I think one of the things our reliance on the christian religion has done is given us a “reason” for everything…well, it’s God’s will. In my spiritual journey, I’ve decided that is why some people rely on their religion for day to day disappointments….and I recoil when I hear those words. I remember the days of thinking…well this happene to teach a lesson. But when I rationalized this all out, this reminded me of the moronic rantings of the religious right and their sick explanations of God causing disasters in various parts of the world because of the sinners…like gays. I’m also torn by karma explaining away the good and the bad. While I really believe we are what we think as well as what we eat, I am still questioning the possibility of the existence of Karma. I would like to think it is real so I could have it to rely on as an explanation for good and bad happening to people. But this just does not add up either.
Stuff happens just because it happens. Yes…we have control over some actions just by the choices we make…that is the one thing that I think everyone can agree on….we have choices and the result of those choices can have far-reaching results and effect…and there doesn’t seem to be an expiration date for our choices…a choice made many years ago..enhanced with another choice, enhanced with another choice….things just happen!
The one thing that draws mankind all together is our choices. All of them will have an impact on someone…somewhere down the path of life, someone is going to be impacted by a choice someone else has made!
That’s where I am today…..until next time….
Ninasusan 
Karma? You want to believe in Karma? You go right ahead. It falls right in line with the Judeo-Christian concept of “you reap what you sow” and also, “do to others what you would have them do to you”. If you smoke 3 packs of Marlboro Reds a day for 30 years, expect consequences. If you treat people like crap, expect consequences. And finally, if you refuse to submit to God, ultimately there will be consequences. Expect immediate feedback in this life from the first two. That last one will have to wait until judgement day.As a Christian (not a Calvinist) I do not believe that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes random circumstances just cause events to coalesce into disaster that ends up hurting people. Could God have prevented the disaster? Of course. Why doesn’t He? It’s an opportunity for us who believe to put our faith into practice and help. There is also the fact that God does not view suffering in this life and even death as awful. He has the big picture. Tough times can force people to grow spiritually or it can have the opposite effect. It’s all in what we do with what we are given. The best way to be prepared for death and disaster is to have a strong faith to get you through. It’s possible to have joy and contentment even in suffering and death if you believe that ultimately all things work to the good of those that love God. Whatever is happening at the time is no contest for what is coming. In the meantime, we have hang in there and hang on to the Lord.One more thing, and this is fir Jared; lighten up! God gives people the power to choose. Just because someone takes a different pov, we should not get upset or offended by it. Simply offer your opinion about whatever the issue is, maybe engage in a discussion and move on. Taking offense only hurts you. If you really believe that you have the truth, opinions to the contrary should never offend you. Just sow your seed and move on. Something may eventually take root. The Lord said that people would hate us. This should at least happen for the right reasons.
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I think it’s a little unfair for you to lump all of the religious right together, but I understand being wounded by religion quite well and know the kind of resentment it can produce. I will say that your rants are offensive to me. I for one am tired of being made to look like the bad guy for my beliefs. I am on the right and I am a Christian and I am not a moron and I do believe all things happen for a reason and there is nothing wrong with that thinking. Bad things happen, no doubt, but God’s will for the world isn’t religion, it’s not judgement yet either, for now His will is redemption and I think we could all use a little redeeming. Jared
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Well put. Short…simple…we at Table 54 couldn’t have said it better ourselves! Thank you!- Y
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