That's all well and good, and I encourage you to keep believing whatever you want. But I've yet to see evidence, scientific, philosophical, or otherwise, that can sway me. In the meantime I'll just keep on living my life as best I know how, and hope for the best when its time to enter oblivion.
open a bible and have a gander, talk to a pastor. but as you said....it's not going to 'sway' you much untill you are ready to recieve the lord. lucky for you he'll always be there waiting, just don't wait untill it's too late!
If you believe that, you're not only a sheep but a tremendous moron. I'll debate you into the floor tomorrow if you want. Bring your faith, you'll need it.
This is NOT Karma. It's psychology you're explaining. CometsWin is correct. Read more about the subject if you're interested, but you're incorrect on explaining karma.
yes yes, cometswin has the definition - do good and good will come back to you, do evil, and evil will come back to you. that's a very limited and primitive understanding - sort of like saying chrisianity is all about accepting jesus as your savior in order to be saved. or believing in hell. i don't need to study some translation, i grew up a hindu. you have to read between the lines and gain a deeper insights on why religions have these devices and mythical stories. whether it's karma or hell, both are symbolic for very similar ideas even though they appear to be very different. it's merely a way of communicating it to the masses in a simple and easy format.
Isn't karma very similar to the laws of sowing and reaping? You plant an apple seed, get an apple tree, etc... except it's not quite as clear cut... like there can be other variables over time that effect it? In simplest terms, karma is not as simple as the west would like it to be.
yes, that's correct. but the mistake people make is that, oh, i should sow good things so i will eventually get back good things. well, that might be - and as you pointed out it's more complex. but the real goal is to actually get out of the whole karma system. that is, so that you aren't playing that game anymore at all. you aren't acting out of a desire for good or bad. that's one of the key steps to attaining nirvana. anyway, i'm going to stop now before this goes too far.
Yep.. That's what I gather from my limited readings trying to understand karma. Unfortunately, too many Christians do the same... trying to put effort or "good" in, for the sole purpose of the "reap" or to get rewarded as a result. So many don't understand that "good" should be a thing of, and from, the heart, and not merely a bartering tool used to make personal gains. If we only are putting in good as an investment, we are missing the point.
I think saying what will or won't get you into hell is kind of irrelevant. If you really believe Jesus is the only person that will judge the living and the dead then its not your place. I'm sure there is scripture that cites what will get you into hell, but really there are a ton of contradictions that allow people to pick and choose what they want to believe in and ignore the rest. This is a generalization of course, but its how I see it fit. Frankly I think if God exists and this is a big if in the Christian belief system, then its very possible for everyone no matter what they've done in life to find passage into heaven. Christians are taught that God is infinite in every way. Infinite love, mercy, etc, etc. Should also take into account the bad which again is not a judgment we can make if you believe in Christianity. I think its a greater mystery in the afterlife than the just a simple black and white answer that if you do bad, you'll go to hell. It's not your place to judge if you're a Christian. As for myself I don't know. I'll just make the best of my life now with the time I can enjoy it and whatever happens after I die, I'll just hope it works out for the best.
you do realize that a bulk of those 300 prophecies are vague enough to be satisfied by any jew, maybe even palin. Plus it doesnt disprove the idea that a large portion of Jesus life as recorded are doctored stories.
God is a concept By which we measure Our pain I'll say it again God is a concept By which we measure Our pain I don't believe in magic I don't believe in I-ching I don't believe in Bible I don't believe in tarot I don't believe in Hitler I don't believe in Jesus I don't believe in Kennedy I don't believe in Buddha I don't believe in Mantra I don't believe in Gita I don't believe in Yoga I don't believe in kings I don't believe in Elvis I don't believe in Zimmerman I don't believe in Beatles I just believe in me Yoko and me And that's reality
You keep saying it's simple, I disagree saying it's a complex concept as I give an example of its complexity, and then you turn around and say I have a very limited and primitive understanding? Whaaa? Karma is not symbolic of anything. Karma is the self much like Christians believe your soul is the self. It explains why we are who/what we are and how free will allows you to change your karma, or self, for the better or worse not only for the present but in rebirth. In fact, Buddhism doesn't concern itself with being saved or going to hell. Its goal is to see the world as it is so as to relieve suffering brought on by attachment. Karma is just a small part of that. I would say Heaven and Hell are mental states, not karmic states. Hell is pain and Heaven is pleasure but neither really exist because they're all impermanent and interdependent, illusions of reality. Really you do an injustice to the faith by conflating Heaven and Hell with the goals of Buddhism. Reaching Nirvana is achieving ultimate clarity and omniscience, transcending self. A far more powerful and mind blowing concept than mere Heaven or Hell, no disrespect to Christianity. Nirvana is more achieving the state attributed to the Christian version of God than it is going to Heaven or Hell. Again, not as simple as you'd claim.
I know your post above is not directed towards me, but I thought I'd respond. I am not sure a debate like you suggest would accomplish much. In fact, it would likely be a waste of time. There isn't anything you could say to me that would change my mind about my beliefs because I have personal experiences that have shown me who God is and that He exists. There isn't anything I can say to you that would change your mind about your beliefs. Judging by your response, you feel strongly about them. So where do we go from here? It's not up to me to try to "convert" you....I am not equipped to do so anyway. But if you want to hear about why I believe what I believe and my experiences, without being belligerant or judgemental, then by all means I am willing to talk. Likewise, if you want to share your beliefs with me....I will listen to you. But a debate? That will just serve to thicken the walls of defense in both of us.
I am also unconvinced by superstition. It took 30 years for God to get through to me. But He did....and in a way I cannot deny, despite wanting to and despite being one of the most skeptical and cynical people I know. In fact, every now and then, I ask myself, "Is this really REAL?" It does sound far-fetched at times. The whole Jesus thing, the resurrection, rising from the dead, etc. So I veer off track sometimes, and have doubts sometimes....but I always end up back on track. Doubt is not the opposite of belief. Unbelief (or disbelief?) is the opposite of belief. It started with one big crazy experience, and God now reveals himself to me almost daily. Anyway, not gonna type up the whole story here...but if you care to hear, just email me through the board.
Karma isn't real. There's really no such thing. Just as Hell really isn't real. That's their commonality. The are metaphorical constructs manufactured to get the masses to behave. Ultimately, to free yourself of fear - the fear of going to this Hell (which really doesn't exist) or the feer of negative retribution or a lack of positive retribution (karma which doesn't exist) - it's all mental. It's all in your head. If you free yourself from all that gunk inside of you, you'll have attained a higher state. That's all that this religion and pretty much all religions tell you. Truth shall set you free? That's it. Nothing more.
Exactly. If you do things from the essence from who you are, without fear of consequence, social pressures, guilt, anxiety, or pain from the past - if you act without any of those things, you are operating from the pure essence of who you are - or truly from your heart. That's the goal - at least how I have come to understand it all.
