The concept of reincarnation implies a successive lifecycle of the soul from one generation to the next.  This process of a soul being reborn and transmigrated over generations has been perceived differently by religions.  The philosophy behind reincarnation is deeply rooted in the Hindu-Buddhism, in which individuals were re-born in their future generations.  Being taught in conjunction with pantheism together explains the omnipresent nature of God.  Generally, reincarnation has been quite significant in modifying the followers of various religions in terms of their lifestyles and cultural practices (Gavin, 2001, p 69).

In Christianity, reincarnation is not commonly believed but a certain percentage of its followers do believe in it.  Various small groups and sects within the Christian religion have professed belief in reincarnation; revealed by their apparent teachings and practices.  Such groups can be linked to the historical development of the sects or the sub-groups in Christianity, necessitating their belief and trust in reincarnation.  Such groups in the Christian religion, specifically the followers of Cathars and Rosicrucians sects, have been found to involve in practices which enhance their belief in reincarnation (Molloy, 2010, p 21).

For instance, Cathars do not indulge in the consumption of pork because they believe the pig is a very dirty animal which can make them unrighteous.  As the Cathars believe, eating of pig would result into their subsequent generation being unclean like the pig.  In addition, Freemasonry and Catholicism believe that, good deeds among the people follow them, through having their future children having spiritual protection against any harm. This belief of having the followers of this faith trust on the existence of the dead places them on the category of reincarnation believers. Generally, reincarnation in these Christian Religious groups have enhanced the modification of their lives and live a righteous life, in fear of having their future generations adopt their current evil life (Brodd, 2003, p 101).

More so, some Christian groups in Australia, especially Aborigines, believe that human souls have a common origin where when a person dies, all the spirits gather at a central place.  It is at this central place that both the unborn and dead souls are gathered, resulting in their constant interaction.  It is believed that when a woman conceives, the birth of a child is caused by an ancestral spirit who enters into the woman; contributing to the birth of a child with similar characteristics to those of the spirit.  In addition, such groups in Australia believe that once the woman gives birth, the soul of the dead person remains in the child until the child dies.  In fact, the ancestral spirit in the child contributes much to the child’s ultimate behaviors and characteristics.  As a result, the Aborigines have always been advised to lead a sinless and righteous life, so the souls of bad ancestors cannot enter their children.  If this were to happen their children would be subject to the bad traits of that ancestor.

This particular belief among the Aborigines impacts their day to day functions and behaviors.  In fear of having a future generation of bad people, the Aborigines have always been involved in preserving good morals and ethical considerations in their dealings in order to enhance the giving birth to upright future generation in terms of moral standards.  Particularly, the Aborigine women are always advised to practice good morals and live a life of practicing good toward the people; so that the spirits of those ideal ancestors can enter them while conceiving.  This is believed to facilitate the enhancement of perfect future generation, capable of upholding moral values within the society. (Newton, 1994, p 97)

However, with development of inquisition in Latin west, reincarnation has become a rare phenomena among various Christian groups because the teachings of the Bible are perceived to be against many Hindu-Buddhist beliefs like reincarnation.  Various philosophers have greatly debated about empiricism of religious beliefs; rendering the notion of reincarnation as being unpractical.  This has resulted in the diminishing belief in reincarnation among Christian groups but it is still widely accepted by many.  This is a result of encompassing the modernization and globalization which has been geared towards harmonizing humanity and cultural beliefs (Molloy, 2010: 47-51).

Though reincarnation springs from Hindu-Buddhism philosophy, the belief in regards to Buddhism has not been strongly reinforced, as Buddha himself did not believe in the existence of the spirit.  The main belief in Buddhism is the existence of personality in the state of Nirvana.  In this, Buddhists believe that one’s existence is in the form of something which is not bounded, and can thrive in a variety of environments and situations.  Buddhists believe in selflessness through the Eightfold Path, which does not lead to reincarnation, but into state of Nirvana.  In this case, the Buddhists are expected to uphold high values of ‘Right Intent’, Right Conduct’ and ‘Right Views’ among others. (Brodd, 2003, p 43)

Part 8 – Sam Harris debated William Lane Craig at Notre Dame University on 7 April 2011 on the topic Does Good come from God? Are the foundations for moral values natural or supernatural? – This was the way the debate was introduced by the moderator. Introduction overview of the speakers (taken from the website): Sam Harris, one of the “Four Horsemen of Atheism,” a neuroscientist, philosopher, and bestselling author, will seek to show that the separation between scientific facts and human values is an illusion. Harris will prove that science, not religion, should provide the basis for morality. William Lane Craig is an American Evangelical Christian apologist, theologian, and analytic philosopher known for his work in the philosophy of religion, historical Jesus studies, and the philosophy of time. One of the foremost apologists in the field, Craig has faced some of the best and has been known to hold nothing back in his sharpshooting style of debate.

Many philosophies hold that the world is an illusion. Yet you experience it as real. Which is correct, the idea or the experience?

The world is an illusion. This is a view held by Vedanta, Sikhism, Buddhism, Plato, Arthur Schopenhauer, Christian Science, and A Course In Miracles.

Contradicting this view is your own sense experience of realness, the constancy of stimulus, the enduring nature of time and events.

Which view is correct? The idea of the illusion or your experience of the realness?

This answer proposes an objective observer, one who is not part of the system that is being observed. Newton held that time is absolute. Einstein held that it is relative to the observer. Perhaps that same paradigm shift can be applied to answering the question of what is real and what is not.

Those who propose that the world is an illusion are correct.

Those who propose that the world is real are also correct.

The idea that the world is an illusion can be argued in the following way.

1. You do not see the world as it is.

You see the world as you are.

This happens in two ways:

One, you can never escape your subjectivity. You may claim that the world is objective, but this is a claim made from the subjective state. Hence, if you were to lose your mind, you would also lose the world. Without an observer, there is no world. With your disappearance, the universe disappears. Does it exist despite you? If you are not there to ask or hear the answer to the question, it has no meaning.

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Two, the world that you see is a direct result of your experiences in it. A rock is not just a rock; it is also your memory of all rocks seen by you. When what you see is more complex and engaging, you experience more emotions, sensations, and ideas about it. Thus, you never really see anything as it is. You only see it through the lens of your own thoughts about it.

2. All forms will pass away.

Entropy is built into the system. Nothing can escape this iron law of nature. Neither beauty nor truth, wealth nor power, genius nor intent ever last. Death and decay is the lot of everything, from atoms to stars, from our own sun to the universe itself. However, this collapse is a dissipation of energy, not an absence of it. According to the law of conservation of energy, which has never been refuted, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. What dies, then, is the form of things, the structure the energy was supporting.

3. The microscopic.

On the level of atoms, a vast space exists between the electrons and the nucleus, and even the subatomic particles are not solid bits of matter but transient energy forms that appear and disappear and reappear again. It is mainly empty space.

4. The macroscopic.

On the level of the cosmos, a vast space exists between stars and moons and planets, gas clouds and nebulas and galaxies. The universe, too, is mainly empty space.

5. The field of all possibilities.

On the level of the consciousness that organizes all things, this world is only another possibility out of an infinite choice. How many worlds with sentient beings exist? Is our universe only an electron in a cosmic atom? Given a field of infinite choices, how much weight does one choice hold?

The idea that the world is real can be argued in the following way.

1. What you are experiencing is real to you.

When you think of the world as an illusion, a sense of despair arises because it slights the beauty of your realness. It is pleasurable to touch and hold, to see and hear, to act and change things. It is ennobling to see the vast sky above your head and feel the wind in your hair and hear the squawk of a passing bird. It means much for us to be here and to be alive in this moment.

Neither science nor philosophy can deny the realness of your experience.

And in this context, even your dreams are real enough, because while you are in them, your entire experience is authentic enough for you. If you are being chased by a lion in your dream, it will feel as real to you as if you were being chased by one in the waking state.

2. Who you are is important to you.

Your life is important. You desire to be more than you currently are because you can feel the vast throb of life within you expanding ever forward to know more, experience more, and touch a fullness not yet known.

Your past is not just useless memory but a scrapbook of struggle and change, triumph and adversity, risk and new learning. Your present is the vividness of your current experience. Your future is your promise, to yourself and to the world.

