WHY believe in KARMA?

Question

Simply said, if we chose to ignore the workings of karma, we tend to create many problems for ourselves. For example, if we like to have something expensive, but we cannot afford it, it becomes very tempting to steal. If we are smart and attentive enough, we may never be caught stealing. However, by stealing, we create problematic situations for ourselves in the future, like poverty, or being the victim of robbers. Therefore, if we chose to ignore karma, the results of our actions will still haunt us.

Every mainstream religion teaches us about the consequences of our actions. The explanations may differ, but does it really matter in the end whether the law of karma causes us trouble or God himself in his final judgement?

What do you think?

Answer 1

After listen to everyone here I am starting to think that cultivation a bit of good Karma 'can't hurt' (said with a Jewish mother's accent). It would cover all bases, you know a back up plan just in case it turned out that we were wrong all along.

Answer 2

There are many problems with the salvation-by works doctrine of reincarnation. First, there are many practical problems. For example:
1. We must ask, why does one get punished for something he or she cannot remember having done in a previous life?
2. If the purpose of karma is to rid humanity of its selfish desires, then why hasn't there been a noticeable improvement in human nature after all the millennia of reincarnations?
3. If reincarnation and the law of karma are so beneficial on a practical level, then how do advocates of this doctrine explain the immense and ever-worsening social and economic problems - including widespread poverty, starvation, disease, and horrible suffering - in India, where reincarnation has been systematically taught through out its history?
There are also many biblical problems with believing in reincarnation. For example, in 2 Corinthians 5:8 the apostle Paul states, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." At death, the, the Christian immediately goes into the presence of the Lord, not into another body. In keeping with this. Luke 16:19-31 tells us that unbelievers at death go to a place of suffering, not into another body.
Further, Hebrews 9:27 assures us that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." Each human being LIVES ONCE as a mortal on earth, DIES ONCE, and then FACES JUDGMENT. He does not have a second chance by reincarnating into another body.

Answer 3

Karma is simply another one of Satan's tools to keep a person from focusing on the real truth and the only one there is. There can only be one truth, either God exists or He doesn't, either He is all that everyone says He is, or He isn't.

It is Satan that will tempt someone to steal. God will never tempt anyone to sin. He will test our faith but its not done in any way that would cause us to sin.

If I'm tempted to sin, I think of Jesus. I think of how important obedience is to God and because I want blessings in my life, I want my prayers to be answered (sin separates us from God, at least unrepented sin) and I want Christ to always be strong in my life.

I use to have a shoplifting problem when I was an alcoholic. Satan is always trying to make things easy for me to steal. There are many times something doesn't get rung up at the store and even if I'm home before I realize it, I immediately get back into my car, no matter how tired I may be (I have some physical disabilities), I will take the item back to the store.

One time there were over 15 items that did not get rung up. It was a new cashier who did not recognize the different sounds of the beeping from the scanner. This particular time I was very exhausted and more than that, I had meant to ask for a price check on a few of the items, but I had been talking to someone I ran into and forgot about asking. I didn't want them if the price was too high. Once I was home I remembered the items, so I quickly looked for my receipt to see what I was charged for those particular items. Couldn't find them and then I started recognizing there were all kinds of other items missing also. I took them all back. The items that I had wanted a price check on were higher priced than what I wanted to pay so I didn't buy them, yet, I could have had them for free. I really dislike it also when someone thanks me for bringing items back or for being honest. I'm only doing what I should have done all those years ago when it didn't matter.

I am not tempted to steal because of my love for the Lord and my desire to be obedient.

God created the 10 commandments for us to follow even today when people want to think God's word is old-fashion. God says, do not steal, why not? Because there are consequences, such as you can end up in jail and it can tear a family apart. He says, do not lie, why not? Because lying causes consequences of losing friendships, you can lose your job, you can lose your spouse, and most of all, lying hardens your heart and make a phony out of you. God say do not commit adultry, why not? Because that will certainly tear up a family and there is nothing worse than a broken family with kids suffering terribly and then they grow up and repeat the cycle. There is nothing old-fashion about God's word and there was a reason for everything.

Yes, it certainly matters in the end what you believe. When you take your last breath on earth and in the next second your standing before the God, He is not going to accept your apology that you made a mistake and believed in Karma instead of Him. Besides it doesn't matter anyway what you say, your name will not be in the Book of Life, unless you change your heart before you die.

What I can guarantee you is that you will bow on your knees and your tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Answer 4

I don't believe there is an outside force that enforces Karma, but there are at least 2 ways this might really operate:

You don't something bad, feel guilty about it and end up punishing yourself for it. Conversely you do something good and reward yourself for it.

Others learn of your bad behavior and treat you less well than they would have otherwise. Conversely yo do something good and other treat you better because of it.

The social primates, including homo sapiens, dedicate a lot of brain power to "who's been naughty and nice" and acting accordingly.

Answer 5

You answered your own question. Jesus endorsed Karma with the Golden Rule. Murphy's Corrollary about what goes around comes around means even Atheists believe in it. Not sure about the Jews, but I would not be surprised. Although it seems the Muslims haven't learned this yet. Terrorists only invite terrorism against their own people.

Answer 6

The main reason I think is that you cant commit bad Karma without impure intentions and without staining your inner mind/psyche. And that is the reason why even if there is no immediate outward consequences your guilty psyche will produce undesirable consequences in the long run and it will always catch up with you.

Answer 7

What goes around comes around = Action reaction = Revenge = Live by the sword die by the sword = What you so is what you reap = Karma... All things in the universe spins, spirals and goes around,.. even our thoughts.

Answer 8

All the'great' religions are by design a controlling force to keep the masses in their class. Karma is the striped down truth that they mask with their complicated crap.

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

Because Earl believes in Karma and that is good enough for me.