Does everything happen for a reason?

Merithyn

That's my mom's response whenever something doesn't go the way we hope it will. Do you believe this?

quirkytizzy

No. I refuse to believe that.

My life and its courses are not the result of some kind of cosmic scale. Bad things did not happen to me because they were supposed to. Bad things happened to me because sometimes bad **** just happens. Same for good things.

I believe in immediate cause and affect, but not "reasons."

Marcus on Babylon 5 put it perfectly. I'm paraphrasing here, but he said "If everything happens for a reason, then there's some awful reason why these - (motioning to a group of homeless and sick men) - people are in such pain. I much prefer to think that the Universe has a hands off approach than to think it was destined this way."

EDIT: The actual quote: " I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, 'wouldn't it be much worse if life *were* fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them?' So now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe. "

Bless Straczynski.

diodelcibo

Everything has something that causes it , but they can be good and bad.

ninerbuff

Things happen because they do.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

drmerc

there is a reason for everything happening

myofibril

No, life is essentially chaos.

mikeyboy

I believe it does.... but sometime we are the reason.

mlclarke22

I believe everything happens for a reason..although i dont always know why they happen the way they do.

neverstray

Everything does happen for a reason. Of course. But, I don't mean it the way your mom does.

It comes from a religious place for people that believe that god has a plan for you. Lol. I don't think those people ever read the bible. But, anyway, yeah, I got in an accident because that jerk cut me off. I stubbed my toe because I didn't pick up my foot all the way while taking a step. My wife left me because she thought she found someone better. My house fell apart in the earthquake. All reasons for things happening. Has nothing to do with predestiny though. At least, I don't believe that.

LucyT4dieting

I absolutely believe that everything (good and bad) happens for a reason. I don't know why, but sometimes, just sometimes, I find the reason, and it's always a revelation! Why did I stay in an unhappy marriage for so long? Who knows? There were many times that my ex was a source of strength in difficult situations in spite of the fact that he was an addict who was impossible to live with. If I had left him earlier, would I have found the love of my life who is my current husband? Maybe, maybe not! I respect everyone's right to a different opinion and belief, but looking back on how many of the events have played out in my life, I do believe this to be true.

perfectingpatti

I believe that all of life's happenings, whether good or bad, are meant for us to learn and grow. I believe that some good can come from all sufferings.

RhonndaJ

Everything does happen for a reason. Of course. But, I don't mean it the way your mom does.

It comes from a religious place for people that believe that god has a plan for you. Lol. I don't think those people ever read the bible. But, anyway, yeah, I got in an accident because that jerk cut me off. I stubbed my toe because I didn't pick up my foot all the way while taking a step. My wife left me because she thought she found someone better. My house fell apart in the earthquake. All reasons for things happening. Has nothing to do with predestiny though. At least, I don't believe that.

This. Without the judgement about not reading the bible.

RobfromLakewood

First off, I think the question is similar to "what's your favorite color?", an impossible to be wrong, but only possible to be right for yourself and others might agree. For example, my wife feels the opposite to what I do (and one of the reasons is rationale for our opposite views). That said, my feelings:

I assume when people say things happen for a reason, they are saying things were meant to happen, not cause. I believe things happen with cause, but not because they were meant to be. I believe in an omnipotent God (again, that's up top each person), but while all-powerful, not all-controlling. But for those people who read the Bible, I would hope you didn't skip over free will. So things happen, but not for me, not as a master plan, nor because it was meant to be or because you deserved it (though often our actions lead to just consequences).

My wife feels the opposite to this idea of things happening for a reason and one of the aspects we base our divergent views on, large fatality counts from airplane crashes. She views that it happened for a reason, though she is at piece not knowing the reason. I see no meant to be in a situation like that, just a reason (weather, poor equipment, pilot error, etc.).

DJJW

Bad things happen all the time, why dwell on the why. It is all about how you handle yourself through good time AND bad.
Sorry you are having a rough patch, hope it's a fast one.

WrenStory

I think it's similar to the saying "God works in mysterious ways" when what people really mean is: "It doesn't make sense."

Unless there is a supreme being manipulating the multiverse, I'm content to say some things happen for no reason at all. Many, in fact.

snoopytwins

If you ponder your life events, sure you can have a moment of epiphany that you may tie to the event as the reason for it happening. I believe that's merely coincide. The reason does not cause the event; however, the event may cause the reason...to those inclined to believe that.