Reincarnation

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Photon

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First of all, I realize that the Catholic Church does not believe in reincarnation. However, I do not agree with all of the teachings of the Church, and therefore I don’t consider myself a Catholic. Back to the topic, does anyone on here believe in reincarnation, despite Catholic teaching? I do. I would really appreciate a dicussion on this topic, and I welcome all points of view. I personally believe that I have seen different glimpses of the past, many of these little ‘visions’ or thoughts have been brought forth through artistic triggers. Has anyone ever had a similar experience? Once again, all discussion is welcome.
 
I don’t believe in Reincarnation because I don’t see the point in it. Once I get to heaven, if I get to heaven, that is what I want, to be happy forever, and not just go back to Earth and live again. Also it is not biblical. Hebrews 9:27 Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment. We bear the cross, then die and then are judged. We only live once.
 
Photon said:
First of all, I realize that the Catholic Church does not believe in reincarnation. However, I do not agree with all of the teachings of the Church, and therefore I don’t consider myself a Catholic. Back to the topic, does anyone on here believe in reincarnation, despite Catholic teaching? I do. I would really appreciate a dicussion on this topic, and I welcome all points of view. I personally believe that I have seen different glimpses of the past, many of these little ‘visions’ or thoughts have been brought forth through artistic triggers. Has anyone ever had a similar experience? Once again, all discussion is welcome.
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This is the Catholic Church Teaching in CCC 1013 below and if a Catholic does not believe and accept this teaching that is heresy.

CCC 1013 Death is the end of man’s earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers him so as to work out his earthly life in keeping with the divine plan, and to decide his ultimate destiny. When “the single course of our earthly life” is completed, we shall not return to other earthly lives: “It is appointed for men to die once.” There is no “reincarnation” after death.
 
I believe that we are given the opportunity to come back to this earth in order to evolve spiritually and to learn through our experiences. Each time, our life experiences are based on lessons that we have still to learn.
Before we come back we choose the basic blue print of our life ahead with the help of higher spiritual beings (saints, angels). They guide us according to our shortcomings in our previous life.
The whole point is that in each life, we strive towards growing closer to God with a more holistic spiritual approach.
It’s a bit like choosing different subjects to complete a degree. You may not like all the subjects that you have to complete but it is still necessary to do them to reach your final goal.
Does any of that make sense?
 
Yokading said:
I believe that we are given the opportunity to come back to this earth in order to evolve spiritually and to learn through our experiences. Each time, our life experiences are based on lessons that we have still to learn.
Before we come back we choose the basic blue print of our life ahead with the help of higher spiritual beings (saints, angels). They guide us according to our shortcomings in our previous life.
The whole point is that in each life, we strive towards growing closer to God with a more holistic spiritual approach.
It’s a bit like choosing different subjects to complete a degree. You may not like all the subjects that you have to complete but it is still necessary to do them to reach your final goal.
Does any of that make sense?
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Ah, no, sorry.
It is just not Biblical.
 
No, there is no place for Reincarnation in Christianity.

To explain: Keep in mind that regarding glimpses, the mind is an amazing and complex thing and capable of fabricating false memories or incorporating life (ex: WWII movies) into dreams/false memories. An interesting read is “The Seven Sins of Memory” (Memory & Cognition area of Psychology). This is not to say that we must distrust all our memories, but that occasionally false memories are created. I have experienced what I think you are describing, however, I can p(name removed by moderator)oint where these ideas originate (and we also have wonderful imaginations, a gift from God, but not always utilized for the good). An example: If all these flashes were true, I’d have also experience Buggers and Piggies (Ender’s Game series… I like good sci-fi). And I know that I could not have done so, as they were made up strictly for the plot line.

God bless!

PS. Yoka → this has no founding scripturally or through tradition.
 
The discussion on Reincarnation should be under Non-Catholic belief. In fact, many New Agers believe in this.

