A Pagan's Theories on Recinarnation

[AnimeSpirit]

Originally Posted by Morpheus

Hey anime, your baseless bias is showing. You are implying that those who hold views that are different from yours are uneducated, and that this resulted from their presumably incorrect "one-sided" education. I have come to expect this type of reverse discrimination and persecution from minority groups that always claim to promote "equality and freedom" but who really are bigots themselves.

Sorry, Morpheus, but you misunderstood. I did not say that people who do not believe in reincarnation are automatically baseless and uneducated. I am saying that if you reject reincarnation without knowing anything about it, then your opinion is baseless. Or you could say that the base of your opinion is that you have been taught the ascension theory as truth all your life, which is where one-sided education comes in. I did not say that this applies to everyone, or every supporter of ascension. I am sure there are many out there who have educated themselves on both topics.

This is one of the major differences between the Christian and Pagan paths. Christians are given their truth in the form of a book and told "this is all the truth you need." And that's fine. Pagans, on the other hand, are given many books and told "Find your own truth through trial and error."

As for me, my opinion is hardly biased. I have been taught both the ascension theory as well as reincarnation and when I compare the two logically, I find that reincarnation seems more natural and likely to be the way of things. This is my educated opinion.

Take care where you label groups as "bigots," because I too have seen my fair share of it and not just from minorities.

[piemaker720]

Originally Posted by AnimeSpirit

Sorry, Morpheus, but you misunderstood. I did not say that people who do not believe in reincarnation are automatically baseless and uneducated. I am saying that if you reject reincarnation without knowing anything about it, then your opinion is baseless. Or you could say that the base of your opinion is that you have been taught the ascension theory as truth all your life, which is where one-sided education comes in. I did not say that this applies to everyone, or every supporter of ascension. I am sure there are many out there who have educated themselves on both topics.

This is one of the major differences between the Christian and Pagan paths. Christians are given their truth in the form of a book and told "this is all the truth you need." And that's fine. Pagans, on the other hand, are given many books and told "Find your own truth through trial and error."
As for me, my opinion is hardly biased. I have been taught both the ascension theory as well as reincarnation and when I compare the two logically, I find that reincarnation seems more natural and likely to be the way of things. This is my educated opinion.

Take care where you label groups as "bigots," because I too have seen my fair share of it and not just from minorities.

Good Post Anime.

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by piemaker720

Good Post Anime.

LOOK it's a MAGIC tray!!! Apparently Gaia likes cheeseburgers. Hey Pie, you better check to make sure Ronald got the order right!

[Morpheus]

[piemaker720]

Originally Posted by Morpheus

LOOK it's a MAGIC tray!!! Apparently Gaia likes cheeseburgers. Hey Pie, you better check to make sure Ronald got the order right!

Morpheus, I don't know which look worse the cheeseburger or the clown.

[Isaac-Saxxon]

Friday night and time to get
SKY CLAD

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by Isaac-Saxxon

Friday night and time to get
SKY CLAD

+1

[Pocahontas]

Motor boat, motor boat go so slow
Motor boat, motor boat go so fast
Motor boat, motor boat step on the gas!!!!!!!!!

Good luck!

[Morpheus]

First...

Originally Posted by AnimeSpirit

In this case, he explained reincarnation so baseless supporters of the ascension theory would not be so quick to throw it out. It is meant to help the reader's opinion become one that is educated and not based on one-sided education.

then...

Originally Posted by AnimeSpirit

Sorry, Morpheus, but you misunderstood. I did not say that people who do not believe in reincarnation are automatically baseless and uneducated. I am saying that if you reject reincarnation without knowing anything about it, then your opinion is baseless. Or you could say that the base of your opinion is that you have been taught the ascension theory as truth all your life, which is where one-sided education comes in. I did not say that this applies to everyone, or every supporter of ascension. I am sure there are many out there who have educated themselves on both topics.

I think there is a spot for you on the Democratic Ticket!

Glad you weren't sky clad for this shot!

[Pocahontas]

Originally Posted by AnimeSpirit

Sorry, Morpheus, but you misunderstood. I did not say that people who do not believe in reincarnation are automatically baseless and uneducated. I am saying that if you reject reincarnation without knowing anything about it, then your opinion is baseless. Or you could say that the base of your opinion is that you have been taught the ascension theory as truth all your life, which is where one-sided education comes in. I did not say that this applies to everyone, or every supporter of ascension. I am sure there are many out there who have educated themselves on both topics.

This is one of the major differences between the Christian and Pagan paths. Christians are given their truth in the form of a book and told "this is all the truth you need." And that's fine. Pagans, on the other hand, are given many books and told "Find your own truth through trial and error."

As for me, my opinion is hardly biased. I have been taught both the ascension theory as well as reincarnation and when I compare the two logically, I find that reincarnation seems more natural and likely to be the way of things. This is my educated opinion.

Take care where you label groups as "bigots," because I too have seen my fair share of it and not just from minorities.

I'm just very curious Anime to know how and when you were introduced to paganism? Most of us were introduced to Christianity from our parents. Was/is your household pagan?

