Heaven or Reincarnation?

I always kind of thought that it depends on how well we do here. If we fufill our dreams and whatnot, heaven would be a nice rewards, but maybe we still have things to learn and understand, in which case reincarnation would be a not bad option. Better than the express train to hell!

Not specifically, but I know what you mean. I will have dreams of people I've never met sometimes, and wonder if something like that is at play. I always feels like I know them, and the same people have shown up in dreams randomly over the years. It's almost like I've gotten to know them that way. I always wondered if maybe I knew them from a "before". It doesnt happen more than a few times a year, but when it does, the dream stays with me all day. Maybe I just have a really active imagination, lol.

The standard that Christians do not reincarnate did not come with the earliest of Christianity, but a little later on ( Of course we Catholics had a hand in that by-law lol ) Sooooo.... I see no reason to rule out the idea of reincarnation. I simply hope I am not on the list ;)

Haha, good point. I was raised Catholic, but let's just say I keep an open mind and assume that the powers that be understand. I don't think there's any right or wrong religion or view of the afterlife, just different ways we choose to live our lives. Keep in mind that this is coming from someone who probably wouldn't get lucky enough for a do-over if God is watching very closely ;)

The list to be reincarnated. I feel no need to recreate my life. It is, and was, what it is and was. I see Heaven more as a place of rest, peace, and such. Hopefully it is a lovely place to heal.

Neither do I Shay... My Grannie gave me a wonderful explanation of religion when I was younger. She said " Praying is our way of talking to God. Religion is God's way of talking to us, and he isn't having the exact same conversation with everybody " I agree with her :)

Nothing wrong with your mother's approach at all. I often tell people I am a rather un-typical Catholic. But for me the religious "tag" is more about honoring my father than some rock hard stance on dogma. I love being a Catholic, but I will be the Catholic I chose to be. That's my take on it Hun :)

Yep.... That about covers it :) lol

oh and btw.... The Ghitas ( what I would consider the foremost divine books that speak of reincarnation ) say that if you screw up too much as a human being, you are coming back as a bug. *smiles*

lol @ Blighters My husband would love you. He writes horror mostly, and has me sit and listen. He says if I say "Yuk !" more than 3 times in one sitting, he has achieved his goal. Here's a story A monstrous murderer comes back as a praying mantis. BUT ! He remembers his former life, and goes on a rampage of devouring the toes of all the humans that annoyed him. ;)

" Praying is our way of talking to God. Religion is God's way of talking to us, and he isn't having the exact same conversation with everybody " I like this topic and this is just beautiful. I could weave a cathedral around it.

*smiles* I can imagine my Grannie's response to that Celtic God often requires a lifetime of service. I, on the hand. just want dishes washed. ( something she told me once when I said I was praying she wouldn't pick me to do them *chuckles* )

It's hard work being a human being. I would be an ass if I I didn't recognize the fact that the joyful moments in my life outweigh the sad but I must have been a bit of a devil in my former life to get this one. Anyway it is getting better as I age and that means that I may reach Nirvana at some stage and that is what I believe. We are reincarnated and the better you manage your life the higher you reach eventually. You can only learn from the bad times and the good of course. I don't think you have to be especially religious to attain reincarnation and I do believe as has been mentioned that you may very well be reborn as a slug and have to start all over again if that is possible. I believe in Nirvana contrary heaven well Nirvana is heaven but not a religious one. I was brought up with a faith in fellow man not a God so I know nothing else and there has to be space for us non-believers as well. I think mankind is learning but gees it sure is at a slow pace taking into consideration how long we have been on this earth- how many generations. You can't force goodness but you can believe in it and put it in your heart. That takes you a long way and is the best part of it all. Basically we humans are still on a very low stage as to intelligence and moving forward but we will get there once we have discarded all the unecessary superfluous frills and animal behaviour. We need to honour Nature much much more. This is just my humble opinion about reincarnation and heaven.

i believe 'just in case'. fire insurance! i dont believe any god would be such a big girls blouse to object. keep yourself good - do no-one any harm intentionally and heaven / re-incarnation / whatever .