Karma-driven reincarnation may be more morally reprehensible than hell.
I was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. Between 4 months of age and my early 20s, I had 43 surgeries in order to give me what limited physical ability I currently enjoy. Osteotomies, mostly, which fucking hurt. In addition to the surgeries themselves, I've had a fuckton of rehab and physical therapy. For the first half of my life, the cycle was that by the time I felt like myself again, it was time for another surgery, then months of recovery and rehab.
Due to my physical status, I also suffer from chronic pressure sores. Which hurt almost constantly. And have become infected, before. I can say from firsthand experience that MRSA isn't fun.
Because of my physical issues, I need help with all activities of daily living. That means: bathing, cleaning, preparing food, going to the bathroom, etc. Everything an able bodied person can just do without thinking, I need assistance with. Which means I'll never have a wife. I'll never have children. There's a pretty good chance that I'm going to spend the last half of my life (decades) in a nursing home environment, with no privacy, no ownership of anything aside from my wheelchair and some clothes. You can probably imagine what that can do to one's self-esteem and outlook on life.
Now, according to your belief system, my current living hell is, what, divine punishment for something I may have done in some past life? Something I have absolutely no recollection of? How unbelievably cruel the divine grace and wisdom you so smugly defend is. Perhaps it would be different if I had some knowledge of my assumed previous misdeeds (although, it's hard for me to imagine anyone short of an actual tyrant or warlord deserving a life like this), but I have been afflicted since birth. An infant, literally the shape of a human pretzel inside my mother's womb. And all of the trials and tribulations I've been through - the pain, the fear, the social isolation, the sadness - from day 1 is what I deserve because of karma?
And you want us to be convinced by you? To gleefully join you in belief in some deity or master plan that not only does this to one person, but millions around the globe? That this system you imagine is the intentional creation of some wondrous being? Maybe next time I'll be born as some African girl, only to be beaten, raped, and killed by a roving gang. Won't that be a hoot.
I was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. Between 4 months of age and my early 20s, I had 43 surgeries in order to give me what limited physical ability I currently enjoy. Osteotomies, mostly, which fucking hurt. In addition to the surgeries themselves, I've had a fuckton of rehab and physical therapy. For the first half of my life, the cycle was that by the time I felt like myself again, it was time for another surgery, then months of recovery and rehab.
Due to my physical status, I also suffer from chronic pressure sores. Which hurt almost constantly. And have become infected, before. I can say from firsthand experience that MRSA isn't fun.
Because of my physical issues, I need help with all activities of daily living. That means: bathing, cleaning, preparing food, going to the bathroom, etc. Everything an able bodied person can just do without thinking, I need assistance with. Which means I'll never have a wife. I'll never have children. There's a pretty good chance that I'm going to spend the last half of my life (decades) in a nursing home environment, with no privacy, no ownership of anything aside from my wheelchair and some clothes. You can probably imagine what that can do to one's self-esteem and outlook on life.
Now, according to your belief system, my current living hell is, what, divine punishment for something I may have done in some past life? Something I have absolutely no recollection of? How unbelievably cruel the divine grace and wisdom you so smugly defend is. Perhaps it would be different if I had some knowledge of my assumed previous misdeeds (although, it's hard for me to imagine anyone short of an actual tyrant or warlord deserving a life like this), but I have been afflicted since birth. An infant, literally the shape of a human pretzel inside my mother's womb. And all of the trials and tribulations I've been through - the pain, the fear, the social isolation, the sadness - from day 1 is what I deserve because of karma?
And you want us to be convinced by you? To gleefully join you in belief in some deity or master plan that not only does this to one person, but millions around the globe? That this system you imagine is the intentional creation of some wondrous being? Maybe next time I'll be born as some African girl, only to be beaten, raped, and killed by a roving gang. Won't that be a hoot.
"I was thirsty for everything, but blood wasn't my style" - Live, "Voodoo Lady"