Religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism believe in the concept of reincarnation. Many people in the Western World are also believers. For those people it is as realistic as the death of Jesus on the Cross and His subsequent coming back to life on the third day. Both concepts make sense in theory.
The idea is unacceptable to most followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islamic followers. But, some sects within these major religions do accept reincarnation as truth. One such example is the Kaballah, which branched out from Judaism. Most East Indian religions and residents of the Eastern World do believe it is reality.
Specific cases have been reported by philosophical and medical experts. In some instances they seem supportive of the concept. The case of Bridey Murphy was reported about a woman in Madison, Wisconsin who recalled a past life as a child in Ireland. Her rebirth occurred in Madison 59 years after the death of the Irish girl. The Madison housewife had memories that correlated with the life of that child.
As the hypnotist took the middle class housewife into a regression that occurred prior to her birth in Wisconsin, she spoke to him in the guise of Bridey Murphy, who lived in 19th century Ireland. Morey Bernstein, the man who put her under hypnosis, claimed she revealed memories of that past life that correlated to later research into the life of Bridey Murphy.
Dr. Ian Stevenson, investigated in a different way. He interviewed children who had told stories of previous lives that would have required more sophistication than a small child would have. He kept detailed records, then later compared the facts. He used strict scientific protocol to document each fact.
He began by gathering data from a child who claimed memories of a past life. He went on to confirm those memories and match them to a child who lived when and where the subject indicated. He then verified details such as birthmarks, birth defects and medical details gained through medical records.
Anything other than the rebirth was ruled out, with the living child having no way of finding out about a person in another country and in many cases speaking another language. Sometimes the subject was too young to be able to read.
Dr. Stevenson is a respected individual with a spotless reputation. He has a medical degree and has written many articles prior to the time he began his investigations. He was head of the Psychiatry Department at the University of Virginia, an accredited college.
The tenets of Buddhism are somewhat different. They hold that no eternal soul exists. Instead there is a stream of consciousness. Following the death of an individual, he will be reborn. The various branches of the religion posit there are somewhere between five and ten realms of existence.
Traditional Buddhism teaches that there are ten. They are classified from the top, most important, which is Buddha, to the bottom, which is depraved man. Each new life brings greater compassion and striving to achieve enlightenment.
Reincarnation, backed up by facts or alluded to by religious beliefs, is something each person will choose to accept or decline the truth of. For those who do not want to think life ends with death, it is an attractive concept. Those who believe cannot be shaken and those who do not cannot be dissuaded from their denial.
The idea is unacceptable to most followers of Christianity, Judaism and Islamic followers. But, some sects within these major religions do accept reincarnation as truth. One such example is the Kaballah, which branched out from Judaism. Most East Indian religions and residents of the Eastern World do believe it is reality.
Specific cases have been reported by philosophical and medical experts. In some instances they seem supportive of the concept. The case of Bridey Murphy was reported about a woman in Madison, Wisconsin who recalled a past life as a child in Ireland. Her rebirth occurred in Madison 59 years after the death of the Irish girl. The Madison housewife had memories that correlated with the life of that child.
As the hypnotist took the middle class housewife into a regression that occurred prior to her birth in Wisconsin, she spoke to him in the guise of Bridey Murphy, who lived in 19th century Ireland. Morey Bernstein, the man who put her under hypnosis, claimed she revealed memories of that past life that correlated to later research into the life of Bridey Murphy.
Dr. Ian Stevenson, investigated in a different way. He interviewed children who had told stories of previous lives that would have required more sophistication than a small child would have. He kept detailed records, then later compared the facts. He used strict scientific protocol to document each fact.
He began by gathering data from a child who claimed memories of a past life. He went on to confirm those memories and match them to a child who lived when and where the subject indicated. He then verified details such as birthmarks, birth defects and medical details gained through medical records.
Anything other than the rebirth was ruled out, with the living child having no way of finding out about a person in another country and in many cases speaking another language. Sometimes the subject was too young to be able to read.
Dr. Stevenson is a respected individual with a spotless reputation. He has a medical degree and has written many articles prior to the time he began his investigations. He was head of the Psychiatry Department at the University of Virginia, an accredited college.
The tenets of Buddhism are somewhat different. They hold that no eternal soul exists. Instead there is a stream of consciousness. Following the death of an individual, he will be reborn. The various branches of the religion posit there are somewhere between five and ten realms of existence.
Traditional Buddhism teaches that there are ten. They are classified from the top, most important, which is Buddha, to the bottom, which is depraved man. Each new life brings greater compassion and striving to achieve enlightenment.
Reincarnation, backed up by facts or alluded to by religious beliefs, is something each person will choose to accept or decline the truth of. For those who do not want to think life ends with death, it is an attractive concept. Those who believe cannot be shaken and those who do not cannot be dissuaded from their denial.
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