# 3-Year-Old Boy Remembers Being Murdered In Past Life And Leads Adults To Proof **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 21, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964 "2014-05-21T21:51:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/41 "2014-05-22T16:32:00Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > When do they decline into the irrational morons that populate our workplaces? As far as I can tell, it happens right around puberty. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/42 "2014-05-22T16:42:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The best thing _ever_ is to tell a three-year-old something completely outrageous and wrong with a totally straight face. You can see by their expression that what you’re telling them sounds completely wrong but this is their beloved Uncle Dewey Finn telling them this; it must be correct. Even better if you can get them to repeat whatever you’ve told them to their parents or grandparents. Oh man, my aunt did that to me. She’s my youngest aunt and was about 23-24 when I was around 4. But I didn’t know she was 23-24 because on her most recent birthday, I had asked how old she was and found out she was _82 years old_!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: I remember that EXACT internal conflict you described, but eventually believed her because duuh, she’s my AUNT. I finally figured it out on my grandma’s birthday (just a couple of days after mine) when I asked my mom how old Grandma was now and she said “64.” I had this slow-motion, “heeeeeyyyy, wait a minute!” epiphany that Susie couldn’t be OLDER than her MOM! Then I was indignant that mom found this discovery funny! :mad: Heee. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/43 "2014-05-22T16:55:59Z")
As I said, you can see that internal conflict on their face, which is the funniest bit. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/44 "2014-05-22T17:44:57Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > [Druze.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druze) They’re a religion/ethnic group native to Lebanon, Syria and Israel. Interesting. I was aware of the Druze but didn’t know they believed in reincarnation. ---
**Author:** ![Dustin\_the\_Wind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f1d935/32.png) [@Dustin\_the\_Wind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dustin_the_Wind)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/45 "2014-05-22T18:46:07Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > And exactly how well can 3-year-olds communicate, reason, and lead people? > > A question to those of you who have recently lived with a 3-year-old: can you imagine this person saying “Respected elder, I am now having memories from my previous incarnation. The memories are of a man killing my former self in another village. Come follow me and I will lead you to this man”? > > Am I underestimating the cognitive abilities of 3-year-olds? This is exactly what I was thinking. I have a 3-year-old, very intelligent granddaughter, and I couldn’t imagine her doing this. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/46 "2014-05-22T18:52:00Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Turning white is common proof of guilt in most jurisdictions. We Minnesotans are horribly guilty folks. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/47 "2014-05-22T20:16:47Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Interesting. I was aware of the Druze but didn’t know they believed in reincarnation. Apparently, not many people know what the Druze actually believe. Heck, even the majority of Druze don’t know. 😃 Keeping their beliefs secret is a fundamental part of their religion. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/48 "2014-05-22T21:05:16Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The best thing _ever_ is to tell a three-year-old something completely outrageous and wrong with a totally straight face. You can see by their expression that what you’re telling them sounds completely wrong but this is their beloved Uncle Dewey Finn telling them this; it must be correct. Even better if you can get them to repeat whatever you’ve told them to their parents or grandparents. You’re Calvin’s dad from Calvin and Hobbes, right? (I used to do this to my dad, when I was 12. I convinced him that Penguins were named from Admiral Carl George Stanley Penguin, an early Antarctic explorer.) ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/49 "2014-05-22T21:26:58Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > You’re Calvin’s dad from Calvin and Hobbes, right? > > (I used to do this to my dad, when I was 12. I convinced him that Penguins were named from Admiral Carl George Stanley Penguin, an early Antarctic explorer.) He was being very nice to you. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/50 "2014-05-22T21:33:44Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > The best thing _ever_ is to tell a three-year-old something completely outrageous and wrong with a totally straight face. You can see by their expression that what you’re telling them sounds completely wrong but this is their beloved Uncle Dewey Finn telling them this; it must be correct. Even better if you can get them to repeat whatever you’ve told them to their parents or grandparents. > > You’re Calvin’s dad from Calvin and Hobbes, right? > > (I used to do this to my dad, when I was 12. I convinced him that Penguins were named from Admiral Carl George Stanley Penguin, an early Antarctic explorer.) I assume you remember the strip from Calvin and Hobbes in which Calvin’s dad explained that the world was in black and white until recently and that explains the existence of B&W movies. Watterson was such a master that he was able to portray the look of internal conflict on Calvin’s face, even in one frame. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/51 "2014-05-23T01:26:41Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > So it was Michael Jackson? 6.1 ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/52 "2014-05-23T01:28:31Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > I never really believed in reincarnation, but this is one odd story that in my humble opinion sounds true: [http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-past-life-and-leads-adults-proof](http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-past-life-and-leads-adults-proof) Once I hit the word “villager” I stopped reading. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/53 "2014-05-23T09:27:44Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > Apparently, not many people know what the Druze actually believe. Heck, even the majority of Druze don’t know. 😃 > > Keeping their beliefs secret is a fundamental part of their religion. That’s true - I’ve known plenty of Druze, and not once have any of them brought up their religious beliefs. It’s just not something they talk about. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/54 "2014-05-23T12:19:08Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Turning white is common proof of guilt in most jurisdictions. Hey, I’d turn white if an unknown preschooler accused me of murder. That’s some creepy horror movie stuff there. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/55 "2014-05-23T12:53:34Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Go ahead make fun of an old man on dial up … still it would make a good movie, “Kid gets even with Murderer” We’re not making fun of you. We’re trying to help you. Critical thinking is not easy, but it’s something that can and does help you on a day-to-day basis. If you’re far too credulous of claims like this, couldn’t that make you a target for scammers? We’re trying to help you understand that you really need to tweak your “bullshit filter”. Because you do. If you find this story credible, then you are not nearly as skeptical as you ought to be. Or, in a less friendly manner: “If you believe this, I’ve got a bridge to sell you!” ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/56 "2014-05-23T13:59:38Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > That’s true - I’ve known plenty of Druze, and not once have any of them brought up their religious beliefs. It’s just not something they talk about. Perversely, that just makes me all the more curious - though it would probably just bore me stiff if they did tell. 😃 According to wikipedia at least, Druze society is split beyween a secular majority and a religious minority, and only the latter knows all their beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/57 "2014-05-23T16:16:02Z")
Whenever the words “allegedly” and “reportedly” appear a lot in an article, you’re venturing into make-believe territory. Those words mean that the content hasn’t been verified. ---
**Author:** ![skeptik2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@skeptik2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skeptik2)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/58 "2014-05-23T19:22:20Z")
I think the timing of this story is very interesting…but although I don’t believe in reincarnation, there are many who do. Like others have said; why weren’t there names mentioned, actors come in all ages - this child could have been trained to tell the story, since there is no video that tells the story as first brought to someone’s attention - it’s unbelievable now that it would be his words, or actions. I have never heard of reincarnation happening so quickly after death - only 4 years, that’s a little questionable. The description of the ‘murderer’ turning white, doesn’t prove that the child said this, or even that it was truth - as in the ‘child actor’ playing a role of a reincarnated child, the ‘murderer’ turning white could be a great description for a novel. AS a skeptic…I’d need way more proof of this story. Way too much garbage, lies and made up stories on the internet. BUT…it’s on Facebook, so must be true! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/59 "2014-05-23T19:47:42Z")
> [@sugaree](#): > > Hey, I’d turn white if an unknown preschooler accused me of murder. That’s some creepy horror movie stuff there. Yes, exactly. Some toddler picks you out (maybe at random, maybe because you have a funny nose), points at you and says “da da boom boom” and now all of the superstitious dolts you live with will brand you a murderer. The irony is that the last time somebody brought a toddler into town that pointed at a random resident, you were one of the dolts who helped string him up. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964/60 "2014-05-23T23:53:41Z")
> [@skeptik2](#): > > I think the timing of this story is very interesting…but although I don’t believe in reincarnation, there are many who do. (snip )I have never heard of reincarnation happening so quickly after death - only 4 years, that’s a little questionable. (snip)…I’d need way more proof of this story. Way too much garbage, lies and made up stories on the internet. BUT…it’s on Facebook, so must be true! :smack: my cuts. You don’t need to play coy; you believe in reincarnation or there is absolutely no reason for the “only 4 years.” This old thing of “I don’t believe in (whatever strange thing), but I’m just asking” or “others do” and then presenting it like you do isn’t terribly clever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-year-old-boy-remembers-being-murdered-in-past-life-and-leads-adults-to-proof/688964.md?page=4)