Oh cruel fate, why was I born a dog? Options

[*My Cinderella.*]

Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and other religions believe in dharma, which is basically tasks that one needs to complete in their lifetime. Do you believe that the form of life something or someone takes (such as a fish or dog) represents how they acted in their past lives? For example, do you think that a rapist years back could be the roach in your kitchen to this day? Or on a positive outlook, a kind and generous poor man could reborn into the prince of Thailand. What do you think?

[sweetangel2128]

I am assuming this is dealing with re-incarnation, in my own opinion I honestly don't believe in re-incarnation. I believe that life is what you make of it, you either succeed in your lifetime or you don't, you go to Heaven or Hell, that's it to this life, there is no second chances unless of course you almost die but then don't which gives you another chance to change the way you live your life. But I don't believe in re-incarnation which is why it's so important to worry about how you want to make your life here on earth before you die because there IS no second chances when it comes to death.

Now, if I did believe in re-incarnation I would say it would be freaky to be a pig being that when your fat enough, you die anyway so that kinda sucks lmao

[Simba]

I am assuming this is dealing with re-incarnation, in my own opinion I honestly don't believe in re-incarnation. I believe that life is what you make of it, you either succeed in your lifetime or you don't, you go to Heaven or Hell, that's it to this life, there is no second chances unless of course you almost die but then don't which gives you another chance to change the way you live your life. But I don't believe in re-incarnation which is why it's so important to worry about how you want to make your life here on earth before you die because there IS no second chances when it comes to death.

The misconception that reincarnation serves as something of a "second chance" to go to Heaven or Hell is nonsense. First of all, in real reincarnation, there are no material dimensions of Heaven or Hell as thought to be in Christianity. "Hell" is described as a state of dim God-consciousness; "Heaven" is spiritually returning to the Supreme Being (God).

Because one continuously undergoes reincarnation until he becomes God-conscious, there is no such "second" chance. Your chance of reuniting with God is constant as you are not the body but an eternal soul.

Reincarnation (once it is understood) is much more logical and reasonable than the concept of one shot at Heaven or Hell. Reincarnation (and karma) justify why you are born where you are and in what conditions (ex: in a poor family with one arm, or in a rich area and healthy) rather than it being almost completely random as it would be in a "one shot" scenario. Reuniting with God also sounds much more simple than it really is in Christian teachings.

Coincidentally, during the period where reincarnation was taught in Christianity, one of the reasons why teachers stopped teaching reincarnation was because they thought that followers would receive the misconception that reincarnation gives them a "second chance" and that people would cease undergoing serious religious activities.

[sweetangel2128]

The misconception that reincarnation serves as something of a "second chance" to go to Heaven or Hell is nonsense. First of all, in real reincarnation, there are no material dimensions of Heaven or Hell as thought to be in Christianity. "Hell" is described as a state of dim God-consciousness; "Heaven" is spiritually returning to the Supreme Being (God).

Because one continuously undergoes reincarnation until he becomes God-conscious, there is no such "second" chance. Your chance of reuniting with God is constant as you are not the body but an eternal soul.

Reincarnation (once it is understood) is much more logical and reasonable than the concept of one shot at Heaven or Hell. Reincarnation (and karma) justify why you are born where you are and in what conditions (ex: in a poor family with one arm, or in a rich area and healthy) rather than it being almost completely random as it would be in a "one shot" scenario. Reuniting with God also sounds much more simple than it really is in Christian teachings.

Coincidentally, during the period where reincarnation was taught in Christianity, one of the reasons why teachers stopped teaching reincarnation was because they thought that followers would receive the misconception that reincarnation gives them a "second chance" and that people would cease undergoing serious religious activities.

Well, I'd rather go with the "one chance" senario because I know deep down in my heart I'll be spending eternity in Heaven with God which to me is far more enjoyable than re-incarnation.

As for for Christians and reuniting with God being simple. It's not simple at all, there will be lots of obstacles but if you go towards those obstacles and beat them with all your heart, you will succeed and make God happy and he will reward you and bless you. A lot of people teach that Christianity is easy but those are the wrong people to listen to, the good people are the ones that teach you that Christianity, your walk with God will be hard, very hard but will also be rewarding.

