Nightrain
Senior Registered
There are not only more quotes, but when one reads more about Ben Franklin and his society, his essential philosophy becomes apparent.Shiftkitty said:Is this the only evidence that Ben believed in reincarnation? It sounds to me like he's subscribing more to the belief of being reborn again in heaven.
in the letter that he wrote to Miss Hubbard on the occasion of the death of his brother"I look upon death to be as necessary to the constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning."
"Finding myself to exist in the world, I believe I shall, in some shape or other always exist."
"When I see nothing annihilated and not a drop of water wasted, I cannot suspect the annihilation of souls...I believe I shall, in some shape or other, always exist. I shall not object to a new edition of mine, hoping, however, that the errata of the last may be corrected."
Taken out of historical context, some have argued that Franklin's writings reflect a belief in resurrection. However, historians of the period have no doubt that what he was talking about really reflect his belief that we, as enlightened beings, come back repeatedly.Philadelphia, 23rd February, 1756.
I condole with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature that these mortals bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living . A man is not completely born until he be dead. Why, then, should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society?
We are spirits. That bodies should he lent us while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow-creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is pro- vided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves, in some cases, prudently choose a partial death. A mangled, painful limb which cannot be restored we willingly cut off. He who plucks out a tooth parts with it freely, since the pain goes with it; and he who quits the whole body parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pains and diseases which it was liable to or capable of making him suffer.
Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure which is to last forever. His chair was ready first and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together, and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow and know where to find him? Adieu,
B. FRANKLIN