REINCARNATION

There is a wonderful eastern religion; an off-shoot of Hinduism, which teaches that a person must live as many lives as it takes in order to earn their place in heaven.

It is taught that when a person dies, their spirits are immediately sent to a place near heaven where a representative of the Creator meets them.

The first thing that happens when they arrive, is that they automatically remember all their past lives, whether it was just one or dozens.

They then discuss with their representative where they stand in their effort to get into heaven.
The representative may say something to the effect: "Well Chin, this ends your fourth visit to the planet earth. Let's see how you measure up to the high standards set by our Creator."

"In your first life as a farmer, you learned humility and you mastered patience."

"In your second life as a politician, you learned nothing. In fact, you embraced greed, lust and avarice, and lost points for your third return to earth."

"In your third life as a house wife, you learned to be meek and gentle, and you added to your points by helping others to improve their lives."

"This fourth life you just completed was a really good one. You were a teacher and a philosopher and you learned to be charitable, learned forgiveness and a little about excess pride."

Unfortunately Chin, you still have quite a way to go before you fully qualify for entrance into heaven. But don't lose heart, many people have lived hundreds of lives, like that Hitler person who went back as a toad, and they're still further away from heaven than you are."

Very thoughtful, yet somewhat disappointed, Chin replied; "What are my options this trip sir?"

"Since you only have one bad life against you and you made vast improvements in the last one, you may chose an easier life for your next one. If you want wealth, fame, or power it will be granted. But don't forget Chin, once you are reborn into your new life on earth, you will remember nothing of your previous lives."

"You better check on that sir," Chin replied. "During my last life I heard of a little girl in a village not too far from mine who remembered being a father with several children in her previous life. She even pointed out her wife and children to those who didn't believe her and told them things only the father would have known. Also, there was an American General, I think his name was Patton, who remembered previous lives and battles."

"We do have mess-ups occasionally Chin, but not very often. I remember the General you mentioned, he's back for his 14th trip, he can't seem to get war out of his system. I will check into it."

"Sir, I think I would like to try life on another continent, perhaps North America for this next life."

"You'll find it very risky Chin," the representative replied. "Their beliefs are far different than yours and their political and social systems are difficult to understand."

"You speak truth sir, but they have one big advantage over us and I would like to have a chance at that advantage."

"And what is that Chin?"

"There are a lot of Christians there sir and if they live a good moral and clean life they only have to live on the earth one time. I want to increase my chances of getting into heaven on this next trip by becoming a Christian."

The representative smiled and replied, "Sure Chin, but don't forget, if you turn out to be a bad Christian, you may not wind up in heaven - at all...!