Reality, then, is not fixed. It is an interpretation of consciousness and how it is interpreted depends on the inner and outer experiences of the observer. The world you live in is real enough to you as you live it. If this world is an illusion, does it mean that there is a really real world, as Plato conjectured. Probably not. If this world is an illusion, then so, too, are all worlds. And if this world is real, so, too, are all worlds.

Appreciating the miracle of having a consciousness to live in a world may be all we need to know to live happy, fulfilling lives, whether in this world or in other worlds which we will transition into after this one.

Consciousness, like the law of conservation of energy, can neither be created nor destroyed. Where you find consciousness, you will also find energy structured into the form of a world. And since consciousness never dies but appears to only grow increasingly more refined and sophisticated, worlds, too, probably evolve along similar lines. Are these worlds illusory or real? They are real enough to those who live in them.

Playlist: www.youtube.com Sophia (Σοφíα, Greek for “wisdom”) is a central idea in Hellenistic philosophy and religion, Platonism, Gnosticism, Esoteric Christianity, as well as Christian mysticism. Sophiology is a philosophical concept regarding wisdom, as well as a theological concept regarding the wisdom of God. Be it understood that a myth need not be fantasy or falsity, but a veracious way of describing events of cosmic scope in poetic language. This sacred narrative is the sole planetary myth in the world that describes the origin of the solar system, the earth, and the human species, and situates all this in a galactic perspective. This is a narration of the Sophia mythos of the Telestai (Gnostics) of the ancient world. John Lash has reconstructed the Sophia myth or the Fallen Goddess Scenario, managing to bring forth the true teachings of the Gnostics amidst many distortions due to very limited genuine Gnostic material surviving today and what does survive being tainted by early Christianity. No other myth or narrative of our species so beautifully and completely explains the origin of the Earth, the origin and purpose of humanity and the spiritual reality of existence as the myth of Gaia/Sophia of the Telestai.

These doubts are created by ignorance, the very force of ego, and can be cleared by those, who are the selfless ones, the saints and the holy ones obeying Gurbani by remembering Him while serving the Creation. Here the holy one means all those, who have learnt the art of transcendentalism and have thus ascended to the level of higher level of living.

The survival is normal cause, but higher is living and the true living is still higher. The true living is one in which one does what one says and says what does. In other words, it is giving the metaphorical and mystical direction to our fantasies making these the imaginations and finally the creativity. This creativity is not manipulation of knowledge, rather; it is self-felt feelings giving the mystic experiences for which knowledge is just a boat.  We have to express few words about the Gurbani:

Firstly, let us consider the Concept of Gurbani-The Gurbani is the collection of the teachings of the metaphysically transcendental souls, the enlightened ones. It does not matter to which religion, cult, sect or ism they belong. The belief in it is that the whole of the Creation is having the governance from One God, called and known by many different names. The word ‘Omni’ as a prefix has ‘Om’ which if we combine with ‘Kar’-the Universal activities and actions, it bears the name ‘Onkar’. For example, He is Omni-present, the name in different languages may differ, however, in India and Indian languages the word Ram or Rama is having the same meaning for it, the Omnipresent.

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In the Gurbani, there are many transcendentally universal (or natural) laws and the principles; however, we may take the main of fifty-two in the series. These are to support us metaphysically, not just going as if the bookish knowledge or the profound words in preaching about what the religions say. In other words, it is the essence of the religions; the religions are having a common thread metaphysically as that present in the rosary and in this book, we will discuss it one at a time, and have our mystic reflection metaphysically as if receiving the fruits, the spiritual gifts-the awakening, transcendental meditation, enlightenment or self-realization from the wisdom tree.

Similarly, He is Merciful and dispeller of all sorrows; the name for it is Hari. He is the owner of the Creation; name for it is Jagdish. There are so many names, but all are to praise Him. The commonly used word is praise the Lord, Thy God. This word is Waheguru. The meaning of Waheguru is to praise God by all possible means, through chanting, singing, reading, praying and other ways that one believes or follows according to one’s religion or faith. Now, there is one factor that God governs the Creation with certain natural laws and the principles. He deals with us according to these laws and principles.

