Mormons

Many today are turning their attention to practitioners who promise to "regress them to their past lives" and deal with lingering trauma from a past life or lives. Scientologists emphasize this practice, but now many non-religious practitioners are engaged in this activity also.

It all boils down to a basic belief in reincarnation. This is the basically Hindu teaching that when you die, your soul is reborn in another human. In other words, you recycle after death--no heaven or hell--just go around again!

Transmigration is the related teaching that you recycle in other life forms, such as animals, insects, etc. Reincarnation limits the recycling to humans. Belief in reincarnation is found in astrology, psychic groups, rebirthing sessions, and parapsychology practices. Other groups teaching reincarnation include the Unity School of Christianity, Hare Krishna, Rosicrucianism, Urantia, Edgar Cayce (Association for Research and Enlightenment), Theosophy, etc. etc.

Hypnotism plays a large part in these so-called regressions to a former life. Admittedly, some have been "regressed" and have given correct details of a "former life". Is this practice for Christians? No, for hypnotism, which involves an emptying of the mind is not for Christians. Christians are to have their minds filled with the things of God. Also, a knowledge of the Bible would prevent Christians from being drawn into these wrong practices. Consider Hebrews 927 as an example.

"It is appointed unto men to die ONCE, and then the judgment."

Obviously, we do not go "round and round" but face judgment after one death.

Belief in reincarnation also causes a person to turn aside from the biblical truth of ONE TRUE ETERNAL GOD THE CREATOR, to the concept of the Hindu God as a "Universal Soul" or a "Universal Force". Reincarnation teaches that souls exist as an extension of this "Universal Soul" and are constantly being purified and absorbed.

This theory collides head-on with logic. Why then is the world's population increasing, if the same number of souls are going round and round? Also, the birth rate exceeds the death rate, so where are these supposedly newly reincarnated souls coming from? Also, shouldn't we see some evidence of our natures improving after so much purifying?India is a perfect example of the "fruits" of reincarnation. Jesus taught us to judge by "fruits". Many persons in India, born into squalor, never attempt to better themselves, but "sit in it" waiting to go around again. They blame their present lot on past lives.

Christian missionaries, on the other hand, work tirelessly to feed, clothe, and educate such unfortunate ones. They show the love of Jesus in their lives.

THE CHRISTIAN EXPLANATION FOR "REGRESSING"

Since we die once, and then the judgment, (Heb. 927), how would a Christian explain seemingly genuine cases of regression? Christians are aware of the existence of demons, and these demon powers have existed for a long time and know history, dates etc. When a person empties his mind and allows for the entry of these demon spirits under conditions such as hypnotism, he is set up for a "regression" experience.

With the entry of these deceiving spirits, the person can then be manipulated and deceived.

"But the (Holy) Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons." (2 Timothy 41).

Reincarnation advocates have attempted to twist various isolated scriptures to their viewpoint. A careful reading of surrounding scriptures in context always corrects these attempts to misrepresent God's word.

2 Corinthians 58 says,

"We are of good courage I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

Yes, Christians believe the RESURRECTION, not reincarnation. Write to us if we can help you further.