Oh cruel fate, why was I born a dog? Options

[*My Cinderella.*]

Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and other religions believe in dharma, which is basically tasks that one needs to complete in their lifetime. Do you believe that the form of life something or someone takes (such as a fish or dog) represents how they acted in their past lives? For example, do you think that a rapist years back could be the roach in your kitchen to this day? Or on a positive outlook, a kind and generous poor man could reborn into the prince of Thailand. What do you think?

[Simba]

Apparently, "karma" and "reincarnation" are two very misunderstood concepts here.

Karma and reincarnation are contingent. You cannot have one without the other.

[cori-catastrophe]

Apparently, "karma" and "reincarnation" are two very misunderstood concepts here.

Karma and reincarnation are contingent. You cannot have one without the other.

not quite.
karma is real. that's why people help other people rather than being selfish and greedy. you can be kind and giving and get what you deserve in return without turning into a roach or any of that pishposh.
you get back what you give.

[Simba]

not quite.
karma is real. that's why people help other people rather than being selfish and greedy. you can be kind and giving and get what you deserve in return without turning into a roach or any of that pishposh.
you get back what you give.

Hm, the real concept and purpose of karma is not very well known. Ironically, one's goal should not be to rack up good karma (or bad karma) at all.

The essence of karma is materialistic action. Obviously, there's negative actions (murder, gluttony, stealing, etc.) that'll earn you bad karma as well as positive actions (generosity, charity, etc.) that will earn you good karma. However, these are all material actions, usually done in a materialistic conscience. There are also "purified" actions done in "God-consciousness." These would actually rack up no karma, as karma is received from materialistic actions.

I'd probably have to go more in depth with that, but that's the gist of "karma," but I can go a little more in dept later if you want me to.

Karma and reincarnation are contingent. The Christian "one shot" deal cannot work with karma because most people would still have remaining karma to be "paid" which must be paid in the material world (after all, material cannot enter "Heaven" (the Kingdom of God). So, a Christian would either have to realize reincarnation or deny the truth of karma. (Note that "karma" is not directly taught in mainstream Christianity.)