>The above is not the traditional Christian, (e.g. Biblical), interpretation that has been taught for centurys. Under Christianity God has revealed himself in at least three forms, The Father, The son (e.g. Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit (e.g. God in his native state). Although we talk of God in a reference to one of three state, they are all really one and the same. Since Jesus was so possessed or used by God, his teachings can be though of as coming directly from God.
>
>When Jesus was teaching about God's Kingdom, he was asked "how does one get to the Kingdom of God?". All of this is paraphrased. Jesus answered "you cannot enter the kingdom of God until you are born again." No one understood this and they asked how one could reenter their mother’s womb and be reborn. Jesus (e.g. God) replied that it would be necessary to be born again of the spirit before anyone can enter the kingdom of God.
>
>The traditional teaching is that one is reborn when he accepts Jesus Christ as the son of God, repents of his sin and commits to the Christian way of life (e.g. the born again Christian). I don't think this is what Jesus (e.g. God) was saying. I think he was talking about a spiritual rebirth, (e.g. a new existents in a form of pure structure energy), when we die much like what people who have died for a short time and been resuscitated has experienced. (e.g. out of body, travel through a tunnel towards a light, a judgment, and finally a union with God (in the form of the Holly Spirit or Holly Ghost).

Perhaps it is both, in a sense. That is, the purpose of Jesus Christ, when coming to Earth, was to educate mankind - and this is only possible when people accept Him. On the other hand, we - you and I - also believe in some sort of life after Death (1). But what Jesus may have meant is that we must acquire spiritual qualities - which will be of benefit both in this world and in the next world.

>My interpretation has caused me no end of grief, because it put me at odds with the traditional teachings.

Yes, I can imagine that.


(1) The teachings of the Bahá'í Faith state that life after death is far different from life here - so much so, that we can't imagine it while being here - just like a baby in its mother's womb can't have a clear idea of the life that expects him after birth.