It is hard to believe that my three month vacation and "escape from work" tour is almost over. I've visited the Philippines and almost got my home finished there. I've visited Jakarta (Indonesia). Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Singapore (Singapore). Ungasan (Bali, Indonesia), and now Tokyo (Japan). All that travelling and I've only just scratched the surface. However as my time draws short I'm happy that I get to return home.
But in addition to my trip being over I'm also getting older. My school days are done. My days of looking after young children are done. My days of working are all but over. I'm entering an exciting phase of my life where I'm looking forward to enjoying the "Winter' of my life with a lot of excitement but also a little trepidation.
Why trepidation? Mostly because the final destination is a big question mark. What truly happens when people die?
Now as a Christian I've always been told that the Bible holds the answer after death. However, there are differing world views on what the end truly looks like.
Now many different religions believe that we are more than just a body. That there is a spirit residing within us. I would almost hazard a guess that all major religions believe in some sort of spirit or soul. Of course what happens to those spirits or souls after death? Well, lets just say that there isn't a consensus on that. If I had to break it down though here is how I would do that.
As a Christian I believe that every person gets one pass through life. At the end of that path the soul gets judged and the wheat gets separated from the chaff. The good from the bad. Those who followed Christ go to Heaven. Those who do not go to Hell. It is very back and white and very polarizing often seeming to be an offense to the idea of accepting everyone. However, that is what is written and I'll let other minds take up the debate.
However, it is not just Christians who believe in final judgement. Judaism and Muslims also believe in a final judgement. That there is both good and evil, right and wrong.
Other religions believe that the spirit doesn't die after death but instead take another go-round. Some religions say that it goes into another body, perhaps even a human one. Sometimes the decision of where the spirit goes is determined by if someone has been good or bad and how much they learned on their trip through life.
Being in Japan right now I'm in the center of the Shinto religion. Here people and things have spirits. Those spirits live in the spirit realm. Praying to the spirits allows them to help out in the physical realm. So, when a loved one passes you place a shrine in the house so the spirit can still be with the family. Still help out and sense how things are going.
Of course some people don't believe that we are anything more than animals. We live, we die. When we are dead it is curtains over and nothing more.
Now I will say flat out: I generalized things as I see them. As a Christian I am not well versed on all the major world religions. I could have biased views or flat out wrong viewpoints. However, I think I've summed up things fairly accurately. Also, as there are no reliable recent accounts of what happen after death I'm going to say that any one of the above trains of thought is plausible.
Now I have seen an awful lot of reports from people who have near death experiences. How often have you heard about people feeling peace before death. Or seeing a bright light. Or seeing someone come to take them away. Lots of reports come in and honestly I treat every single one with suspicion. Why? Because the brain keeps on firing long after the body gives up trying. The brain can make up all sorts of things when it is in the final stages of death. Bring it back and all sorts of things can crop up. Could they be real? Well I won't dismiss the possibility but I tend to fall into the "it was a mirage by a dying mind".
I've also heard people speak about ghosts, spirits and hauntings. If true those would seem to suggest that spirits do exist. Then again, I can honestly say that I don't believe in ghosts and such. However, that is just me. Others truly believe they do exist and who knows maybe they are right.
Call me old fashioned but I do believe in the idea of heaven and hell. I believe that everyone will face final judgement and be separated.
Because I take the Bible at face value. Now people can argue about the historical accuracy of the Bible. About what did or did not happen. But the Bible contains eyewitness reports from numerous people saying that Jesus did indeed die. A guaranteed death, not a death like state...so no near death experience. Then three days later he rose from the dead. No...I was close but got revived...we are talking 3 days and done. If true that would make him the only person to ever truly come back that I'm aware of.
Could I be wrong? Of course I could. Could others be right? Well if I'm wrong then I'm quite certain the others are right. However, I'm going to continue to hold my viewpoint simply because I find the other options distasteful.
The most distasteful to me is that I'm nothing more than an animal and when I die I'm finished. I mean where is the hope in that? If I am nothing more than a shell then why on earth should I live a "Good" lifestyle? I mean have as much sex as I can with whoever I can and enjoy everything I can for as long as I can. In the end nothing matters...right? But what kind of world does that make? It makes a world where every person for themself. It makes for a very unkind world where everyone lives for themself.
Nope. That's not a world I want to live in.
How about everyone has a spirit and their life on earth determines how they come back for another round. I'll choose this over nihilism every single day. At least with this world view it means people should behave in a good way or face a poor reincarnation. It means it is beneficial for a "nice" society. However, the idea of going around and around without ever remembering is kind of a bummer. I mean what happens in the distant future if souls are forever and the world isn't? How do people get reincarnated if the natural order falls away?
As for the idea that our spirits live on after death in a different state? Well that would mean ghosts and hauntings exist. It means that our spirits live on in a different plane or different way. Sure its comforting to know that there is more than just today but then what? I get to live a disembodied existence? I don't really want to be tied to this world if I can't interact with it. Also if I can't interact with it why would there be a shrine to the ancestors. I'll pass on that one also.
I actually find great comfort in the idea of judgement. When I see people who lie, cheat, steal and do horrible things? It is nice to know that in the end the balances will be made even. Why do I like the idea of final judgement...It means that spirits don't roam the earth and that ghosts, poltergeists and the like do not exist...so I never have to fear haunted houses. Unfortunately as a Christian I do believe in angels and demons and a supernatural world...so could hauntings exist? Sure, but more of a demon invading rather than grandpa hanging around. Luckily Christians believe that our God has ultimate power over the forces of darkness so again...no fear from the supernatural world.
Again it is only my opinion but I am pretty sure that I'll either be right in my beliefs or wrong in my beliefs.
If I'm right and there is judgement coming and there is right and wrong. Well, I'll be happy I chose the right path when judgement comes.
But what if I'm wrong?
Well, if in the end there is nothing other than oblivion? I'm still glad I chose to hold onto a wrong belief because it means I can be happy right up until my final day and never have to fear the reaper.
What if Karma exists and I come back depending on my deeds?
Well, its nice to know that I always strove my best to promote doing what was right. Maybe that will count for something if I come back.
In the end?
I'm just following the path that makes sense to me and every other person will have to find their own path. I just find that the path I've chosen lets me sleep better at night and gives me a sense of direction...even if it may be misguided...although the longer I follow it the more "right" it feels and the more I believe it to be true.
Of course if you have other ideas I'd love to hear them. I just ask for a respectful discussion rather than getting flamed. After all this was just my take on a Hive Learners post on "Do I believe in reincarnation" and the answer would be...NOPE.
