I recently found that when I Googled “theories about the afterlife,” five theories were listed. The first three were:
Reincarnation
The idea that a person is reborn into a new life after death. In some religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, reincarnation is based on the belief that a person’s soul is eternal and that their karma determines their status in the afterlife.
Immortality
The idea that the soul is immortal and survives physical death. Socrates believed that the soul survives death and returns as a new life. [My note: This theory covers the Heaven of Western religions.]
The natural afterlife
The idea that the final moments of a near-death experience become timeless and everlasting after death.
This recognition is great news because as knowledge of the natural afterlife becomes more widespread, the better the world will be. Here are some fantastic aspects of the more general theory of a natural eternal consciousness (NEC), or NEC theory, which makes possible the natural afterlife:
- It will drive more people to religion. Why? It crushes a belief in nonexistence after death and raises the potential for accountability.
- It reveals a science-based heaven of utmost happiness for which people can hope and strive.
- However, it does not conflict with one’s belief in a supernatural, perhaps faith-based afterlife. If such arises at or sometime after death, it will replace the natural afterlife.
- It will help people treat each other better.
- It will reduce tragic suicides and mass shootings (see https://bryonehlmann.com/how-to-reduce-suicides-and-mass…/).
References (four articles and the Prologue to an all-encompassing book)
K. Alvin Marie Publishing