I've read over this thread a few times to try and understand everyone's point of view.
I'm scientific at heart although have studied philosophy as well so I am open to idea's.
I like the "ingredients" idea put forward in the karma explanation. I can apply that to my own situation. I could have the best family, support system, and therapist available but if i'm not willing to put in the time, effort and tears then the outcome is likely to be poor. It's about how you deal with situations your in despite the poor hand you've been dealt. But it offers no explanation for why I was abused only how I deal with now.
The Law of Attraction is something that I find illogical and unmeasurable.
It suggests that you attract into your life what you think about. It also says that you see reality very differently to most people. Subjective reality, where everything and everyone in your reality are merely a projection of your own thoughts. You alone are the only "thinker" in your universe.
It goes as far as to suggest something physical can change purely by thought. The example I read suggested a letter thought to be a bill will in fact be a bill, however if you think strongly enough that it was in fact a cheque for money it would turn out to be just that.
Don't get me wrong I like the idea that positive thoughts will make things in the future more positive. But you can't only look at one side of the argument. CB is right to ask about the flip side of this. The bad things are explained by having negative intentions. That includes getting ill, dying of cancer, etc.
According to the Law of Attraction, the abused child did not intend for it to happen, however, 'you' intend child abuse to manifest and the more you think about it the more it will expand in your reality. It also says that children and babies don't have intentions only you have intentions of what happens to the children and babies in your reality. It makes no logical sense.
Cherryblossom, I don't see your comments as offensive at all. According to the law of attraction the fact that they were taken as such is because the person who found them offensive intended to find them that way!
Just my views on the subject.