I don't remember them ever teaching reincarnation in Christianity. While I've only been a Christian for a year, I have kept my ears and eyes open to learning about religion (christian religion that is) and I have never heard of them teaching reincarnation.

[Simba]

Well, I'd rather go with the "one chance" senario because I know deep down in my heart I'll be spending eternity in Heaven with God which to me is far more enjoyable than re-incarnation.

You might rather want to go to a good college rather than a bad college, but we don't always get to do what we'd rather do.

Ok, no one said reincarnation was going to be enjoyable; in fact, the suffering that goes along with being born and reborn again in this material world is a reminder that our true homes are not here, but with God.

However, it should be emphasized that reincarnation is not a never-ending process. One gets out of the cycle of reincarnation by becoming God-conscious, which is similar to the "one chance" deal, but with more reason and logic.

I don't remember them ever teaching reincarnation in Christianity. While I've only been a Christian for a year, I have kept my ears and eyes open to learning about religion (christian religion that is) and I have never heard of them teaching reincarnation.

Well, I don't expect you to actually remember reincarnation being taught in Christianity, since that was a long, long time ago, back in Origen's time when there were still "fathers of Christianity."

Origen one of the fathers of Christianity, among other Christians, once preached reincarnation. (Though it should be noted that they did not have perfect knowledge of reincarnation.) However, the Christians finally concluded to not teach reincarnation for the fear of receiving that same "second chance" misconception you had and that people would stop participating in serious religious activities (as I've previously stated).

[sweetangel2128]

You might rather want to go to a good college rather than a bad college, but we don't always get to do what we'd rather do.

Ok, no one said reincarnation was going to be enjoyable; in fact, the suffering that goes along with being born and reborn again in this material world is a reminder that our true homes are not here, but with God.

However, it should be emphasized that reincarnation is not a never-ending process. One gets out of the cycle of reincarnation by becoming God-conscious, which is similar to the "one chance" deal, but with more reason and logic.
Well, I don't expect you to actually remember reincarnation being taught in Christianity, since that was a long, long time ago, back in Origen's time when there were still "fathers of Christianity."

Origen one of the fathers of Christianity, among other Christians, once preached reincarnation. (Though it should be noted that they did not have perfect knowledge of reincarnation.) However, the Christians finally concluded to not teach reincarnation for the fear of receiving that same "second chance" misconception you had and that people would stop participating in serious religious activities (as I've previously stated).

I know you don't always get what you want but when it comes to God that is somewhat of the case since you have a choice which side to take and how to act. That you can control. As for college, sometimes that's kinda hard because of money but if you have the will power and the money you can do it.

When you say Christians or Christianity you got to be specific...there are a lot of different types of Christianity. Such as: Catholic, Pentacostal, non-Denominational, Baptist..ect.. Do you know what branch it was? Could it of been Catholics?

Note: I don't think God is simple anyways, things are hard even in this life.

[Simba]

When you say Christians or Christianity you got to be specific...there are a lot of different types of Christianity. Such as: Catholic, Pentacostal, non-Denominational, Baptist..ect.. Do you know what branch it was? Could it of been Catholics?

I'm not sure which branch of Christianity it was, but it shouldn't matter too much since the essential teachings of all of the denominations should be rather similar. I mean, this was probably before many of the denominations existed.

[sweetangel2128]

I'm not sure which branch of Christianity it was, but it shouldn't matter too much since the essential teachings of all of the denominations should be rather similar. I mean, this was probably before many of the denominations existed.

Not exactly. From what I was told Catholics teach outside of the Bible or add to it quite often. Which is why I was wondering.

You're talking about a tiny little "misguided" denomination of Christianity... I just don't think you should refer to the whole.

I agree. You see that's what upsets me with a lot of unbelievers. They think since one Christian teaches one thing or does one thing that the whole religion is bad and all Christians are evil. That really upsets me.