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AIBU?

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Original poster

There's no such thing as karma

82 replies

DragonsOnRoof · 11/07/2019 18:32

AIBU to feel there's no such thing as 'karma' or 'fate'?

My DM is always saying "Oh it wasn't/was meant to be..." and it irritates me. (I don't let it show, I just nod). Life is just a serious of thousands of small and big decisions, random events, coincidences and sheer luck (good or bad).

I think if you're a shit, selfish person you'll soon run out of friends but that's just consequence, not karma.

I know many amazing, kind people who have had really awful and unfair things happen to them or their family, why do we put so much faith in karma? There's no inherent earthly balance of good/bad we are all bound to.

Often, bastards get away with being bastards and good guys really do finish last.

rant over, as you were

OP posts:
saraclara · 12/07/2019 10:09

It was meant to be
Everything happens for a reason

No. It's all bollocks. Horrible things happen to wonderful people all the time. There's no rhyme or reason to it. I find it REALLY hard not to get angry with people who come out with this stuff and the whole karma thing.

There's an acquaintance in my luggage who really wants to become a friend. But I can't bear her presence because she constantly spouts this stuff.
I had some dreadful news ten minutes before she came to my house last week. Her response was to grin like an idiot and spout this sort of ridiculousness at me until I had to fake a phone call and get rid of her.

saraclara · 12/07/2019 10:10

In my luggage?!

In my LIFE!Grin

DGRossetti · 12/07/2019 10:27

I suspect what most western people think of when discussing karma is a supernatural force that punished evil and rewards good.

Well they can believe in that - and sky fairies - but it's not my understanding. As with "racist", it helps to define terms before diving in ....

Original poster
DragonsOnRoof · 12/07/2019 13:17

But I do think that life has a way of bringing you to what is right for you eventually

That's a nice belief but ultimately very naive.

OP posts:
Lifecraft · 12/07/2019 13:26

But I do think that life has a way of bringing you to what is right for you eventually

That's a nice belief but ultimately very naive.

Indeed. Just try that line on a teenager with terminal bone cancer. See what response you get!

Excited101 · 12/07/2019 13:34

It’s about as real as the earth being flat.

Original poster
DragonsOnRoof · 12/07/2019 13:43

I think those that wholeheartedly believe in (the Westernised idea of) karma have probably led a privileged life without significant trauma.

Or if they have suffered, then it's a last ditch attempt to console yourself against the unfairness of life.

OP posts:
blankittyblank · 12/07/2019 13:44

@saraclara - totally agree!

I hate it so much when something happens to someone, ir someone is waiting for some news or something, and someone says "everything happens for a reason"

Do you really believe that? So if I get attacked on the street, it happened for reason? As if anyone would ever say or think that if the outcome were bad or negative.

It's just a way to make people feel more optimistic in a stressful situation, but god, it pisses me off!

danni0509 · 12/07/2019 13:57

@ParkheadParadise Thanks

Nesssie · 12/07/2019 14:07

I believe in karma. Its a personal belief, that might not match up with other peoples definitions.
Do a good deed and that will be passed on (whether it is passed back to you or on to another person).
That doesn't mean bad things won't happen to good people -that's just life unfortunately.

Lifecraft · 12/07/2019 14:13

So if I get attacked on the street, it happened for reason?

The reason being, you were on the same street at the same time as a violent scumbag.

Everything happens for a reason, but it's not fate or pre ordained. If a piano falls on your head, the reason was that the idiots loading the piano thru the upstairs window didn't secure it properly.

Original poster
DragonsOnRoof · 12/07/2019 14:14

That doesn't mean bad things won't happen to good people -that's just life unfortunately.

But if bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people, that sort of evidences the fact karma doesn't exist?

OP posts:
Nesssie · 12/07/2019 14:24

Karma isn't everything. It just occurs occasionally in between all the good/bad/ugly daily life.

Lifecraft · 12/07/2019 14:31

Karma isn't everything. It just occurs occasionally in between all the good/bad/ugly daily life.

So let me get this straight.

Bad things happen to good people, good things happen to bad people...this isn't proof karma is nonsense, it's just life.

Good things happen to good people, bad things happen to bad people....proof that karma exists.

Why aren't both lots covered under "it's just life" ??

pigsDOfly · 12/07/2019 14:33

Karma isn't everything. It just occurs occasionally in between all the good/bad/ugly daily life.

How does that work. It either exists or it doesn't. It can't exist a little bit, surely?

Ringdonna · 12/07/2019 14:39

The love of money is the root of all evil...

Original poster
DragonsOnRoof · 12/07/2019 14:41

Karma isn't everything. It just occurs occasionally in between all the good/bad/ugly daily life.

Karma only happens occasionally? Hmm I don't understand that logic at all.

Surely if there's a universal good/bad balance (I'm thinking Avatar) then it would exist everywhere, in everything, and not just apply sporadically?

OP posts:
Lifecraft · 12/07/2019 14:52

Karma appears to be like god or even the chancellor of the exchequer.

When the right things happen, they get all the credit. When the wrong things happen, it's got nothing to do with them at all.

Original poster
DragonsOnRoof · 12/07/2019 15:10

@Lifecraft Grin

OP posts:
PinkGlitter123 · 12/07/2019 15:27

Kindness and love is not returned back. All that bollocks aboit what you give out you get back is not true.
As I said up thread, my 'friend' heavily used me when they were having problems. Texing daily, sobbing on my shoulder, telling me what a great friend I was all up until they met a new partner. As soon as they met them I no longer existed, when I said how that made me feel, they got others involved, showed those people all my texts and said how neurotic and wrong I was. Today, a year on, they are blissfully happy with that partner, lots of holidays planned, jetting off on one today, deeply loved and cherished, lots of new friends who think they are amazing and for them, life could not be better. This is despite how they have treated me.
Self absorbed, 'Me first' people end up happier, that's a fact. An uncomfortable one but its true.

Nesssie · 12/07/2019 15:41

@DragonsOnRoof not sure what you want me to say, abandon my belief because a stranger on the internet doesn't agree?
You asked, I answered.

@pigsDOfly Is that an Official Rule of Karma?

My belief is that it exists but doesn't influence every decision and action in the world.

Lifecraft · 12/07/2019 15:42

Kindness and love is not returned back

Not if you've got a cat it isn't. For 10 bloody years, I lavished love and affection on the fleabitten bastard, and someone moves in down the road with better catfood, and off it fucks. Leg weaving wanker!

Lifecraft · 12/07/2019 15:45

not sure what you want me to say, abandon my belief because a stranger on the internet doesn't agree?

You could always abandon your belief because you've now been provided with alternative evidence from strangers on the internet.

That's kind of how belief works. You make decisions based on what you know, and when you hear from someone who knows more, you amend your viewpoint.

Nesssie · 12/07/2019 15:49

@Lifecraft but I've already said that my belief is that Karma doesn't influence every action on Earth. Good things happen, bad things happen, sometimes Karma rewards the good things, sometimes it punishes the bad things.

Why does one or two persons experience mean they know more? I have examples of good and bad karma I've witnessed. Therefore surely they should change their beliefs now they know more..

Lifecraft · 12/07/2019 16:11

@Nessie, when a good thing happens to a good person, or a bad thing to a bad person, how do you decide that's karma, and not just life. Because when a bad thing happens to a good person, then you've decided that is just life?

Can you not see the flaw in your thinking, saying karma exists, but discounting proof that it doesn't by saying sometimes it takes time off??

I could say that the devil exists because lightning strikes churches.....apart from when it doesn't, because even the devil needs a break!