Step Six

Take inventory of ourselves to discover any way in which we have hurt, disappointed, or abused anyone by our religious beliefs.

According to the law of karma, we bring upon ourselves inevitable results based upon our actions. I don’t know that I believe karma to be an unbreakable law but I do believe that we often reap what we sow. As we consider Step Six, it appears that what we are saying is that we examine our lives to determine whether we have hurt, disappointed, or abused people in the name of religion.

Perhaps we have, but perhaps we have not. But, maybe we have hurt, disappointed, or abused people in other ways and for other reasons. Some people view karma like the Christian/Judeo concept of an eye for an eye. But karma doesn’t always pay back—or reward back—in the exact manner in which it was given. We give money and, according to karma, we receive. But, not necessarily money. We might receive the things that money can buy, or more importantly, we might receive the things money can’t buy.
​
Personally, I know that I have abused people by my religious beliefs, and I have tried, and am still trying, to make amends. One of my goals now is to make sure I am not currently hurting anyone by my beliefs. Now my goal is healing and freedom.