He is not beyond these, simply governs, but does not violate any of these. He is Merciful, Forgiver and bestows His Grace to all. He does not violate it. In the Gurbani, there are many laws and the principles, which are transcendental, mystic and thus metaphysical. These are to support us metaphysically, not just preaching what the religions say. In other words, it is the essence of the religions; the religions are having a common thread metaphysically as that present in the rosary. We will discuss it with mystic reflection metaphysically. We may take it as the fruits from the wisdom tree.

Please note that it is the voice of the conscience, the opening door to the universal mystic conscience, the universal conscience at the pineal gland-the gateway to the universe and thus the cosmos and the cosmic play of life in it.

Giving direction to one’s knowledge in the light of Wisdom of Gurbani brings the clarity of the thought, the mystic touch. Knowledge without direction is mere information, having no metaphorical joy but with direction; it is wisdom. This direction is the ascending one; not the descending. Thus, the series about these topics entitled as: 1. Secret of Natural Laws and Principles-God, Nature and We: Metaphysics of Moolmantra of Sikhism and Other Religions Revealing Art of Ascendancy 2. Secret of Natural Laws and Principles-God, Nature and We: Metaphysics of Moolmantra of Sikhism and Religions Revealing Concept of One God

There are so many points to correalte that it needed a series.

Thus, the series reflects on it for the clarity of it, the Art of Ascendancy-the Chardi Kala at this BLOG. Thanks!

It never came to my mind to stand against the basic beliefs of the religions of God.  The different and changing testimonies of the followers of these religions make me defend philosophy in the face of  practiced religions of the world. It is my position, that if a certain religion promotes hatred of other religions or beliefs,  is not a religion. And therefore, it should be attacked on the basis of justice. If  the laws of each religion justify hatred of other religions, then it should be understood, that my actions are also, justified.

Philosophically speaking,  mind is the basic ingredient of human differentiate him from animal, and therefore, human should use their minds to promote happiness in life Not in the unseen life. Reality described by philosophers through the separation of Spirit and Body. While spirit cannot be defeated or demolished completely, as we know,  the body is limited by age. Age is limited by years, but soul is not limited by years.

Mind should be the strong castle of human to defend superstitious ideas and metaphysical phenomena. Limitation of human mind is combined with limitation of humans’ age on earth. Other humans may continue using the mind to continue the march toward unfolding knowledge about the Universe. But one human cannot do so. The works of old philosopher are leading but not completing the modern human mind. Socrat,  Galileo, Christ, and Pain and many others were excluded  from their communities and paid their lives for what they believe in. Their intuition was leading humans to use their minds for the purpose of having happy life, by applying the logic of this life at its best.

Religion and Time: The majority of the ignorant theology, and the powerful authority in the absence of logic have lost in historical events, the essence of human existence on Earth. Even in these days of 2008, the world still governed by the majority ignorant or the powerful authority who believe that war for example, is the only way to protect the self or the  nation’s interest. Unfortunately, the knowledge obtained so far, about the world was used to destroy it. Or to destroy human happiness. We know that values are changing, the good of the past is no more good in present .  Values of the rich is very much different from the poor values.  And values of ignorant people are different from those of well advanced in knowledge.

Human Being is no more living for their family, wife, and kids, They are working for their own pleasures. Money is no more serving the purpose of basic needs, it becomes numbers like human beings. Numbers without feelings, without minds, without souls. Money should not be an end by itself, but a means to survive and serve those who need it. Look for the Oil producing countries, how they are fooled by oil companies. Oil is contributing in the world misery of millions of people in poor countries around the world including the countries producing or consuming oil.  In the poor countries, war between religious sects is inevitable, and in the rich countries, the distance between poor and rich is sky rocketing.  So you might ask, what is the solution for the world to come to mind?

