Karma -- Thoughts?

[redhen]

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?

Yup.. Some folks are going to be getting a big surprise at the end when theres nothing.....

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
You write well

Now, it seems as tho the Christian religion is based upon what people WANT to believe. If they believe everyone can confess and go to heaven, then that's the way it is. If they believe some don't, then that's the way it is too. You're right, it's a VERY murky religion, based on who you talk to and what they believe. Too many variables for my taste, and why I'm not a Christian.

I don't care for the 'exception to the rule' thing just because someone says so. Too much like big business and government!

I also don't think the Original Sin has anything to do with Karma either, it's a different concept.

 

[noodleroo]

I ususally just try to get along, too. I like learing about lots of things in many different areas, and I'm not afraid of that. I like to figure out how things work and why people act as they do. Waaaaay to logical for my own good sometimes. For instance; when I was a little girl and learned about heaven and hell. I learned that hell was really, really hot. Well, I hated to be cold and deduced that since hell was the opposite of heaven, that heaven might not be the place for me; it must be really really cold there! I don't know, maybe thats what started me thinking...

I'm going to throw some thoughts out here and I'd like to qualify my ramblings as how I figure stuff out. I do not mean in any way to insult anyone else's way of thinking or religion.

Religion has been used in the past as a way to control large numbers of people. It was a way to get them all going in the same direction for purposes that did not necessarily advance their soul. Sometimes, it was for money; sometimes to conquer countries and acquire land. Sometimes, it was for the higher purpose. Some were taught about a vengeful God. Some were taught about his kindness and the rewards of a righteous life.

I have decided that there is quite a gap between the beings that we have evolved into and the one true life force from which all things come and eventually go back to. Imagine, if you will, trying to communicate and explain your life to a cockroach..... You know, a higher life form communicating with a lower life form. Would you use what is familiar to you or try to use what is familiar to the cockroach? Well, that's what I think is God has had to do with us. I think the Bible was written in a way that WE would understand to try and communicate with us. I take passages from the Bible literally and figuratively. I think there is so much more to be learned and much of it beyond the Bible. And I think God meant for it to be that way; we are meant to figure things out as we go.

In my earlier post I did not mean to insinuate that it does not exist; it does. Darkness most certainly exists, but not where there is light. But what I intended to convey is that there can be no evil in the presence of God, just as there can be no darkness in the presence of light. 'Skillful' karma puts you closer and closer to the presence of God.

 

[Wolfwoman]

What I think is REALLY Karma is the way this thread is progressing with a wonderful discussion!

 

[welsummerchicks]

Everyone has done great work on this one.

Aurobindo said, 'God would not dare to appear to starving people except in the form of bread'.

How would you explain this to a cockroach? Too low a form of life, give me something with a nervous system, LOL.

In fact, no other animal other than man worries about these things, so I don't think any other animal than man would be listening to the explanation, however it was provided.

I recall years ago a very religious friend of mine was trying to explain God to a severely retarded man who was participating in an activity we put on for his group home. She felt being a limited sort of person he needed a very simple, simple explanation.

He said in his difficult to understand speech, 'Thanks but I am a atheist'.

She was so horrified.

 

[Wolfwoman]

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OMG that so made me LOL!!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

To a certain extent, karma is consequences. If you do certain things, other things are more likely to occur to or around you.

If hang out with bad people who do bad things to people, chances are that sooner or later you will end up as a recipient of some of those bad things. And their influence will also casue your own moral compass to waiver and erode to the point that eventually you will do some of the things that you would not have previously dreamed of doing.

If you hang out with people who like to do uplifting, caring things, chances are that you will begin doing some of these, be the recipient of good deeds and eventually it will become 2nd nature to you.


HOWEVER, sometimes it seems like bad things happen to really good people, and vice versa.

 

[Afrochicken]

I believe in karma. i was being nice to my sister while fishing at the beach and we caught 6 blue fish and i caught the biggest one!!

 

[Telamon]

i thought you guys were talking about karma from the Howrse simulation game

 

[Boyd]

The concept of Karma as well as Spirituality can be separate entities from Religion. I kinda want to shy away from the religious content for this discussion, as it will cause headaches for the mods, and that isn't the direction I was going.

For me, My Karma is still rather dark. I was one of the evil people younger in my life. Everything I do now is a self imposed penance to make up (at least in my mind) for what I was, who I was and those I hurt. And I'll be honest here.. I love my kids I really do! But I take in so many kids and invest so much time with them for a very selfish reason. It feels good to help them. If it didn't, it wouldn't be worth it to me to deal with DHS/CPS/State or agency folk.

And lets say I'm Christian (for arguments sake).. I am not trying to buy my way into the pearly gates.. Because there are sins that can't be wiped off the slate by asking forgiveness IMHO. If I get to the pearly Gates and they turn me away, I honestly wouldn't be surprised. All I want to do is make sure the next generation (as short a time as I have with them) has a better shot at making a difference and passing it along.