Do you think there is reincarnation after death? Or is this all there is? What does your religion have to say about rebirth?
Share why if you wish.
Death Or Rebirth?
Asking — and answering — life's interesting questions
Do you think there is reincarnation after death? Or is this all there is? What does your religion have to say about rebirth?
Share why if you wish.
I don’t think there is any rebirth, in the traditional sense. I think the life we have is the only life there is, so we should make the most of it. When we die, the world goes on without us.
However, I am a firm believer in science, and perhaps the most unassailable, bedrock idea in science is that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but only changed from one form to another. So that means, scientifically, the energy that animates our bodies and minds will go on in some fashion. It won’t be recognizable as us in any way, but that energy will continue on until the end of the universe.
Of course, that’s true throughout our entire lives, not just in death. There is a constant interplay of energy from one form to another: from nuclear fusion in the sun, to radiating sunlight falling on the Earth, to absorption in plants, to food I eat, to things I do and thoughts I think, and back into the pool of energy available to all of us. It’s all quite beautiful, really.
I believe what it says at Acts 24:15, specifically “that there is going to be a resurrection”
This link explains the reasons why I believe this way https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/wp20150801/
I am an atheist. I believe that when I die, I die. I can only hope that, through my death, I become fertile soil and food for a longer-living tree. I’d really rather not become a lump of coal.
Michael, I wish I could convince you otherwise, but persuasion isn’t one of my strengths. I hope Rebecca
or one of your many friends can do it. I’m preparing a response for this question but it isn’t ready yet. For now, I’ll just say that I do believe in life after death. and I’m really glad you asked this question! What could be more important?
Why I believe in life after death
My faith in Jesus began with my parents and grandparents. My mother was a long-time member of the Congregational Church. Her parents were also. My wife and I were married by a Catholic Navy Chaplain 53 years ago. So, I owe my faith to other believers who came before me.
Why do I still believe in God and life after death after all these years? Here are a few thoughts:
My wife’s faith (and her family). My role models starting with Jesus, his mother Mary, his apostles including St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Pio of Pietrelcina (also known as Padre Pio), St. Teresa of Calcutta, and my pastors over the years.
Some important stories from scripture, including the story of Jesus’ appearance to Doubting Thomas and others after his resurrection, as well as his instructions to his disciples at the Last Supper.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, my faith has been reinforced by my lived experience in various ministries in my faith community.
These words are woefully inadequate to describe God and heaven. I can only repeat what the priest told our Inquiry class many years ago. “You don’t have to understand God and faith. When you buy a set of tires for your car, you trust that they will work for you. In the same way, trust that Jesus is who he said he was, the Son of God, and see what happens.”
I forgot to mention my professors and fellow students in the Theology Department at the University of St. Catherine. What a blessing it was to learn from them!