The Lie of Karma
Centuries ago, when faced with growing unrest amongst the common populace, the church and aristocrats (keeping in mind there has been a fair amount of overlap between those two) sold the idea that everyone would get what they deserve… eventually. They told the masses that their hard work would pay off… in Heaven. And that the poorer they were on Earth, the better off they would in in the afterlife.
Notice, though, that none of them rushed to reduce their own circumstances. They were willing to take their chances being rich in the worldly way.
If and when those commoners wanted to see justice done, they were told it would happen… after they died, when God judged them. Today, the idea of karma is much the same: you may not get to witness the person who wronged you’s downfall, but you can rest assured it’s coming. Because everyone gets what they deserve, right?
Longtime readers of mine will recognize my skepticism regarding—if not outright disdain for—the idea of a meritocracy. In America in particular, the idea of hard work always paying off in the end is a favorite. And a lie. But many of us still want to believe it, even relishing the idea of every asshole getting their just desserts.
Over time, though, there’s been a bit of a shift. Towards a sadistic desire to see people get what we think they deserve. And this spark has been fanned by those who encourage hate. “Why wait?” these instigators ask a ravenous populace. “Let’s pass judgement now.” These people will tell you they are acting in God’s name. They want you to believe they know what God wants. They will interpret the bible for you and warn you against “leaning on your own understanding,” though why we should lean on theirs is unclear. Some will say it’s because they went to bible college (but then also tell you not to pursue higher education). Some will say they were “called by God” to teach, but no one else heard the holy telephone ring. (These are the same people who excuse everything they do with “God told me” or “God put on my heart,” and it’s always magically the exact thing they wanted to do or another thing that will make them money.)
Because, friends, these are also the church and the aristocrats, recast for a modern world. And there is still a lot of overlap. How many of these megachurch pastors have millions? And still demand you send in more. If you don’t, they warn, that afterlife won’t be so glorious. Meanwhile, as you scrape together your tithe, they continue to live well in this life. They’ll say it’s because God has blessed them, and that they can’t spread the good word without a private jet. They’ll also dangle the carrot of you also becoming wealthy, so long as you keep giving your money away to the church. Yet they seem to stay wealthy by hoarding rather than giving. Hmm.
As for judgement, it’s the old bread-and-circuses routine. Pit the lower classes against one another. Provide spectacle. Keep them entertained and distracted and they won’t have the time, energy, or inclination to unite against you (“you” being the oligarchs and theologarchs). They’ll be so busy fighting one another in the bloody arena, you’ll be able to sit on high and enjoy the show.
The goal now is the same as it’s ever been: keep the common population submissive by whatever means necessary. Tell them whatever they want to hear, whatever will keep them at bay. Make promises that can’t be actualized (i.e., a rich afterlife), or at the very least aren’t funded by more than cheap words. Turn them against one another and sanction that violence so that it isn’t turned on the ruling class. The commoners want to see someone pay for their suffering, so (a) promise wrongdoers will pay, someday, even if the plebs never get to see it for themselves, and/or (b) give them a proxy, someone else to hate and fear, and then give them the showy bloodbath they’re calling for. Ideally, this will satisfy the populace, sate them, and they’ll accept the status quo.
Don’t be distracted.