[Thascales]

Originally Posted by jerhanner

It's the only thing that makes sense. After your body rots away, that electrical charge that powered you has to go somewhere - and as we know, energy can't disappear - it just changes form.

I might argue that it discharges itself through heat, but I'm not a biologist, so far be it me to talk.

[horatio]

Originally Posted by jerhanner

Reincarnation doesn't have punishment! You're simply, in effect, going back to class to try and learn a lesson.

Right, no punishment, you get a second chance. But like hell it gives people who believe in it an incentive to behave well, doesn't it?

[MrQ1701]

Originally Posted by cjopbj

Religion should be about how we live, not what happens after we die.

While I agree with this statement on it's surface, I find I must add to it. What better way to influence a person's behavior during life than to state his/her actions will effect his/her eternal soul's "life"?

[jerhanner]

Originally Posted by horatio

Right, no punishment, you get a second chance. But like hell it gives people who believe in it an incentive to behave well, doesn't it?

Not so much to behave well, but to lead a good life.

[horatio]

Originally Posted by jerhanner

Not so much to behave well, but to lead a good life.

Thanks, I think the difference between the hell&heaven thing and reincarnation in this respect is a bit clearer to me now.

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by Vincent Cain

^^QFT.

Thanks...

Again Mr. Lennon sums it all up for us.

artist: John Lennon lyrics
title: Imagine
albums: Imagine, Shaved Fish, Live In New York City, Imagine (Original Soundtrack), Anthology - Ascot (CD1)

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one...

[jerhanner]

The secret is to get people to behave that way without having to scare them into it with threats of fire and brimstone...

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by jerhanner

The secret is to get people to behave that way without having to scare them into it with threats of fire and brimstone...

"Zardoz speaks to you...his choosen ones..."LOL

[cjopbj]

Originally Posted by MrQ1701

While I agree with this statement on it's surface, I find I must add to it. What better way to influence a person's behavior during life than to state his/her actions will effect his/her eternal soul's "life"?

The trouble with that is that once you stop beliveing in an afterlife, you no longer feel any obligation towards obeying societies morals. It's like when the kid finds out there is no Santa. Why go to bed early on Christmas Eve?

That is why so many people raised in strick religious homes go so wild as teens and young adults. There is no cause and effect in threats of punishment in an afterlife. The reason teens shouldn't sleep around, for instance, isn't because they will go to hell. It is because they may contract a disease, get pregnant, become a victim of abuse, etc. It the what will happen to them during their life, not after death.

Personally, I don't believe in heaven or hell. Yet I am able to stay faithful to my husband, pay my taxes, and raise a moral child.

[Botany Bay]

Originally Posted by cjopbj

Personally, I don't believe in heaven or hell. Yet I am able to stay faithful to my husband, pay my taxes, and raise a moral child.

That reminds me of a great satire from Eward Current, a channel on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkCuc...e=channel_page