The problem of Rebirth- (Punarjanma) I was always fascinated by this concept right from my childhood. I sincerely believed it to be true until I delved deeper into this subject. The concept is quite ancient. It appears to have been evolved out of the idea that the entire rhythm of nature is based on cycles; days, months, years, seasons all follow repeating cycles. This idea is an essential part of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. Only the Charvakas and the Lokayats challenged this notion. It is found among the ancient Greeks and Druids. The word “Reincarnation” derives from the Latin, literally meaning ,”entering the flesh again”. The Greek equivalent metempsychosis roughly corresponds to the common English phrase “transmigration of the soul”. Rebirth for the modern mind is no more than a speculation; it has never been proved by the methods of modern science nor it can be proved to the satisfaction of a critical mind formed by a scientific culture. I present some of the objections to the Rebirth theory .These ideas are borrowed from various sources and are not original. But I believe that they are very important in challenging the myth of “Punarjanma”-Rebirth. 1.Philosophical problem-We suffer for our sins in another body; we shall be rewarded in another body for our virtues in this; and so it will go on ad infinitum. 2.Evolution Theory-This theory teaches that consciousness developed gradually along with the development of the brain and the nervous system. This is clearly at loggerheads with the Rebirth Theory. 3.Life’s Recency-There was no life for billions of years but Rebirth Theory postulates a series of birth stretching back up to the past without limit. 4.Population objection-The growth of human population cannot be reconciled with the notion of stationery population to which Reincarnationists are committed. Adding to the woe is the extinction of several species like Dodo, Dinosaurs,et.c 5.Absence of genuine memory- Memory is the man ,says the psychologist ,and what is the use of the survival of my personality ,If I do not remember my past, If I am not aware of being the same person still and always? What is the utility? It is rational and more ethical to believe in one and only life. Nothing before and nothing after. Make the best out of your life and move on. Theist Can you believe in rebirth after reading this?
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 04:34:07 +0000
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