Karma and Rebirth Multiple-Choice Quiz

. Johnson's primary goal in this chapter is to

show that karma cannot solve the problem of evil.

argue that it is reasonable to believe in reincarnation.

distinguish the Hindu and Buddhist notions of reincarnation.

raise several objections to the idea of reincarnation.

. Why, according to Johnson, are some people's miserable life chances a puzzle for many theists?

It is unclear why an omnipotent and perfectly good God would treat some people in a way that seems to cruel and unfair.

Most theistic religions teach that everybody is equal, even though they seem to be unequal in terms of their life chances.

The randomness of people's life chances violate the universal Law of Cause and Effect to which theists are committed.

Differences in people's life chances can only be explained by appealing to karma, which most theists do not believe in.

. Johnson uses the example of the great composer Johann Sebastian Bach to suggest that

heredity alone cannot explain why Bach's musical abilities were so much greater than any of his children's.

A person is born into the circumstances necessary for that person to fulfill his or her soul's potential.

Bach's family history and his education provide a complete explanation of his musical genius.

Once a soul achieves greatness in some way, it is released from the cycle of rebirth.

. Johnson argues that we should not be surprised that people cannot remember their past lives because

our memories do not even extend to the beginning of our current lives.

remembering past lives would be too traumatic for many people.

we would be born able to speak many languages if we remembered past lives.

the human brain cannot hold enough memories, so it must be wiped clean.

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