My last conversation with a New Age friend about reincarnation was that I was asked why there were many people on Earth <— this is not a proof for reincarnation. 😃

If you believe in the Bible then you know there is no reincarnation.

Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment:

[whereinthebible.org/Hebrews 9:27](http://www.whereinthebible.org/Hebrews 9:27)
 
Yokading said:
I believe that we are given the opportunity to come back to this earth in order to evolve spiritually and to learn through our experiences. Each time, our life experiences are based on lessons that we have still to learn.
Before we come back we choose the basic blue print of our life ahead with the help of higher spiritual beings (saints, angels). They guide us according to our shortcomings in our previous life.
The whole point is that in each life, we strive towards growing closer to God with a more holistic spiritual approach.
It’s a bit like choosing different subjects to complete a degree. You may not like all the subjects that you have to complete but it is still necessary to do them to reach your final goal.
Does any of that make sense?
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I find this idea very interesting and have similar beliefs. Thank you for this reply. I also want to thank everyone else for the kind responses. I am not sure that I entirely believe that we reincarnate or are judged for the final time at death, which is why I love this good discussion.
 
water said:
Could you say clearer for me?
Thanks!
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I’ll try, but I don’t know if I really know what exactly I believe here… ok, generally, of course, I want to believe what the Church teaches. On the other hand, I have read some really interesting accounts about people who remember having been somewhere before, past lives etc… just interesting. Which is not to say I necessarily believe it. It’ is just an interesting concept, and some things would make sense… the spiritual growing part, etc.

I am much more interested in near death experiences though, and they are usually about entering a whole different kind of reality.

Kathrin
 
Kathrin said:
I’m a bit torn on this I must admit.

Kathrin
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Kathrin, as Catholic you have the surety that the Church’s teaching is correct in this and other matters of Faith and Morals. As a Catholic you must give the assent of Faith to the Church’s teachings because it is Christ - who can neither deceive nor be deceived - teaching through His Church; you may, though, when you have difficulty understanding why such-and-such is so, seek a better understanding through study and prayer.

Reincarnation is counter the Incarnation of Christ which - among other things - highlights the goodness, not just of the spirit, but of the human body. Thus, our bodies are created to join with our spirits in the fullness of the salvation that Christ won for us. We are not purely spiritual creatures to whom a body is of no consequence and can flit from one to another until we are “enlightened”; the consequences of the actions prompted by our spirit (a gift of God) - for good or ill - are shared by the one body we receive, also a gift from God.
 
I used to believe lock, stock, and barrel in reincarnation. It seemed to explain human suffering and our struggle between good and evil. At that time I was not aware of the teachings of the Church on these subjects.

In the end I abandoned the belief because it just doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. I won’t go into the explanations I received regarding it, which sounded pretty neat to my uneducated, teenage mind. But, in the final analysis, who administers this divine justice? Even if we choose, someone has to be in charge. A God? What God? The one who claims to be the God states it isn’t so.

Not only that, in the beginning of the world there weren’t all that many people. Now there are billions. Where were all these souls all this time? And, if we are supposed to be perfecting ourselves all these thousands of lifetimes, we don’t seem to be doing a very good job of it. I think this belief is a hodge-podge of eastern religious beliefs given an occidental twist.

These “visions” you are having are not proof of reincarnation. If you know anything about the occult, new age, the devil and demons you know you can be given suggestions. You may also be dreaming these things up in a very active and adept imagination. I would not use that as a proof. May I suggest you use a little more critical thinking in your judgements.

Reincarnation sounds very intriguing. But, I would suggest you think about it from a critical standpoint and not an emotional one. Truth stands against any scrutiny.

Also, if you care about the truth, try praying to God to reveal the truth to you, as opposed to deciding it for yourself. If you are sincere and open, you will be surprised at what you get.

I prayed for that very thing and was led to this reincarnation belief before I was led to others and eventually to my belief now. Happy hunting.
 
