The case for an afterlife is very simple.

[Jon]

In an infinite and real universe, the probability of our consciousness being born again is very likely -- over and over again. Matter and energy will inevitably congregate into what we call our perception, whether it be through the human birthing process, another specie's reproduction or another process altogether.

Reincarnation is not a silly concept at all.

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[ribuck]

Matter and energy will inevitably congregate into what we call our perception

Why would you expect matter and energy to congregate into "our" perception, instead of into new perceptions belonging to the new configurations of matter and energy?

[Jon]

Matter and energy will inevitably congregate into what we call our perception

Why would you expect matter and energy to congregate into "our" perception, instead of into new perceptions belonging to the new configurations of matter and energy?

Because we exist. I assume our individual existence is quantifiable and thus reproducible.

[matthewh3]

If the Universe and time were infinite (and there not) there would be a very probable chance of other versions identical to you existing but it wouldn't be reincarnation just the effects of "chance".

[Jon]

If the Universe and time were infinite (and there not) there would be a very probable chance of other versions identical to you existing but it wouldn't be reincarnation just the effects of "chance".

I don't see why it couldn't be reincarnation.

What universal law condemns an immortal --but sporadically hibernating-- perception?

Additionally, what case calls for a finite universe that spawns from nothing?

[matthewh3]

If the Universe and time were infinite (and there not) there would be a very probable chance of other versions identical to you existing but it wouldn't be reincarnation just the effects of "chance".

Additionally, what case calls for a finite universe that spawns from nothing?

There probably was mass before the big bang but probably not the dimension of time or the other three dimensions of space.

[benjamindees]

So do you remember past lives then?

[99Percent]

With infinite time (which must be because time cannot be "started") all possibilities will happen, including countless versions of yourself. But your current conciousness is unique because its a reflection of the current possible reality only.

Reincarnation is only possible if there were a way to preserve memory after death. Currently its not possible, much like bitcoins lost if their private keys are lost.

[Jon]

If a person has amnesia, they do not die. They still act within their perception. They still live. They still exist.

If your ability to remember is all you value in life, then let that be life.

To me, the perception alone is what I value.

[matthewh3]

With infinite time (which must be because time cannot be "started") all possibilities will happen, including countless versions of yourself. But your current conciousness is unique because its a reflection of the current possible reality only.

Reincarnation is only possible if there were a way to preserve memory after death. Currently its not possible, much like bitcoins lost if their private keys are lost.

Time is just a dimension just like the three dimensions of space they probably didn't exist before the big-bang and in the nanoseconds after the big-bang there was probably more dimensions created then the four we know of time and space but probably only existed briefly then collapsed to only have any effects at quantum levels which explains the strange effects of quantum theory. 

[Jon]

Isn't the movement of energy and matter time alone?

How can anything change without time?

[matthewh3]

The effects of time can be changed as you approach the speed of light so time travel is possible forward in time but not back in time before the time of the creation of the first time-machine (time-machine = wormhole or area of warped space-time - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_travel#Tourism_in_time ) but for my two-satoshi worth I reckon the creation of time-travel will be the creation of the next big-bang.

[dayfall]

With infinite time (which must be because time cannot be "started") all possibilities will happen, including countless versions of yourself. But your current conciousness is unique because its a reflection of the current possible reality only.

Reincarnation is only possible if there were a way to preserve memory after death. Currently its not possible, much like bitcoins lost if their private keys are lost.

I don't know what Atlas argued because I have him blocked, but I bet he makes an equivocation fallacy.  That is, he doesn't mean reincarnation to mean what everyone else thinks it means.

The entire problem with reincarnation is what makes a thing "You".  Does the loss of memory make "you" not you anymore?  If I copy my memory into a clone then is that thing me?   Every time I have heard of someone explaining (justifying) reincarnation they either argue that our memories are carried over from past lives (why not future?) or they argue our "energy" forms into a new person or animal (why not a rock?).  

I don't believe it is certain that all possibilities will happen.  (I also don't see how that is relevant.)

How do you know your consciousness is unique?  Are you assuming it is continuous through time but not space (or "realities")?  TO me, it is very odd to say something is unique when it isn't even a thing?  

[asdf]

the poignant question is: what is the "you" that will be reincarnated?

There is no separate self. Separate identity is an illusion; a mental fiction about an abstract entity called "I".

Every incarnation is the one; god experiencing itself.

[the joint]

Consciousness is infinite and distributes over reality.  When consciousness applies will (intention) to identify with some stratified condition, you have the cause of mind/body consciousness.

As long as this cause is still there, it will continue to manifest itself.

Removing the cause removes continual manifestation, but it does not remove consciousness.

[FirstAscent]

Or maybe Frank Tipler is on to something?

[Ean]

This is as deep as the Matrix trilogy.

[RodeoX]

Then there is the pesky problem of no evidence at all.

[the joint]

Then there is the pesky problem of no evidence at all.

More like self-evident.

[FreeMoney]

There are an infinite amount of natural numbers, but if you count properly you'll never pass a number twice.