The word “Swedenborgian” has always made me giggle because it reminds me of the word “Borg”, you know, as in the cyborgs from Star Trek. But alas, the Swedenborg movement is much more than just a memory jog to a nerdy television series, it’s an open-minded and forward thinking Christian church with beliefs based on the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772). The odd bit about this movement is that it is very much against reincarnationist ideas. Swedenborg’s view is an interesting one and worth investigating – he claimed that “one reason people believe in reincarnation is that they have no clear idea of the life of the spirit after death,” and he himself claimed to have had extensive spiritual experiences that back-up his teachings. Read about the Swedenborgian view of reincarnation here.

(Oh, and The Swedenborg church here in San Francisco happens to be one of the most peaceful and gorgeous spots in town.)

swedenborg church interior

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