Immortality

Question 1

Reincarnation

• Hindu/sikh belief about L.A.D
• Transmigration of soul
• Happens in Samsara
• Next life depends on quality of last
• The atman does not carry personal qualities to next life

Answer 1

Rebirth

• Buddhist belief on L.A.D
• movement of ones essence from this life to next
• Similar to idea of passing a flame from 1 candle to the next (same flame different candle)
• Happens in cycle of samsara until enlightenment

Question 2

Judea-Christian, muslim views

Judaism:

• Teaches spiritual resurrection
• Resurrected in sheol
• G-d Judges them and tells them how life could have been led
• No heaven/hell - final destination one of 7 levels of G-d, better life = closer to G-d

Answer 2

Christianity:

• Resurrection of the body
• New/immortal physical body
• Some believe dont get judged by G-d
• Others say we get judged on Judgement

Islam

• soul taken for questioning by Angel
• Good souls answer - Bad cannot
• Souls wait till judgement day - go to heaven/hell

Question 3

Belief,problem,solution

Resurrection - Problem: What form will body raised body from dead take
- solution: New immortal body given which looks the same

Rebirth - Problem: Continuity between 1 life and next > life hasnt ended
- Death of physical body only essence is reborn into new body

Answer 3

Reincarnation- Problem: How can a person survive death if they a new person
- Immortal soul continues > continuity between 1 life and the next

Question 4

Evidence of immortality in scriptures

Buddhism: Triptaka says: must follow dhama
to reach enlightenment. Effects of good/bad life on the next one
Judaism: Torah/Talmud: references G-d raising dead from shoel, no clear picture, diff interps
Christianity: Eternal life with G-d starts with acceptance of faith
Hinduism: Many sacred texts - 4 vedas helps reach moksha

Answer 4

Islam: Believe Qu’ran is direct word of allah, whats said is exactly what happens - will be resurrection and judgement by Allah
Sikhism: GGS - Teaches what must be done to break cycle of reincarnation

Problems: -Only people of that religion accept evidence as true, different accounts dont agree so can’t all be right. Teachings conflict with modern science/Knowledge

Question 5

Evidence of Immortality - Ghosts and N.D.E

N.D.E can prove life after death because many people have reported seeing dead relatives or seeing the light which people have said is G-d

Answer 5

Common features: - Each unique but common is: Intense emotion (peace and happiness), Out of body experience, movement thru tunnel (towards white light),
Encounters with dead relatives, review of life

Problems: - Person experiencing isnt dead
- Oxygen starvation proven to cause hallucinations

Question 6

Immortality - lack of proof

3 arguments against:

Bodies decay/burned - Bodies not everlasting, physical form doesn’t survive death, no proof of a new spiritual body, no proof of immortal soul leaving body

Answer 6

Scriptures and accounts differ:

• Different understanding of what life after death is like
• Therefore cannot be accepted as proof

Wishful thinking:

• All evidence offered no more than W.T
• So eager to support/believe religion that anything is believed no matter how weak
• people fear death so L.A.D = comfort to living

Question 7

Criticisms from science + athiesm

Evolution: Scientific belief that life forms have changed over time developing from simple to complex creatures

Atheists/scientists: Richard dawkins rejects concept of an immortal soul - Each human = product of evolution

Answer 7

Cryogenics - Low temp preservation of humans who can no longer be kept alive be current medicine - resuscitated when cure is found

Space Exploration - No evidence seen of souls reaching heaven or becoming 1 with universe