THEOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY CARDIFF LODGE
Argument For Reincarnation
by William Q.
Judge
It has been suggested to the
PATH that theosophists jot down as they occur
any arguments hit upon to support the doctrine of reincarnation.
One
furnishes this: That the
persistency of individual character and attitude of mind seems a strong
argument; and adduces the fact that when he was a youth thirty years ago he
wrote a letter to himself upon questions about God, nature, and the inner man,
and finds now upon re-reading it that it almost exactly expresses his present
attitude. Also he thinks that the inner character of each shows itself in early
youth, persisting through life; and as each character is different there must
have been reincarnation to account for the differences. And that the assertion
that differences in character are due to heredity seems to be disposed of by
the persistency of essential character, even if, as we know to be the case,
scientists did not begin to deny the sufficiency of heredity to account for our
differences.
Another writes: If heredity
would account for that which, existing in our life, makes us feel that we have
lived here before, then the breeding of dogs and horses would show similar
great differences as are observed in men. But a high-bred slut will bring forth
a litter of pups by a father of equal breed, all exhibiting one character,
whereas in the very highest bred families among men it is well known that the
children will differ from each other so much that we cannot rely upon the
result. Then again, considering the objections raised
on ground of heredity, it should not be forgotten that but small attention has
been paid to those cases where heredity will not give the explanation.
Inherent
differences of character.
The great differences in capacity seem to call for reincarnation as the
explanation. Notice that the savages have the same brains and bodies as ours,
yet not the same character or intelligence; they seem to be unprogressed egos who are unable to make the machine of brain to respond to
its highest limit.
W Q Judge
First published August. 1891
THEOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY