Karma -- Thoughts?

[Boyd]

Every time this year I get rather introspective. My thoughts are always on my Karma, but especially this time of year. Do you folks believe in Karma and balancing the scales? Pay it forward? Ignore it for this lifetime only to focus it on the next?

Sort of a simple question and paragraph to write, sort of deep and personal to answer. Anyone up to the challenge?

 

[speckledhen]

No.

 

[booker81]

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HAHAHAHA!!!!

I thoroughly believe in karma, but probably too much so to get into it here

 

[Q9]

Not compatible with my religion. I'm a Christian, so no.

 

[Boyd]

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Actually its origin isn't Christian, the idea is universal to all religions..

 

[Q9]

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Actually its origin isn't Christian, the idea is universal to all religions..

I think you misunderstood me. As a Christian, I do not believe in Karma. Unless you're using that as a term for actions in this life affecting the next - that is, eternal. In that case, sure. There are degrees of reward in Heaven and degrees of punishment in Hell.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
Actually its origin isn't Christian, the idea is universal to all religions..

I think you misunderstood me. As a Christian, I do not believe in Karma. Unless you're using that as a term for actions in this life affecting the next - that is, eternal. In that case, sure. There are degrees of reward in Heaven and degrees of punishment in Hell.

you get it. The idea is somewhat spiritually universal, religious or no.

 

[SillyChicken]

yes...... she and I are good friends

 

[HeatherLynn]

Well me being me I have to define what we are discussing first, so I checked out the skeptics dictionary and this is what I found.

"Karma is a law in Hinduism which maintains that every act done, no matter how insignificant, will eventually return to the doer with equal impact. Good will be returned with good; evil with evil. Since Hindus believe in reincarnation, karma knows no simple birth/death boundaries. If good or evil befall you, it is because of something you did in this or a previous lifetime."

Ok so I don't really believe in Karma as the dictionary defined it. Sometimes evil befalls people not because of what they have done but maybe what they need to learn. Everything has a purpose. Every moment is a lesson. You can take bits of of this definition and apply it to any religion or even no religion at all. Good is sometimes returned with good and evil with evil but thats not always so.

I prefer to think that the good or evil that I will affect how my life and afterlife turn out but I know that every thing that happens in my life is not something I can control or caused by something I did. Thats hard to remember sometimes. If I prescribed to Karma than when a child is abused I could blame that on what the child did in a past life not that the person who did the abusing is just an evil "dirty word". See what I mean. So even when I think I have lived well and something bad happens I do not blame it on Karma but I look for the lesson I should be learning.

And thats all the philosophy I have in me tonight.

 

[gogoalie]

You as a Christian may not believe how much "Karma" influences your religious doctrine, as you probably dont' study other religions as much as other do, like me, an agnostic. Even prior to me steppin' outta my "Christian" beliefs, I heard that Christianity was an influence of many different religions & indeed, scoffed at it, as much as you do in your simple response. History proves otherwise. Something many Christians are lacking. A throuogh religious historical background. But I digress...on to Karma.

Funny, I like the fact that in Karma is one of the more ancient beliefs to see that there's a power, that has positive & negative effects, & put it into effect of people around them & that todays science of polar opposites, are nearly one & the same. Fometing of positive energy is essential in order to maintain a positive atmosphere. Fomenting a negative atmosphere, only leads to destruction, I LOVE IT! Perhaps that's one reason Jesus taught to "Love one another", is particularly borrowed from the Eastern religions that believed in Karma.

My Native elders believe in Karma, they always warn to leave people who are negative, & only wish them good. (perhaps a melding of the Christian missionaries to the YK Delta, & the beliefs held by Eskimos, that all things are connected & all life, sacred)...

As far as my beliefs, I see the power of positive thinking...I maintained that through out my life...& am better for it...that's one reason why I got out of the Christian religion, too much preachin' this & that & you hafta do it my way, cuz my ways' the right way, cuz it's based on the bible (ok then go stone you some adulterers please!)...type thinking...

Likewise, I love the fact that the power of Positive thinking can carry you through some very trying & difficult times...I've always kept my eyes on my prize!