Karma and the existence of God

 

Karma and the Omnipotent God

In the previous article, we saw how karma is inconsistent with reality by discussing the beginning of the Universe from both scientific as well as philosophical aspects. Moving forward from there we come across another startling discovery that questions the existence of a god in such a karmic system. From all that we know about the doctrine of Karma, we find that it is self-acting. In other words, it is not under the control of any God. Based on this, I have formulated the following argument:

• If karma is self-acting, it is not under the control of any God.
• If that is the case, then the so-called god in such a karmic system loses the characteristics of being omnipotent.
• But omnipotence is an essential property for God.
• Therefore, in such a karmic system he cannot be God.

Premise (1) can be supported by the fact that many gods (finite gods) are also under the sway of karma as much as human beings are. Brahman – the unknowable, the source of the universe is free from karma and rebirth. This leads us to conclude that the system is independent and self – acting.

Premise (2) stands tall in the light of the fact that if God is infinite and powerful, then he must be infinitely powerful (3). Here it is not implied that God can do what is contradictory. However, the creator of karma should be having his control over it as it is something that is designed by him. But Brahman is constantly portrayed as someone who is necessarily inactive (desire less / action less) so that he doesn’t come under the dominion of karma – which again is his creation as he is the source of all. Therefore any god in such a karmic system loses his characteristics of being omnipotent.

Thus, if any god loses the essential characteristics such as ‘Omnipotence’, then he cannot be God.

 

Karma and the moral order

 

Another problem that one faces in such a system are that of the foundation of morality. Brahman even though considered to be the source of the universe, is not talked about being the source of morality. He is referred to be someone above morality. The reason being that if he is involved in anything, then he comes under the dominion of Karma (Some have also come to suggest that Brahman shouldn’t be talked of as the creator of the universe to exempt him from Karma. This still has a lot of defeaters as we know that Universe was created – if Brahman didn’t then who did? Therefore we are left scratching our heads – where did morality come from? The solution is found in the moral argument:

• Moral law implies a Moral Lawgiver.
• There is an objective moral law.
• Therefore, there is an objective Moral lawgiver. [1]

This argument has been used to argue for the existence of God, but it also helps us in our cause in determining the foundation of morality. This argument teaches us that the existence of objective moral law proves the existence of a Moral lawgiver. In other words, God is the foundation for the moral law. This is completely contradictory to the Hindu belief that God is above morality. If anyone wants to disagree with this then they would have to refute the two premises.

 

If they argue that culture decides on the moral order, it becomes problematic because the moral principles between two cultures/groups will overlap each other. If that happens then we are left with subjective morals and not objective. If it is argued that desire for happiness is the basis for morality then it raises a lot of questions because humans tend to find happiness in diverse ways. We see people finding happiness in theft or sexually abusing others. This is still subjective to the core. What if the desire to flourish sets the standard for morality? It is again met with the same problems as mentioned above because to flourish there might be a situation wherein the eradication of certain people with mental illness is mandatory. But then it is not the right thing to do!

 

Conclusion

This makes a strong case that God is the foundation of morality which concurs with the God of the Bible and it also questions the existence of Brahman as he is failing to correspond with reality. Such a god in the Karmic system fails to exhibit his omnipotence and thus his Divinity.

 

[1] Geisler, Norman. 2011. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY. Minneapolis, MI: BethanyHouse