FCEGM said:
Kathrin, as Catholic you have the surety that the Church’s teaching is correct in this and other matters of Faith and Morals. As a Catholic you must give the assent of Faith to the Church’s teachings because it is Christ - who can neither deceive nor be deceived - teaching through His Church; you may, though, when you have difficulty understanding why such-and-such is so, seek a better understanding through study and prayer.

Reincarnation is counter the Incarnation of Christ which - among other things - highlights the goodness, not just of the spirit, but of the human body. Thus, our bodies are created to join with our spirits in the fullness of the salvation that Christ won for us. We are not purely spiritual creatures to whom a body is of no consequence and can flit from one to another until we are “enlightened”; the consequences of the actions prompted by our spirit (a gift of God) - for good or ill - are shared by the one body we receive, also a gift from God.
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That’s a very good point, about the body. I hadn’t really thought of it that way much. That it would mean switching to totally different bodies.
 
I work in a prison and I get asked this question all the time…

I always say this is my first and last time here. When I get where I am going all I have to say is been there, done that, not doin it again.😛

reincarnation??? I already chose my God why would I do it again?
 
Photon said:
I find this idea very interesting and have similar beliefs. Thank you for this reply. I also want to thank everyone else for the kind responses. I am not sure that I entirely believe that we reincarnate or are judged for the final time at death, which is why I love this good discussion.
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Keep in mind that the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for one life…many reincarnations are not necessary!

The devil will do anything he can to sway people into believing in Reincarnation. It lacks the power and truth of our supernatural Catholic faith.
 
Photon said:
First of all, I realize that the Catholic Church does not believe in reincarnation. However, I do not agree with all of the teachings of the Church, and therefore I don’t consider myself a Catholic. Back to the topic, does anyone on here believe in reincarnation, despite Catholic teaching? I do. I would really appreciate a dicussion on this topic, and I welcome all points of view. I personally believe that I have seen different glimpses of the past, many of these little ‘visions’ or thoughts have been brought forth through artistic triggers. Has anyone ever had a similar experience? Once again, all discussion is welcome.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think that reincarnation is one of the big things missing from Christianity. If you read some books on it reincarnation makes alot of sense. I believe that eventually we will enter heaven, but first we must learn all that life has to teach us. WE cannot possibly do that within one lifetime.
 
Dorothy said:
Keep in mind that the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for one life…many reincarnations are not necessary!

The devil will do anything he can to sway people into believing in Reincarnation. It lacks the power and truth of our supernatural Catholic faith.
Click to expand...
I’m sorry, but what would the devil have to gain from people believing in reincarnation? Ofcourse, I expected someone to present the baseless theory of “If it’s not my religion, then it’s from Satan!”
 
blacktiger057 said:
Yes, I think that reincarnation is one of the big things missing from Christianity. If you read some books on it reincarnation makes alot of sense. I believe that eventually we will enter heaven, but first we must learn all that life has to teach us. WE cannot possibly do that within one lifetime.
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Yes, we CAN do that in one lifetime because we have the Infinite, Precious Blood of Jesus to wash us. Many saints have done so, and they are our models.

Reincarnation made a lot of sense ages ago when people did not know any better. They saw their crops grow, and then new crops came from the seeds. They used their minds and imaginations to make something of their lives, and put some meaning into them.

We are blessed in that we have God’s Revelation of the truth!

Because of belief in Reincarnation people are left to die in the streets in India. Those around them believe that they deserve where they are.

Mother Teresa showed the love of Jesus Christ to them.
 
another thing is that - if a Christian believes inreincarnation, he does not believe in everything Jesus has taught. If one does not believe in everything Jesus said and taught, Satan has a chance to move in.

Lately, there is only one God and Christians believe in that one God. Other faiths have some true in it - such as Love, Honoring parents, etc…however, the Catholic faith is the only true faith which contains all true.
 
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