posted April 08, 2012 08:39 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
I personally believe in Karma, but strictly from a Christian perspective, are we not instructed to forgive an unlimited number of times? But life has justice for crimes committed. And God judges with a criteria only known to Him.

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that's something I will have to think about--that last line especially

posted April 11, 2012 08:44 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
Forgiveness is so hard, though.

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It really helps if you are able to forgive yourself first, it takes the "Hard Edge" out of the equation or rather solves that problem.

quote:

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Originally posted by RegardesPlatero:
I don't know that there is a resolution between the two: for now, at least, I have to hold them in tension.

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Causes teeth grinding.

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
All we can do is release it, so that we can be free.

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posted April 11, 2012 04:40 PM            

It's like the Universe is some big cosmic tree and every individual is a leaf on that tree. Unique in their own right, measured karmically by their own actions.

This whole idea of punishment really bother's me. I honestly don't believe there is such a thing as a karmic reward or a karmic punishment. It's all about balance, a pendulum swinging back and forth. I hate to bring this back to being a Libra, but I think about the scales. For everything to be perfectly even, the union of duality and polarity. It's like rubbing dirt off of a crystal diamond over many lifetimes for it to eventually become completely clear in evolutionary terms in which case it can be seen for what it truly is. Humans are like crystals covered in dirt. We've got a long way to go in evolutionary terms. It's not up to us to give forgiveness or condemnation to others. We aren't the final judgment on that matter. All we can do is continue to accept ourselves and accept each other.

Forgiveness or mercy implies wrong doing, but it's not up to humans to make that judgment and what exactly are we measuring injustice by. Separate from any religious interpretation what truly is sin? What we'd classify as abominable or despicable is subjective and relative. The fact of the matter is we don't really 'know' what's right or wrong, or if people should be punished or rewarded based on their actions. We as humans like the idea of taking the karmic power of the Universe into our own hands.

I don't believe in mercy, forgiveness, punishment or condemnation. I believe in accepting people for who they are. It's not up to me to decide who gets forgiven or who should be punished based on their actions. It's one of many reasons I choose to do nonprofit humanitarian work, while steering clear away from professions related to law. This is all just a matter of personal opinion though. It comes down to accepting yourself and accepting others really.

posted April 11, 2012 06:12 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Randall:
I personally believe in Karma, but strictly from a Christian perspective, are we not instructed to forgive an unlimited number of times? But life has justice for crimes committed. And God judges with a criteria only known to Him.

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Well said, Randall. I sort of believe in karma, but still have questions about it. Ultimately I think it's impossible to live a pure life, so we will always have karmic baggage from lifetime to lifetime, if we reincarnate. How does anyone escape reincarnation and where do they go in the end? That's my question.

Anyway, thanks for bringing up this interesting topic, Platero.

I tend to see mercy as a personal issue, whereas justice is more of a societal issue. It's up to me to forgive people and be merciful; it's up to society to create a justice system. If I try and make someone "pay" for what they've done to me, that's not "justice" in my book, that's just me making a mistake.

Thinking this over, I guess I wouldn't say it's ever mercy versus justice; I think justice has mercy woven into it. The punishment should fit the crime; anything beyond that lacks mercy.

posted April 12, 2012 12:24 AM            

Bravo to everything Joan said.

posted April 12, 2012 12:26 AM            

quote:

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I honestly don't believe there is such a thing as a karmic reward or a karmic punishment. It's all about balance, a pendulum swinging back and forth. I hate to bring this back to being a Libra, but I think about the scales. For everything to be perfectly even, the union of duality and polarity.

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quote:

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All we can do is continue to accept ourselves and accept each other.

Forgiveness or mercy implies wrong doing, but it's not up to humans to make that judgment and what exactly are we measuring injustice by. Separate from any religious interpretation what truly is sin? What we'd classify as abominable or despicable is subjective and relative. The fact of the matter is we don't really 'know' what's right or wrong, or if people should be punished or rewarded based on their actions. We as humans like the idea of taking the karmic power of the Universe into our own hands.

I don't believe in mercy, forgiveness, punishment or condemnation. I believe in accepting people for who they are. It's not up to me to decide who gets forgiven or who should be punished based on their actions. It's one of many reasons I choose to do nonprofit humanitarian work, while steering clear away from professions related to law. This is all just a matter of personal opinion though. It comes down to accepting yourself and accepting others really.

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How very beautiful!!

I've NN in Libra, so maybe that's why.

posted April 12, 2012 02:40 AM            

i forgot... i told myself not to write about religion and the like here. lol really don't want to get sucked into anything with anyone.

posted April 12, 2012 03:01 PM            

We are on the same wavelength, seriously. Whatever is zapping you cosmically is zapping me too. Lol.

I love reading about your spiritual insights. And about holding back in regards to religious topics, my theory is that people may never know more if we don't share more... but it's all up to you.

I'm listening, so feel free to write away! I think it's good to have a nice mix of different spiritual points of view. But it does get tricky because religion and spirituality are very touchy topics because they are personal to each individual.

posted April 13, 2012 09:34 PM            

You keep being you and speaking your beautiful mind please!