View source

<!--  via Wikipedia: Born again
    
      last updated: 2004-02-16T02:13:56Z
      updated by: Fire Star
      update comment: Added reincarnation conjecture.
      
//-->

'''''Born again''''' is a common term in contemporary religious dialogue, referring to a ''transcending personal experience''&mdash;or the experience of ''being spiritually reborn'' as a "new" human being. In [[psychological]] terms, being "born-again" is perhaps analogous to a perceptual state of ''hyper-[[salience]]''; where one experiences a extreme and jarring change of perceptions, causing a re-awakened and renewed sense and understanding of oneself and their relationship to the world/universe.

==Christian concepts==
To be '''born again''' in [[Christianity]] is synonymous with [[spirituality|spiritual]] [[rebirth]] and, in many denominational traditions, [[salvation]]. The term is used somewhat differently in different Christian traditions.

The Christian use of the term is derived from the third chapter of the [[Gospel of John]], where [[Nicodemus]] asks [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]] what he must do to be saved:

:''Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."''
:''Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again."''
:''Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit."''

::-John 3:1-5 (New Revised Standard Version)

''Note that some translators consider "born from above" to be a better translation than "born again"''

Most Christian denominations would agree that a true Christian must be ''born again'', based on the above passage, and thus that those who are true Christians are in fact born again, whether they describe themselves as such or not. The [[Roman Catholic]] church, for example, considers that "[[Baptism]] is ... the sacrament by which we are born again of water and the Holy Ghost" [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm#III]. However the term is most frequently used by [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] [[Protestant]]s, where it is often associated with an intense ''conversion experience'' and an encounter of the individual with the power of God. Some would deny that those without such an experience are true Christians, based again on the above passage. It is common to find that Christians who describe themselves as ''born again'' consider those who do not to be counterfeit. 

The idea of ''born again'' carries with it the theological idea that a Christian is a ''new creation'', given a fresh start by the action of God, freed from a sinful past life and able to begin a ''new life'' in relationship with the Holy Spirit.

'''Born Again''' is also the title of a book by [[Charles W. Colson]], which describes his experience of becoming a ''born again'' Christian.

==General Usage==
Self-described ''born again'' Christians are often the most enthusiastic, devoted and outspoken, and hence the phrase has come to be used to describe any dedicated and enthusiastic supporter of a cause - e.g. born-again Conservative, born-again sports fan, born-again skeptic etc.

==Alternative Interpretation==

It can be argued that according to the logic of Jesus' statements it is possible to be ''born again'' without seeing the kingdom of God.

It should also be stated that there is disagreement among Cbristians as to what the 'born again' experience is. Some interpret it as baptism, others as 'praying the sinners prayer', others as a 'conversion experience', others as an intense spiritual experience, associated with the [[Holy Spirit]].

Almost all Christians associate the Kingdom of God with acceptance by God, and by implication with the removal and forgiveness of sins, which are seen as separating one from God. A minority might disagree with this.

In research into near death experiences, some people recall a passage along a tunnel towards a light. The apparent relation of this to the birth experience leads some researchers to consider that death is a kind of 'second birth', and therefore that we can be 'born again' at death.

Some propose a resonance between aspects of Christian "Born again" doctrine and some aspects of [[reincarnation]] theories known from [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]]. There are probably at least as many who don't see any relation, however.

==Famous Born-Again Christian Laypeople==
* See [[List of Born-again Christian Laypeople]]

==See also==
* [[baptism]]
* [[sin]]
* [[evangelism]]
* [[Holy Spirit]]

==External Links==
* [http://www.born-again-christian.info/christianity.htm Born Again Christian Info]

<!--  NOTE TO EDITORS: 
Per the GNU Free Documentation License, please include the live link below to the adapted Wikipedia article:
//-->

====References====
* Adapted from the [[Wikipedia]] article, "Born_again" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_again http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_again], used under the [[GNU Free Documentation License]]