How does reincarnation work, and should I be afraid of it?

Question

I am but a simple troll.

Answer 1

think of things at the atomic level and you will not be afraid anymore

Answer 2

There are many problems with the salvation-by works doctrine of reincarnation. First, there are many practical problems. For example:
1. We must ask, why does one get punished for something he or she cannot remember having done in a previous life?
2. If the purpose of karma is to rid humanity of its selfish desires, then why hasn't there been a noticeable improvement in human nature after all the millennia of reincarnations?
3. If reincarnation and the law of karma are so beneficial on a practical level, then how do advocates of this doctrine explain the immense and ever-worsening social and economic problems - including widespread poverty, starvation, disease, and horrible suffering - in India, where reincarnation has been systematically taught through out its history?
There are also many biblical problems with believing in reincarnation. For example, in 2 Corinthians 5:8 the apostle Paul states, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." At death, the, the Christian immediately goes into the presence of the Lord, not into another body. In keeping with this. Luke 16:19-31 tells us that unbelievers at death go to a place of suffering, not into another body.
Further, Hebrews 9:27 assures us that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." Each human being LIVES ONCE as a mortal on earth, DIES ONCE, and then FACES JUDGMENT. He does not have a second chance by reincarnating into another body.

Answer 3

This is how reincarnation works, according to Buddhism and Hinduism.

When a flame from an old and almost spent candle is passed to another unlighted new candle, a new flame emerges, while the old flame from the older candle is extinguished due to being spent all it's wick. Similar to that concept, souls are reincarnated. But reincarnation happens every second in your body because old cells are dying in your body, replaced by new cells. The only difference is that when your body dies, the soul finds a new one.

There is not much you need to be afraid of, unless you believe in karma.

Karma is basically the idea of having a soul 'bank' where good deeds 'deposit credit' while bad deeds 'whithdraw credit'. Depending on how much 'karmic credit' you have, you can 'purchase' a new body that has a 'karmic cost' for your soul to 'acquire'.

So, basically, if you have done many good deeds, and only a few bad deeds, you will have a good amount of 'karmic credit', which allows your soul to 'acquire' a better body than you have in this life. But if you have done many bad deeds, and only a few good deeds, you will have a low or negative 'karmic credit'. In this case, your soul can only 'aquire' very low or diseased bodies that nobody wants.

But that's just a concept.. you'll only find out the truth if you experience it.

Answer 4

You'll likely come back living under a bridge with really annoying upstairs neighbours.

Karma is the view that actions, words and thoughts have consequences, even if they're not readily apparent. Beliefs in reincarnation that incorporate karma say that these consequences will be manifest in subsequent lifetimes. Exact mechanisms vary with schools and religions, but that's the heart of it.

Reincarnation could happen separate from anything like karma. But it loses some punch as a religious tool.

Answer 5

What I learned about re-incarnation from studying Eastern religions is that many people teach and believe that your next form is decided by how you live this life now. For example you are a glutton you might become pig in your next life or if you are a treacherous person you might be re-incarnated as a snake or worm. If on the other hand you chose to live a virtuous life you would reach a higher form, the highest being unity with God or living in Heaven, something like that. Really the teachings about re-incarnation in Eastern religions actually seem very similar to teachings about Heaven and Hell in Middle-Eastern religions.

Answer 6

No you should not be afraid of reincarnation because your view does not change ultimate reality anyways. But to think of reincarnation and its consequences might give you insight, no matter how reincarnation works or if it exists at all.

Answer 7

After you die, you are reborn in order to redeem yourself for things you did this lifetime around. The more you evolve, the fewer times you have to come back, and the higher life form you evolve to. It's a Buddhist belief. Along with it goes the concept of Karma -- you'll pay in the next life for whatever you do in this life. Just think of the movie Groundhog Day.

Answer 8

Why be afraid when you are already destined to be reincarnated as a gelded water buffalo in the next life, and there is nothing you can do to stop it?

Answer 9

reincarnation does not work. Our hope after this life is for resurrection to life, which we can receive through the Messiah Yahoshua. He will give you the peace and the love which casts out fear. There was no "J" until 1400 A.D. so the Saviors name cannot have a J in it. In Ex 23:13 We are told not to use the names of foreign mighty ones, and many times in Scripture the Almighty tells us to call on His name! (It is YHVH)

Answer 10

I do not know "how" it works precisely, but we are made of matter AND energy, and our energy does not simply "die" the way our matter does. It continues, obviously in a different form. As for fear, why that is useless now..... The Buddhists believe that eventually one "awakens" and realizes that everything is illusory, then this constitutive energy part of you will no longer mess around with matter, but will be a sort of energy "extract" so to speak....awakened, enlightened.....

Answer 11

You should only be aware that if you live life for selfish ends and walk all over people, you may be the doormat next time around to show you what it is lie.