dark side of karma

I live in a Buddhist country. The belief in karma is very pervasive here, not just as an interesting philosophy, but rather as a theology that influences many daily life decisions. As a Christian who comes from a non-Buddhist nation I previously thought of karma as an idea related to cause and effect, action and reaction, behavior and consequence. I can tell you from my brief time in Cambodia that it is much more.

The true belief in karma has a giant effect on someones view of themselves and their destiny. Though my understanding of karma seems to infer some control over one's destiny and the course of life, the reality of what this belief produces is very fatalistic. There seems to be a pervasive hopelessness that is hard to address because it is all tied up in how one views the world.

There is another thing I've observed. When one truly believes in the laws of karma there seems to be a lack of compassion for the circumstances of others. The sick and disabled are looked down upon because they likely did something in a past life to deserve their fate.

I was recently in a public place with a man who is living with a disability. He said nothing about it, but I noticed the looks and how he was treated. Essentially, it was as if he were cursed. I've noticed this in other circumstances with those suffering with HIV or other illnesses. There seems to be a dark side to karma that I was not previously aware. Working in this context, I am wondering how to overcome it. Suggestions?