Where did the idea of Reincarnation come from?

Question

I know the Egyptians weren't the first, some books say it originated in India...can anyone confirm this?

Answer 1

Hinduism

Answer 2

One of the sources is the misunderstood Bible text of Mathew 17:11-13...which reads -"Elijah, indeed, is coming and will restore all things. However, I say to you that Elijah has already come . . .’ Then the disciples perceived that he spoke to them about John the Baptist.”

In saying this, did Jesus mean that John the Baptizer was a reincarnation of the prophet Elijah? John himself knew that he was not. On one occasion when he was asked, “Are you Elijah?” John clearly answered: “I am not.” (John 1:21) It had, however, been foretold that John would precede the Messiah “with Elijah’s spirit and power.” (Luke 1:17; Malachi 4:5, 6) In other words, John the Baptizer was “Elijah” in the sense that he carried out a work comparable to that of Elijah.

Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.---James 4:8

Answer 3

This doctrine has its roots far back in primitive culture. According to some scholars, this idea developed out of three common beliefs:

(1) that man has a soul, connected in some vague way with the breath, which can be separated from his material body, temporarily in sleep, permanently at death;
(2) that animals and even plants have souls, and are possessed to a large extent of human powers and passions;
(3) that souls can be transferred from one organism to another.

(This idea still has adherents in many religions today, Hinduism, being the oldest of *extant modern* religions.)

Answer 4

Originially it came from hinduism - it was due to hinduism's
cyclical nature as opposed to the western religions (like
christianity) linear tradition.

So from the cycle we get the notion of re-birth - reincarnation.
The goal being to escape from this cycle - to liberate your
personal soul (atman) to join the universal soul (brahman) and
thereby achieve nirvana. (In a nutshell!!)

Answer 5

It came from the same place as all the other silly ideas, live evolution and such. It came from sinful man.

Answer 6

Reincarnation, Heaven and Hell, came out of vivid imaginations.

Answer 7

Google :BIBLE AND REINCARNATION , you will see wikipidia and many more sites give you plenty of info about reincarnation.
Those that are close minded I challenge them to google it for themselves and get more information on the subject.

Answer 8

Some masochist who didn't get beat up enough in just one life?
I don't want to come back.

Answer 9

hinduism and buduism mainly

Answer 10

Satan