“Fate is merely a device used to exploit the masses by convincing them of the inevitability of their station in life. I spit on fate.” – Karl Marx
I don’t see fate as a conspiracy theory of elite class to exploit masses. But, at the same time, I don’t exactly believe that everything is decided by higher power and we are just mortal pawns. If we don’t believe in fate (not in Marxist way!) then does that mean that we have choice of doing what we want to do? Or, what we perceive as a choice is in fact a pathway that leads us down our destiny- something which is already decided. If we go by Judeo-Christian philosophy - and I don’t intend to make generalizing statement here- then we do not have a choice. All we can do is to trust the ‘God’ and wait for him to come down and save us. But, if we go by Hindu philosophy then we do have choice and to perfect our choice we have rebirths. In short, fate is something we build over the course of numerous births. If we say that we do have choice to decide our future then why do we get this chance to choose? We know that we rarely achieve what we really want to achieve then that basically proves that not everything is in our hand. Suppose, even if we achieve what we intended to then what happens after that?
Another troublesome question that arises if we believe in ‘choice theory’ is that it nullifies the purpose of ‘God’ as a separate entity. If we have chances of perfecting our choice then what is the need of savior? Why do we need savior? It’s a bit confusing.
I believe in rebirths. One, because, it is closely related to the choice concept I am trying discuss. And, second, I do so because I believe accountability is essence of nature. It is almost like Math. If the sum doesn’t add up then you are in trouble. During our lifetime we are responsible for everything we do. There is always cause and its effect. And, if this is so, then, why this primary concept of accountability would change after life? Why someone from upstairs will help us and save us from going to hell. (I don’t believe in heaven or hell either!) We are responsible for our fate and all though, destiny plays some part, that undecided part or destiny is influenced by our own decision in prior births. Right from our birth, till death we have specific time and resources to move up in the ladder. So, at the end of the life if we make good choices then we move a step closer to the ‘God’ or the ultimate energy, as I would like to say.
This topic is very subjective and it becomes murkier once we enter into realm of religion. My beliefs are based on Hindu philosophy. There may be defects in it as this is very amateur attempt to understand concept of Karma. So, comments on this topic are most welcome.
2 comments:
I can shed a bit of light on the Christian perspective for you. Christianity actually has adherents covering everyting from Calvinism (destiny, no choice) to Arminianism (choice, no destiny).
Basically, however, we agree on one thing: man, by his very nature, will always fall short of perfection. In other words, when given a choice, we make selfish, bad choices more often than good, altruistic choices. Using our own rational, even our "altruistic" choices tend to be selfish because deep-down we have a selfish motivation for doing what we did.
God set a high standard: Perfection; because He is perfect. For us humans to be perfect, we must never make a wrong choice - not one.
In other words, good choices do not balance out bad choices, because just a single bad choice causes one to be imperfect.
That's why we need a Savior to suffer the consequences for all the bad choices. It is our belief in His sacrificial death that pays the wages for all the wrong choices we've ever made and our personal relationship with Him in our everyday life that allows our choices to be good and altruistic. Thus we are free from having to do certain things outweigh our bad choices, because Christ has already perfected us by taking away the consequences of our bad choices; yet, in the light of what He did for us, our desire becomes to live as He did!
I cannot help clarify Karma, but hopefully that clarifies another belief-system. :-)
Everything 'realizable' , meaning the one which has taken shape , has to come out of something that has taken shape before it.
So the potential of the outcome is dependent on the existing 'variables'.
Increase the number of variable to the 'act(ion)s' of 6 billion people and not to mention host of other 'factors' on this earth and it would provide a glimpse at potential possible outcomes. Nevertheless the outcomes and the 'inputs' maintain a direct relationship.
So whatever we do , an act, we and only we are responsible for it. Where is the need for any higher authority to intervene. How, also, can anybody else atone for your sins, in other words, own the 'outcomes' for 'your variables inputs'.
And like everything else happening around us ( we are composed of the same atoms, molecules , except in different proportions with respects to other animals inhibiting the earth with us) this chain of events must be cyclicle ...and so this world ('maya') continues to express itself in varied forms.
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