I'm kind of partial to teh whole re-incarnation thing myself, like Patton biggrin:

Excellent choice of topic, Adml. O.

The wave of stupid threads often causes me to seek intelligence elsewhere. Nice to see a thread void of "I hate this", "Watch this stupid clip", or "(insert country here) sucks".

As a young man I studied several different religions in an effort to understand the truth. The first thing that I came across was Hindu...and I really can't see worshiping cows. I quess I just love a T-Bone to much.

So I don't buy into the reincarnation bit. I do however believe there is a connection with all life, or a "of the same making" philosophy. So in that respect I do think all life should be cherished.

The next thing I set out to study was Christ related religion, from Morman to Catholic. I read a good portion of the bible and researched its history. I came to the conclusion that Jesus did live and in my opinion was a gifted and unique savior. His teachings and ideals are the groundwork for a perfect worldwide society.
However I was amazed at the diversity of Christ related religion, it turns out that most Christ related religions shun others and consider the other wrong, or worse evil or corupt.

But I never bought into the whole judgement day, Jesus the son of god, or creation a begining of life. I really laugh at those who take the bible so seriously as to say it is all true and we should beg for forgiveness. It would seem those people have no concept of the history of thier own litature.

One of the final things I studied was Buddhism, which concerns the energy or Karma you guys are discussing now. With Buddhism I really enjoyed the lack of god...... Buddhism does not concern itself with god, only with understanding and enlightenment.

After all this I have come to understand that it doesn't really matter what will become of me once I am dead. I am a noble person and have lived my life honorably and justly. I have learned to appriciate life and have no fear of guilt, pain, or "hell" after I die.

I'm surprised there wasn't a "I honestly don't know" option.

Anyway, I remember hearing about some sorta experiment, concluding that each person would be a few ounces lighter the moment they die; So maybe when you die you just wander around aimlessly in another form, and when time comes you would able to "connect" with a certain person, and make that certain person's day by "haunting" him/her.

Then again, maybe you'll just rot. angel:

Life has no intrinsic value or purpose. When our time comes, permanent unconsciousness. Enjoy what little time you have and choose your purpose wisely, for you will never again possess an awareness of existence...

What he said. I recommend if you want to read about what happens before you die to read "Tuesdays With Morrie". Its a slow read but its a true story and you will learn about whats to come.

[quote="Duke_of_Ray":c1819]Believe you either go to Heaven or Hell, but I do believe God gives us plenty of chances to make the right choice and will always accept us into His House, noo matter how late in life we accept Him. I do not believe it's about beign a good or bad person, if you make it right with God, that will be taken care of.[/quote:c1819]

rofl...plz...

But then what is consciousness? When we sleep are we aware of our own existence?

Isn't it hard to imagine a state of unexistence hellfire:

rock:

thats probably the saddest thing I've ever read cry:


It's also one of the reasons I want to serve rather than sit at a desk 9-5 If I can save a life or do something worthy then my life would have been worth living.

We've been arguing the specifics of awareness and consciousness for
thousands of years so I won't be giving you a satisfactory answer any
time soon... but keep in mind that as science progresses, so does our
knowledge of everything become based on natural laws instead of the
mystical. I don't know about you, but unless I dream, sleep IS death
for a very temporary length of time: I sometimes keep myself awake
"just a little longer", irrationally fearing that I'll never wake up again...
... but the joke is on me: I'd never even have COGNIZANCE of it.

happy:

Guys thanks for your input. It was very interesting to hear all your different points of views.