This is a good question, and it makes anyone-including myself-nervous. But to be nervous, is not the right way to answer the question. The question, anyhow, is part of the answer. The terms used in the question, how? Read it again, we may replace the first term (what?) in the question by the last term (mind) to become, “mind is the solution for the world to come to.” As you see, the solution  is using the mind. Not emotions or feelings or faiths. It is simply the mind which lead us to understand ourselves, to understand  our environmental surroundings, the nature, and the creatures in it. Is this hard to grasp or comprehend ? I did not think so.  In the case of religions, if Jews, Christians, Muslims or any other faith followers use their minds to solve their problems, especially in Palestine, sure they will be able to reach a conflict-free world all over. (709 words)

June 22nd, 2011 – The 3rd Annual Speaking Truth in Love Conference at Grace Community Church in Auburn WA – www.graceinauburn.com Matt Coombe – www.instituteofbiblicaldefense.com Matthew J Coombe received his bachelors in Biblical studies from Liberty University in Virginia. Once completed he acquired his Master’s degree in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot School of Theology (Biola University). Matt is currently working on a PhD in Theology and Apologetics from Liberty University. Matt is the vice president of the Institute of Biblical Defense and the professor of Philosophy of Religion and Theology. He is also on the pastoral staff at Trinity Bible Fellowship
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Religion is a personal choice which is supposed to bring peace of mind and guide you to your life’s purpose. Loving god should encourage you to love everything he/she has created…yet why is there so much destruction and violence in the name of religion? Perhaps it’s because we focus on our differences more than our similarities. We look for ways to hate others because they are different from us. We use religion to create “Us” and “Them”.  Religion is something that can actually unite all humanity; it’s only a matter of how we choose to view it.

Religions are like books with different covers, names and supposedly different philosophies, but if you read between the lines, you’ll observe that every religion promotes and encourages the same basic virtues. Let’s examine the similarities one by one:

*Reap as you sow- Every religion believes in this concept, though the names given to it may differ. While some call it sin, it’s known as Karma or the threefold principle in others. Whatever you call it, the basic principle remains the same; if you do or think of something that harms or hurts others, you will pay a price! Every religion in its own way encourages goodness. What constitutes goodness may be different, but again if you read between the lines and remove the layers of corrupt human interpretation you will realize that peace, kindness and love define goodness in its purest form.

* The Concept of soul- All religions believe that the soul is indestructible, though there may be different beliefs about what happens to the soul after death. Yet to all, the soul exists as a fundamental universal religious concept. If you believe in the soul you know it can’t be destroyed, then why attempt to destroy human lives, when you know you have no power over the soul? Why even try to destroy something that’s indestructible! Isn’t that acting against the will of any religion’s god?

* The purpose of life- Reaching god or becoming one with him is considered the purpose of life. Every religion may prescribe a different path to attain that goal, but the goal is essentially the same; reaching your creator, whether in heaven or by attaining salvation by becoming like him, free of the cycle of life and death.

Human interpretation has corrupted almost every religion; it has given us a reason to hate each other. We are told we are different because our religion insists that ours is the only god. Does that mean people who don’t follow our religion are not god’s children?  How is that possible? We are all humans, we all have two eyes, two legs, two hands, and one nose…our skin colors may differ but our blood is all the same color! You wouldn’t hate your sibling if he called your father “papa” instead “dad”? Would you? Then why hate humans if they address their god by a different name? You wouldn’t hate your siblings if their philosophy of life was different from yours? Then why hate people who follow different religions?

There may be a lot of differences in the way we live and the philosophies we follow. We might also believe that we are headed towards different goals, after all Islam’s heaven is not the same as Christianity’s heaven which is different from a Hindu’s heaven, which is again unlike the Buddhist heaven, or Jewish heaven…yet if you ask yourself what heaven is, all religions believe it is a place of infinite bliss that only those of pure souls reach and hatred is the antithesis of purity.

There’s no denying that there are a lot of differences in the philosophies of religions, but if we learn to focus on our similarities instead of our differences, we’ll learn how to love and accept each other as fellow humans; children of god, even if they address him or her by different names!

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www.abc.net.au Some interesting questions asked by the audience! ================================== * 13:30: Abdullah Kunde * 25:30: Hamzah Qureishi * 31:00: Another brother. ================================== Panellists Richard Dawkins – evolutionary biologist and prominent athiest Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio – progressive Rabbi, Emanuel Synagogue Professor Patrick McGorry – Australian of the Year Steve Fielding – Leader of Family First Julie Bishop – Deputy Leader of the Opposition ==================================