence, Heaven (but I find some visions of Heaven to be little better han Hell), reincarnation, whatever. And this isn't a new belief either! In the end, the only answer may be that there are no answers.
Have you ever thought that the mind, body and soul are seperate from each other. What is if the soul and mind live on and when you die you just lost the ability to voice your opinion all together. Physically they have not been able to connect the mind to the body so if they are the same or not is yet debatable.
look, if you want to know what to do before you die, listen to this song. its not a big file. http://www12.brinkster.com/fathergonad/before%20i%20die.wma (right click and save as)
I was wondering the SAME thing over the past few weeks...Eventually I just came to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter. I study all of the religions and stuff because I always felt that there was something underneath it. Lately I've been thinking that maybe I should just go ahead and move onto the next life..if there is one. I don't think I'll be going to hell that's for sure because even though I was raised in a Baptist Christian church I don't really believe that there is some almight God that is actually going to condemn me to hell for the rest of my life just because I was sad. Ya know what I mean?
My belief is that life is a test to determine whether or not you deserve to be happy in the afterlife. This seems to be the only thing that is constant in all religions.
why go into the next life earlier? its not like youll get this life back, and its not like it will detriment your next life by staying in this one longer. so WHY end this one earlier? i really dont understand why people woudl rather kill themselves then just start their life again with no money some place out int eh coutnry or something
Me being the horribly depressed 14-year-old, apathetic teenager of today, I've thought about it. But killing myself wouldn't just be to rid myself of the everyday bullshit..(though it would definitely play a factor) every time I think about it.. I get so curious.. where do we go? What IS the purpose of life? I believe in science before faith, I don't know how life spawned, but I think all major religions are bullshit. How can it all be true? I wonder so often.. should I take my life? I mean yes, it will "harm" others around me. That's another thing. If all these fucking evangelists believe in "heaven", why are they so sad when they see them go? It puzzles me. I think I'll just live the rest of my life toking it up, and screwing anything with an STD-less vagina until I find out.
for the original comment: I'm certainly no one to tell someone whether or not to kill themselves, it's a personal decision, so who are we to say. If someone feels like they've had enough then I guess so. However if something's stopping them they'd probably want to look into what it was and why. Either way they shouldn't threaten and not do anything... that's obviously just for show. <-------Then i'd agree that they should get on with it but only as an act of support.
i didn't read it all but i read a few pages i used to feel and think like this alot, i was talking to an old freind she was telling me how she was depressed during freshman year at high school and dropped out of all her upper classes. At the time it meant nothing, when i came back to school my life began to fly- i can't describe it but as school came back and when you go to school and everyone knows your name and you're the big dog on campus -so to say- i can't feel sad being the typical jock on top. Every year just getting nearer to perfection with women all around and super fun younger girls i just can't be sad. I'm going be published and even when i'm down now i don't feel bad i been to the bottom of my life in ways i'm still their but as you keep living it is either going to get better or you'll die but eventully you'll make it feels great maybe in a few years as things slow down i might change but just chill and live and if you feel like dieing do everthing ever killed someone broke into a house got caught live untill your minds wake up it as simple as that Kill you self trying to live and always know you have a new place to go I'm not religous i find that i can't live my life following some other people guidelines that only things i know from me is it will get better as long as you make and create don't sit around consuming- every week try to make some thing and who cares if nothing is unique any spin you can add makes it perfect it's an old thread but i had to leave my note their is always something we haven't done a girl we never knew a place we've never been
