Originally posted by sonhouse
Why is it religiously ok to eat meat 10,000 years ago but not today? If what you say is true, there will be few people who would reincarnate upwards and most would repeat same ole same ole if I have it correct from you.
Another thing: Cells are living things, no? So a cell taken out of the body will live for some time. Doesn't that mean that cell also has a soul?
It has never been religiously ok to eat meat, but in the Vedas there is a concession for those that will eat meat no matter what.....and they are required to perform all soughts of rituals too purify the activity.
Concession is not the same as condone.
Persons who take advantage of this concession where not classified as elevated, but were classified as low class.
True there are not many persons returning back to Godhead especially in this age of Kali on this planet, but remember there are unlimited universes and unlimited planets, so if you had the greater perspective then there would be a greater number returning back to Godhead than imagined.
Seven billion humans in the scope of all the human life in existence throughout the entire material cosmos is very small, and on this planet most persons are just reborn as you say......but sooner than later this age of Kali will be over and the cycle shall begin again and the new age of Satya Yuga will commence and this will be accompanied by a strong spiritual resurgence, and then many shall come to the proper platform to return home.
If someone is living there present life in the spiritual way, but are not quiet ready to return home, they dont necessarily return to this earth but may take birth again in a better situation on another planet in another universe, where spiritual society is flourishing.
About your question on cells,.....well the answer evades me for the moment and I will have to do some referencing when I get the chance, to be clear on that situation.