Karma -- Thoughts?

[mom'sfolly]

In Hinduism, good karma is the result of living a life a dharma. Basically you generate good karma by leading a good and righteous life. Christians will find most of the tenets that Hindus are supposed to live by are very familiar. I think the only virtues of a dharmic life that aren't considered Christian values as well are the rules of reason and knowledge.

I find this stuff all very interesting. The website this is from is About.com's Hinduism section.

ccording to the ways of life chosen by a person, his karma can be classified into three kinds. The satvik karma, which is without attachment, selfless and for the benefit of others; the rajasik karma, which is selfish where the focus is on gains for oneself; and the tamasik karma, which is undertaken without heed to consequences, and is supremely selfish and savage.

The 10 Rules of Dharma
Manusmriti written by the ancient sage Manu, prescribes 10 essential rules for the observance of dharma: Patience (dhriti), forgiveness (kshama), piety or self control (dama), honesty (asteya), sanctity (shauch), control of senses (indraiya-nigrah), reason (dhi), knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence of anger (krodha). Manu further writes, "Non-violence, truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence of dharma". Therefore dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all in society.

 

[Q9]

Quote:
Not true. People go to Heaven or Hell based on whether they accept Christ as their Savior or not. Deeds or "generic karma" only determine the degree of reward or punishment.

 

[Marshmallow Man]

Quote:
Not true. People go to Heaven or Hell based on whether they accept Christ as their Savior or not. Deeds or "generic karma" only determine the degree of reward or punishment.

That's the theory. Nobody has ever lived to tell about it. So it remains a theory. That's what I was told during my time as a Christian.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
Not true. People go to Heaven or Hell based on whether they accept Christ as their Savior or not. Deeds or "generic karma" only determine the degree of reward or punishment.

Hmm, but what of those that don't believe in heaven or hell. Can't go someplace you don't believe in! So ONLY as a Christian can you go to either place, and that being said I guess all Christians are going to heaven based on what you've said... because don't ALL Christians accept Christ as their Saviour?? You have fun up there with all the Serial Killers and people that accept Christ... just not my cup o' Karma, thank you.

 

[Organics North]

Quote:
OK, Q9 ..welsummerchicks ...... I have a question for you... I would be interested in your opinion/take.

How about the Christian concept of "original sin" Is that not a form of Karma? (Something that happened in the past causing a "burden" felt today and the future..)

(I am one of those with a COEXIST bumper sticker on my truck... Always looking for the common ground....Even though I know VERY LITTLE about any form of religion.. Just like people to get along..

)

Peace

ON

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
I know you didn't ask me, so you don't have to read this if you don't want to

I think that the Original Sin was a dang good excuse for all of humanity to be able to do pretty much what they darn well pleased and STILL get into heaven, if that's what you believe. I just can't find it in myself to believe that a newborn has done anything wrong.

 

[Marshmallow Man]

Quote:
I know you didn't ask me, so you don't have to read this if you don't want to

I think that the Original Sin was a dang good excuse for all of humanity to be able to do pretty much what they darn well pleased and STILL get into heaven, if that's what you believe. I just can't find it in myself to believe that a newborn has done anything wrong.

I agree. I like the confession thing. Do anything you want and go to confession. For a few Hail Mary's you can get away with murder. Did you ever read Pillars of the Earth? the King and the Dukes would kill people needlessly and would get redemption from the local Bishop in exchange for money donations. I've always been amazed at what people will do because of their fear of what happens after death.

I wonder what would happen to humanity if somehow the entire World found out that there was no God. No nothing. We are just worm food. Do you think everyone would just go berzerk?

 

[welsummerchicks]

As far as I can figure out, there is no other religion in the world that has any concept like the Christian concept of Original Sin. I think that it is completely unique.

The idea is that Adam and Eve committed the original sin of eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Then Christ died for our sins. Then it gets a little murky, many Christians are very confused about what happened after that. Jesus died for our sins, but we still can be sinful and...uh....then things start getting confused.