[AnimeSpirit]

Originally Posted by Pocahontas

I'm just very curious Anime to know how and when you were introduced to paganism? Most of us were introduced to Christianity from our parents. Was/is your household pagan?

Actually, I'm the only Pagan in my entire family, let alone my household. I grew up in a loose Baptist family from Jonesboro, LA, where I acquired my Christian education. Shortly after high school, I joined the military and moved to Florida where I was stationed. While I was there, I picked up an interest in tarot reading. I found it such a fascinating topic that I picked up other books on various occult-related topics and divination, met some of the local Craft users, and the path just sat right with me. Not long after, I began wearing a pentacle necklace not unlike the one I wear today.

I'm not here to recruit people to Paganism, but I find it to be much broader and with so much to learn. Including prayer, there are numerous skills that easily prove useful to a practitioner in daily life.

[Princess Leia]

I haven't said much on this topic, because I honestly don't know much about reincarnation. I do however know a lot about the Christian way of life. In the whole how to present an arguement, I have to side with Morph. In order to present a paper or debate about something, one typically does have to present both the pros and cons (also known as a comparison) - based soley alone on the fact that there may be some who aren't educated on either topic. Also, in doing so, you really allow the reader to make an educated opinion on the topic.

A couple of times I have read that people who believe in the "ascension" theory are just told that and they believe it. WRONG!!! I am a Christian and happy to say that I fully believe in the heaven and hell area of this conversation. I am going to Heaven. I wasn't told this and believed it, it has come with YEARS of learning and reading not only my Bible, but also multiple reference books, and seeking the counsel of those who are very educated on the topic. So, don't say that we who believe in this are just spoonfed and take it for fact.

I do also have to say that the only way these two subjects compare is that there are some in both "practices" that hear the facts and take it as the gospel - and then there are others (like on this board) who are educated and seek the truth. That, my friends, is where the comparison ends!!

[AnimeSpirit]

If you side with ascension without even learning about reincarnation, then you kinda prove my point. I'm not going to accuse anyone of being a spoonfed Christian, though, but they are out there. You'd be amazed how many people brought up in Christian homes never even considered learning about another religion, be it Paganism, Buddhism, Muslim or any other world religion. I've known my fair share of Christians here in the South that not only have no interest in world religion, but consider having such topics in their presence highly offensive. I, myself, have almost been removed from households just for admitting that I'm a Pagan.

I am not generalizing by any means, mind you. We've all seen how intolerant Muslims can be as well and such lack of understanding, I think, is where the problem lies.

If you have spent the hours you say you have on reading the understanding your path and it has led you to deeper belief, then you are where you should be, nuf said. Still, it doesn't hurt to take an interest in other religious practices. No one is asking you to convert, mind you, but having some knowledge brings about an aura of interest, empathy, and understanding that really helps fill the gap between people of different cultures.

[LateNight]

Originally Posted by AnimeSpirit

If you side with ascension without even learning about reincarnation, then you kinda prove my point. I'm not going to accuse anyone of being a spoonfed Christian, though, but they are out there. You'd be amazed how many people brought up in Christian homes never even considered learning about another religion, be it Paganism, Buddhism, Muslim or any other world religion. I've known my fair share of Christians here in the South that not only have no interest in world religion, but consider having such topics in their presence highly offensive. I, myself, have almost been removed from households just for admitting that I'm a Pagan.

I am not generalizing by any means, mind you. We've all seen how intolerant Muslims can be as well and such lack of understanding, I think, is where the problem lies.

If you have spent the hours you say you have on reading the understanding your path and it has led you to deeper belief, then you are where you should be, nuf said. Still, it doesn't hurt to take an interest in other religious practices. No one is asking you to convert, mind you, but having some knowledge brings about an aura of interest, empathy, and understanding that really helps fill the gap between people of different cultures.

it's a sign of the times.. people believe what they are going to believe.. doesn't matter the topic. The days of debate and discovery.. for the most part, appear to be gone. Personally I believe the power of debate and discussion.. over the years, there are things I've changed my mind on.. there are bits and pieces I've taken from here and there.. to form my own opinions. I'm willing to admit when I'm wrong, or when I'm not sure of something.. if I don't know.. I want to be taught. Teach me.

Peace.

[piemaker720]

I have tried to keep from commenting on this thread topic but the views are getting rediculous. I have nothing against Christianity or Paganism. To sit here and argue about things you could not possibly prove is pointless. I know there is no one who could actually prove there is a heaven or hell. I know of no one that has actually seen it for themselves. I also know you can not prove reincarnation, I have never seen anyone die and come back as something else. You believe what you believe because it is what you read in books or was told. As for as the weakminded they can be swayed either way, they have free will just like the rest of us. I grew up going to The Assembly of God [my dad], my mother is Morman, my step-father was Baptist and I know some Pagans as far as I am concerned I don't care what a person believes in as long as they don't try to push their beliefs on me. A vast difference is what makes up this world so to each his own. Close minded people contribute to the distant between people. The arguement about what came first the egg or the chicken who can prove it. Educate yourself even if that is not your belief then you can at least carry on a conversation with others. Enough said.