1. In your opinion, why do bad things happen to good people?
Among traditional Christians the answer given to this question is often "God is testing us". I, however, don't believe God imposes such tests. Karma is definitely involved, but not exclusively, and not necessarily individual karma. Because we live in a society with other people and in the natural world, we are subject to influences other than just our personal karma. For example, maybe we should consider collective karma of a particular group, nation or even of humanity as a whole, in addition to individual karma.
But we also must consider the laws of nature, as well as cause and effect. For example, if a hurricane hits a certain region and kills many people, it's not because those individuals had some karmic debt to pay. Rather, it's a matter of human society being impacted by natural events. If a city is built in a hurricane (or earthquake, or tornado, etc.) prone area, it is not surprising if that city is impacted by hurricanes from time to time. This isn't anyone's fault (nor is it some retribution from God) – just the collision of natural processes with human society. To bring the same example down to individual terms, if someone stands in the middle of the road it is not surprising if that person eventually get hit. The fact that the person is hit does not mean God is punishing that person, or that karma from a past life is taking effect – it is just cause and effect in the natural world. Of course, cause and effect is intrinsically linked to karma. But all cause and effect is not necessarily moral.
2. How do you resolve the ancient dilemma of how a loving and just God can allow tragic things to happen?
There are two keys to this problem (the famous "problem of evil"): free will and rational natural processes. Free will requires that choices have consequences. If we cannot influence the outcome of something – for good, and yes, for bad – then we don't really have free will. Along the same lines, in order for our free will to be meaningful, our surrounding have to be rational, i.e. there must be rules. If God were to arbitrarily intervene in the world then we would not be able to make sense of the world as there would be no consistency.
Thus, when humans have free will – with freedom to make either good or bad choices – it follows that others (humans, animals, the environment, etc.) may be negatively affected by the actions of some. Also, when nature functions according to set rules, it is inevitable that human activity and natural activity will collide at some point (see the above example).
Also, the whole dilemma must be viewed from a cosmic perspective. What seems evil and tragic to us here and now, may look differently when view from afar (with consideration given to reincarnation, cosmic cycles, karma, etc.).
3. Describe the way you see karma working in your life.
It is very hard to see from up close. The further removed we are from an event the easier it is to see the karmic aspect. For me, this often means that events (even those which at the time seemed negative) bring about unexpected results later down the road. I've found that even what seemed like relatively small decisions or insignificant events have led (usually through a chain of events) to drastic changes in my life's direction.
4. Do you believe that karma is one hundred percent responsible for your current circumstances or are there other important factors involved? If so, what are they?
No, not 100% -- neither from previous lives or this life. I believe that the karma of those around me comes into play, as well as my personal decisions and those of the people I come into contact with.
J.P.A.
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