Friday Sevens

Today we have a special guest questioner asking person thingy, the Rev Ed. Last week's question got Ed thinkin' about Karma. He posed some specifics to us, and we will tackle them right here and now. That being said, let's roll!

1. If you perform a good act, but with bad intentions (i.e., you're angry or hateful about doing it), does it still count as good karma?

It does not benefit your personal karmic account, no. Accidentally doing good simply doesn't cut it. God knows the difference, and so do I.

2. If there's an accidental good outcome to something you did, can you count it in your karma column?

Nice try, but this is a retread of question 1. The answer remains no.

3. What about white lies? Is it bad karma to say something you don't mean--knowing that it's nicer than what you were thinking?

I don't believe lies generate much karmic force one way or the other. White lies, like 'gee, that was a terrific dinner' do not generate negative karma... for their intentions are genuine (if a bit shallow). Frankly, I am giving you permission to white lie your little heart out. You will be judged by your actions and intent, so go volunteer for a charity and you wouldn't have these dilemmas.

4. Is a bad intention at all on the same level as a bad act? (For example, is thinking "I'd like to see him killed," on the the same degree as 'pulling an MJ?') Christianity, and some criminal statutes seem to think so, but I don't happen to agree.

no. Many times a day I want to hurt someone out of frustration. Thinking these things is natural. How you seperate yourself from the animals is whether or not you act on them. For example, quite often I'd like to see someone nekkid. That is natural, it is how the species survives. How I take the high road is by not playing grab ass, since I am married and all. There is an old saying 'there is no such thing as a selfless act'. Now that is a heavy one we can address later. One last thing, Christianity is total horseshit. If you want to follow a path, I strongly encourage Buddhism.

5. Is there truly such a thing as an accident?

yes, not everything is fate or destiny. Einstein and Hawking differ on this one, actually. Albert Einstein said 'god does not play dice with the universe'. Steven Hawking said 'god does indeed play dice with the universe'. Not sure what that means, cause I can't really read. However, I think it means the crippled guy like craps and possibly has a gambling problem.

6. Is it good/bad to stick up for yourself, knowing that doing so will inflict harm on others?

It is imperative for you to defend yourself, especially if you believe you are defending right action. For details on this, reference the 'eightfold path'... a buddhist teaching that encourages only actions which are not destructive. That being said, how will defending yourself inflict harm on others? Are we talking straight self defense? Frankly, you are clearly holding back. Without all of the details I can't give you much more info. Know this, you know what is right... do that. Integrity is what you do when no one is looking.

7. What obligation, if any, do we all have to look out for each other?

I bear that obligation very strongly. That is why I am a democrat, and that is why I volunteer for the Red Cross.