Larni writes:
So, my question is: does religion get a 'free pass' and is it ok to give religion a free pass when it makes such extraordinary claims e.g. that we can reincarnate?
I think extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Many religions expect and get a free pass from their advocates. However that is not the case with Biblical fundamentalism which corroborates the Biblical record with actual archaeological, prophetical fulfillment, sociological, historical and other observational evidence such as complex design.
The Book of Mormon/Mormonism, the Koran/Islam, Zen Buddism, RC Hierarchal Vaticanism, Shintoism, Hinduism etc are some examples coming to mind which expect and get a free pass from their adherents.
It is true, however, that as with other hypotheses and theory, non-empirical and debatable aspects of Biblical fundamentalism exist.
BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW.
The immeasurable present eternally extends the infinite past and infinitely consumes the eternal future.