There are many things that are completely unique to Christianity - at least TODAY they are unique. There are researchers who point out similarities with Babylonian and other religions that preceeded Christianity but are lost to us now, so our view might be distorted.

I don't actually think karma, even in the new age concept, but certainly not on the Hindu concept of it, has any similarity with Original Sin.

'people go to heaven based on whether they accept Jesus or not'.

For people who believe that, they also seem to believe that even the worst criminal could get into Heaven, if after killing all the people, s/he stated s/he accepted Christ as his/her savior.

Not all Christians believe that is how it works. Even when they do, sometimes they make exceptions.

For example, Andrea Yates, who killed her five children, I'm told by one of the folks that believe that anyone can get into heaven if they accept Jesus as their savior, that she cannot, because she is 'pure evil'. 'Pure evil' and will 'go to Hell', despite having accepted Jesus as her savior, and even when she became more and more ill because her husband denied her medication under the influence of a dangerously disturbed con artist, turned her into a baby factory although he knew she had very bad post-partum psychosis, and knew she had urges to harm the children, as she had told everyone in the family clearly that this happened and that she needed help, and her husband 'accidentally' forgot to leave someone at home with her, more than once. A husband who straight faced, told everyone he did not give her medication because 'medication didn't help her', and who when she went to jail, immediately requested medication and in about 72 hours, was thinking far more normally, and began to realize what had happened, and she will be the one who will be in jail for the rest of her life and live with people's hatred, scorn and spitting in her face....a husband who told interviewers he would marry again and have a bunch more children real, real soon.

Myself, I think sometimes we aren't really aware of who the 'evil' one is. And I think such as in the case of Randy Yates, he will not, ever, never, get punished, and he will never believe he did anything wrong. Even though he did what to me is the single most unpardonable act - to take advantage of a vulnerable individual. And yet people tell me since he accepted Jesus as his savior, he will go to heaven, and his wife, who also accepted Jesus as her savior, will not go to heaven. Because in her case, 'it didn't take, or she wouldn't have killed her kids'.

Actually, she wouldn't have killed her kids if anyone had stayed home with her that morning. Everyone in the family knew she was that sick. They did not take care of her in the right way. They took care of her in a selfish way that suited their wants, and ignored the needs of the children and her as well. As far as Randy Yates seemed to be concerned, children can be replaced easily enough, no big deal.

Some will tell you that a 'real Christian' wouldn't commit crimes - they sort of get rid of the problem in their mind that way.

Some will tell you that criminals who do horrible things won't get into heaven, even if they do accept Jesus in their hearts. You regularly hear sermons on 'Am I good Enough to Get into Heaven?'

So while many believe accepting Jesus is enough, all don't.

In James, it says even if a person keeps to all the commandments and laws, they still are 'guilty of all' if they make a small mistake. Many Christians will say God will judge people on Judgement Day and the murderers, liars and thieves will go to Hell.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
I know you didn't ask me, so you don't have to read this if you don't want to

I think that the Original Sin was a dang good excuse for all of humanity to be able to do pretty much what they darn well pleased and STILL get into heaven, if that's what you believe. I just can't find it in myself to believe that a newborn has done anything wrong.

I agree. I like the confession thing. Do anything you want and go to confession. For a few Hail Mary's you can get away with murder. Did you ever read Pillars of the Earth? the King and the Dukes would kill people needlessly and would get redemption from the local Bishop in exchange for money donations. I've always been amazed at what people will do because of their fear of what happens after death.

I wonder what would happen to humanity if somehow the entire World found out that there was no God. No nothing. We are just worm food. Do you think everyone would just go berzerk?

Oh yes, I agree with that too... makes me laugh.

I think there would be a lot of people that would lose it, there would be others that would insist that it's wrong, and still others that would just go on as they have.

 

[Marshmallow Man]

I was friends with a couple of JW's. They told me that they don't believe in Hell. Everyone is worm food except a handful of people that live their life exactly as Jehovah did. They also told me that a JW is incapable of lying. So I always took them at their word.