Expert: Edward Bode - 12/7/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello Edward!

What is your own point of view on reincarnation, and what does the Church say about it?

Thank You

ANSWER: My position is the same as that of the Church:  reincarnation is the antithesis of Chritianity.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states [paragraph 1013]: Death is the end of man's earthly pilgrimage, of the time of grace and mercy which God offers man so as to work out his earthly life in keeping with the divine plan, and to decide his ultimate destiny.  When "the single course of our earthly life" [Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 48, 3] is completed, we shall not return to other earthly lives:  "It is appointed for men to die once" [Heb 9:27].  There is no reincarnation after death.
The catechism is available online at: www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
If you would like more, let me know.
Best wishes again, Luke.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi. Thanks for the fast reply.
So in other words reincarnation is stupid.
If you were to try and persuade a Buddhist that reincarnation is wrong, would you tell him the same thing?
Thanks

ANSWER: I do not know how to persuade a non-Christian concerning the truths of Christian revelation.  
Possibly, I would begin by explaining the Christian view of human existence and destiny.  God creates for each human an immortal life-principle [soul] to which God wants to impart an eternity of perfect happiness [heaven].  However, humans must respond to God's teaching [belief and action]during this life with His help [grace]-- this life is the one and only time to complete one's destiny.
I believe such a vision of human existence runs counter to many tenets of Buddhism.  We do not agree.
Hope these thoughts are of some help to you.
Again, best wishes, Luke.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello. Thanks again for your answer.
In the first reply you mentioned the Catehism. But who wrote the Catehism,if people did it, how do they know that there is no such a thing as reincarnation? In the same way any Buiddhist may quote any line from the book he/she believes is true and try to persuade me that it's right to believe in reincarnation. Is there anything in the New Testament, any words uttered by Jesus Christ that might testify against reincarnation? I think this would be the best argument in the hands of a Christian, because Jesus said so, and not because some bishops at some meeting decided that this is true and that is false.
I know also that Buddhists do not believe in God. Does it mean they are already destined to hell and there is no help for them? This would be pretty cruel for me cause I believe that many of them are really good people trying to achieve enligtenment in this life. They are, very often,helpful and kind people. What are your thoughts on this?
Thank You again

Answer
The [official]Catechism, published by the Vatican in 1997 is a compendium of Catholic teaching based on scripture, tradition, and the official teachings of the church.
Catholic teaching does not rely on scripture alone.  Reincarnation was not a topic of interest in the time and place of Jesus.  So, it is not surprising that we find no explicit reference to that Buddhist belief.  However, from what Jesus said, we conclude that reincarnation is alien to Christian thought as I explained in my previous answer.
God wants everyone to be saved -- see 1 Tim 2:3-4.  God does not in advance condemn anyone to hell. I do not think that our human minds can grasp how salvation works out in particular cases.  We leave that decision to God in His infinite wisdom and goodness.  We pray for the salvation of all people.  We also offer guidance and instruction to those seeking religious answers.  We explain our truths in a way that others can understand.
Again, I refer you the Catechism online -- check paragraphs 851, 1257-1261; also check the index for many references to "Salvation."
Also, you could find at a library the documents of Vatican II Council, which issued a declaration on The Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions; it mentions Buddhism, Islam and others.
Hope these thoughts are of help.  If not, let me know.
Best wishes, Luke.