An interesting item about Lewis Hamilton. As he prepares for a race he tries to do everything correct. If he drops a piece of paper he will pick it up. Apparently because God is watching. I can understand it from a mental preparation routine. I also now that there are many people that believe God is a deliverer of karma.
I had a few conversations with people today that said something similar. They talked about a God that rewards you if you continually apologise to Him.
I remember hearing Larry Norman in concert. HE always did as much (or more) talking than signing. One interlude he talked about how many people had mixed up Santa Claus (Father Christmas) with Jesus. Santa has two lists, naughty and nice. The kids that are on the naughty list get no reward. He went on to say that the Christian message was that the kids on the naughty list and on the good list all got rewarded.
Next time you compare religions look at this part of the message – is there a karma aspect? The core of the Christian message is contrary to the concept of karma.
I remember looking at Martin Luther and his famous light bulb moment “The just shall live by faith”. The people are described as “just”, not “being justified”, it is an end point, not a path. If you look at the Bible you will find this concept runs through it. It isn’t about something people need to do to achieve a higher level, it is about a free gift.
For the rich man (and the camel and eye of a needle) this is a hard concept, because people need to work to get things. The Christian message is quite revolutionary – getting things you don’t deserve for nothing and giving other people things they don’t deserve without payback.