The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #93717   Message #1806802
Posted By: Bill D
10-Aug-06 - 08:20 PM
Thread Name: So do we live to die and comeback ....?
Subject: RE: So do we live to die and comeback ....?
well, Azizi, in one sense, I need do nothing about it, as it CAN be argued that the beliefs in another's head have no effect on me. If someone wants to believe that fairies in their garden tend the flowers, I can only shrug. Likewise, a simple belief in reincarnation by YOU is unlikely to make much difference to ME.

But, I care, and I write, and I talk, and...once, briefly, I taught in school....because the basic mindset that entertains such beliefs is, in some places, dangerous and is used to justify behavior which IS relevant to me.

Note that most of the suicide bombers 'believe' that they are going straight to Paradise for what they do. This not precisely reincarnation, but it is the 'mindset' that concerns me. Most who believe in one type of metaphysical or paranormal phenomena also believe in others.

Further, IF I am correct and these beliefs are not well supported or explained, then having these beliefs 'just because they feel nice' does, by definition, interfere with looking at more productive and useful inquiry.
(If we 'know' that the world was created in 4004 BC, then why put much stock in all the carbon dating and anthropology and archeology?...It's just some 'stuff' God put there to amuse us)

well...you asked. Some ideas and claims are worth investigating...but it is VERY easy to be lured by specious 'proofs' and careless analysis into believing almost anything that sounds like something we'd like.

I have just learned to not be bothered by the idea that I am 'gone' when I go! I need to do the best I can while I am here.