Much of what I see in debates about rebirth is an underlying, yet often unnoticed debate, about what constitutes the view of "annihilationism" (ucchedavada).
In my mind, I already have a picture of what I consider the ucchedavada position to be, but I'd really like to open it up initially for debate amongst those who find themselves prone to participating in rebirth debates, either firmly on the 'for', 'against', 'ambivalent' or 'irrelevant' sides.
In the meantime, please find attached a definition of uccheda from the...
Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philol ... :3375.pali" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Metta,Uccheda
Uccheda [fr. ud + chid, chind, see ucchindati & cp. cheda] breaking up, disintegration, perishing (of the soul) Vin iii.2 (either after this life, or after kāmadeva life, or after brahmadeva life) D i.34, 55; S iv.323; Nd1 324; Miln 413; Nett 95, 112, 160; DA i.120.
-- diṭṭhi the doctrine of the annihilation (of the soul), as opp. to sassata -- or atta -- diṭṭhi (the continuance of the soul after death) S ii.20; iii.99, 110 sq; Ps i.150, 158; Nd1 248 (opp. sassati˚); Dhs 1316; Nett 40, 127; SnA 523 (opp. atta˚). -- vāda (adj.) one who professes the doctrine of annihilation (ucchedadiṭṭhi) Vin i.235; iii.2; D i.34, 55; S ii.18; iv.401; A iv.174, 182 sq.; Nd1 282; Pug 38. -- vādin = ˚vāda Nett 111; J v.244.
Retro.