There are always a lot of threads on the existence of life after death and many different opinions from different beliefs.
I want to initiate a discussion on the possibility of pre-existence of the human soul.
From a Christian perspective my question would be.
If creation was completed on the 6th day and most of us were born in the 1900’s it seems to imply that humans had a pre-existence before birth. There is a curious scripture in the Bible that seems to acknowledge this possibility.
In Jer 1;5 it states “Before you were formed in the body of your mother I had knowledge of you, and before your birth I made you holy; I have given you the work of being a prophet to the nations.
”
Are there any religions that address this concept other than reincarnation?
What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks Irish

I always thought that the soul always existed even way before birth. I don't know why, since I don't have anything to back that statement up. Interesting topic though

but of course the preborns (even preconcieved!!) have souls!!
that is an extremely deep belief to me. and one dearly held....

Well, some christian groups believe that after we die we just go to sleep and then wake up when Jesus returns at the Second Coming. With that in mind, it would seem likely that souls created on the sixth day would sleep until it was their turn to be born into the world.

Good point, I believe otherwise based on the following scripture, He was talking to the man on the cross beside Him.
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
He could have easily said 'someday you will be with me' but it specificly says today.

Irish

Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement." I have always understood God knowing us before we were formed in the womb as being described by his foreknowledge.

IMO i wouldnt catogrize it with reincarnation. from my understanding (which isnt much) god created us our souls before put into a bodliy formation which according to jer 1:5 is such..way would he not?he is the creator he created us with a mind body and soul and he knew what he created with each of us. not sure as an exsistence before hand..seems as with each that are born would be the frame of. good question but seems like if we was round at that time with god why would we be here today.i dont know just believe as we are created, we are put into a body..maybe..

According to few verses from Qur'an though the following information can be deducted: In part 15 verse 29, the creation of man involves Allah or an Angel of Allah "breathing" a soul into him. This intangible part of an individual's existence is "pure" at birth and has the potential of growing and achieving nearness to God if the person leads a righteous life. At death the person's soul transitions to an eternal afterlife of bliss, peace and unending spiritual growth (Qur’an 66:8, 39:20). This transition can be pleasant (Heaven) or unpleasant (Hell) depending on the degree to which a person has developed or destroyed his or her soul during life (Qur’an 91:7-10).

Generally, it is believed that all living beings are compromised of two aspects during their existence: The physical (being the body) and the non-physical (being the soul). The non-physical aspect, namely the soul, is one's soul-related activities like his/her feelings and emotions, thoughts, conscious and sub-conscious desires and objectives. While the body and its physical actions serve as a “reflection” of one’s soul, whether it was good or evil, and thus "confirms" the extent of such intentions [6]. For further clarification, another example can be found in the Quran where Allah says that Prophet Muhammad’s followers have their noble personalities and characteristics “written” and shown on their faces [7]

the above information is taken from wikipedia

There is only the Self which doesnt die for it is never born.



I just made that up and you know who I am.

That was actually pretty good. But I could swear I heard Master Po say that on an episoed of "Kung Fu".

Maybe, but 'if a man dwells on the past, then he robs the present.'

As a Christian I believe there are circumstances (without scriptural evidence) in cases such accidental death of a child or victims of murder, results of evil intent and direction. As well and this one ‘a touchy subject’ suicide as a result of drug interactions on mentality or being tormented and coerced into such action by evil people.
Perhaps even in some cases of accidental death or murder. God has allowed these things to happen and He also would have a means to remedy such happening by allowing a second chance on occasion.
Irish

Joking aside in this thread, If you have a world view, whether Christian or otherwise, in which you see yourself as a soul separate in itself and travelling along a path from A to B then you can't but help but wander into strange territory.

Alright, what if we assume the pre- existence of the soul? What does that say about at what point it enters the body? At conception? Birth? Sometime later? Certainly an interesting question.....

Hi Irish:

I've thought a lot about the concept of Reincarnation in the past, and in addition to what you posted, there is another often-overlooked part of the Bible which I think could prove the human soul's pre-existence:

(I'm paraphrasing)

One day Jesus and his disciples came upon a blind man and they asked Jesus if he was blind because of something he did in this life, or before he was born.

I thought this was amazing because I think it may prove the Laws of Karma and also Reincarnation. Tomorrow I will find in which Book of the Bible this passage is found, and I will post it.

What do you think about this, Irish?