I am an atheist and also believe that the universe is completely random. Even the (known) laws of physics don't explain or control what happens at the subatomic level. What does this have to do with the OP's post? "Bad" people take advantage of every opportunity to do whatever they want (power, control, money) without conscience or empathy for others. Only their own agendas. I don't think there's anything like Karma, God or some other universal system of justice. Someone cited Hitler as getting his comeuppance because he ended up killing himself. So his suicide balanced the millions of people he killed? I don't think so.
Implied in my post is that bad people don't suffer for the harm they do. Sometimes they are sad they get caught, but that's not the same thing.
Neither do I. Nor did I say or imply it. I'm just pointing out that being forced to blow your own brains out and have your body burnt so it can't be torn apart, disfigured and paraded through the streets of the city you once proclaimed as the centre of your rule by those who vanquished you can hardly be called a 'win' now can it.
Right..so live as you wish the world to be and be the change you wish to see in the world. It'll happen..or it won't...
if by win, you mean they end up with a lot of money, well..that's probably true. But if happiness is your measure, it could be a different story. I know rich and "successful" people who are miserable and others who have next to nothing to their name loving each and every day, enjoying friends, family, nature, music, etc.
Yes, I guess that was my way of saying I agree... Sorry, I was referring to your post but I didn't mean to say that you meant it was enough. I should have mentioned that my comment was not intended to disparage your example; I was just using it as as example to further explain my own thought. I am really sorry if you misinterpreted my remark. I should have been clearer.
Decent people need to be able to recognize arsewholes and call them on being arsewholes. Or like my Dad used to say: Son...don't be a dick. But if you have to be a dick...be the biggest one in the room. In other words...kindness doesn't include weakness. Or in the immortal words of Dalton: Be nice...until it's time not to be nice.
Zen master Dogen awakened in the middle of the night to find a man ransacking his house. “What do you want?” he called. “I’m looking for money,” the man said. The master replied, “My money is in the red jar on the shelf.” The robber opens the jar and finds money. As he’s scooping it up, Dogen cries out, “Wait! Don’t take it all... I need some to pay taxes.” The robber is taken by surprise and puts a fistful of coins back in the jar. Gathering up the rest, he headed for the door. Dogen said, “You know, when someone gives you a gift, it’s only polite to say thank you.” The robber is so dumbfounded that he replies, “Thank you.” Then he runs away into the night. Two days later, the police drag the robber to Dogen’s hut. “This guy has confessed to a string of crimes, and says that he robbed you two nights ago. Is this so?” And Dogen says, “Why, no. He was here, but I gave him a gift, and he thanked me for it.” When the robber was released from prison, he sought out the Zen master and became his student.
Karma, as it's often portrayed, does not mean 'getting comeuppance'. https://ideapod.com/heres-great-explanation-karma-really-means-can-improve-life/ Bad things happen to good people. Good things happen to bad people. That's life. Most on here can be grateful for what we have, and strive not to make life worse for others through action or inaction. In any group, there will always be those that take a different view, and see things through a combative lens, or a religious one, or any other, and that's life too. I just try to live the best life i can, while recognising i've not always lived up to the standards i set. I leave anger to other people. It seems to be its own punishment.
Indeed. "For evil to succeed, all good men need do is sit back and do nothing." Or something like that...
If you actually care, I recommend reading "The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins, as it covers these sorts of questions comprehensively.
I don't believe in karma or any other made up mystical stuff. Good and bad things can happen to anyone. The two greatest murderers of modern times, Mao Zedong and Stalin died peacefully in their beds.
