It was interesting hearing a commentator on one of the news stations concerning the recent Clinton Foundation controversy, and pay for play (quid pro quo). He stated that in politics, it is difficult to prove a cause and effect. It is the same with the Iranian hostage/ransom controversy. Sometimes the time interval of cause and effect are prolonged making the relationship difficult to connect; but sometimes like the hostage release/payment, it is immediate. In any case, either people do not see a relationship because of time, or simply do not care to see a connection even if two incidents occur one after the other.

In the Heaven’s Truth Church (Tenrikyo), God tells us that there is evil and good behavior in this world, and there is suffering and joy in the world. You see both, but you do not understand. We have lived in many mansions (bodies). Our actions of today manifest upon ourselves in the future, many times in our next reincarnation. God tells us to reflect on what happens every day, and accept whatever occurs in a positive manner. By the principle of cause and effect, this will bring upon a joyous future. God has given us control of our own destiny by our actions and thoughts of today.