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Does Everything Happen for a Reason?
Nov. 30th, 2007 06:20 amI completed -- and then deleted -- a Q&A meme last night. One of the questions stays with me, however: Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
No, I don't. Not on a grand, spiritual scale. I believe that some things are caused by a higher power, or a subtle purpose, but that most things are the result of mundane cause and effect. I don't believe that there are intentional "reasons" in the mind of a divine being behind disease, accidents, acts of nature, and/or most human accomplishments or follies.
I believe that, in general, humanity would rather believe in angry, vengeful deities who may or may not be propitiated, or who have a benevolent but obscure plan for everything and everyone, than facing the alternative: that the universe is a very big, very dangerous place, where anything can happen -- sometimes for the best, but often for the worst.
When faced with tragedy, it's easier to cope with the pain if you can believe it happened for a reason, possibly even a good one. "God called him/her home," is much more soothing than "This was a random, meaningless accident. There's no good reason why my loved one isn't here anymore." Or "God sent this sickness to help me grow and to learn to trust him more" rather than "We don't know what causes this painful, often fatal disease. You lost the lottery of chance."
I do believe that the Divine can help us transcend tragedy, can inspire growth, faith, courage, even heroism in the face of terrible things. But that doesn't mean that the tragedy was caused in order to have those effects. Likewise, I don't believe that the Divine is personally responsible for any and all good fortune or success.
The only reasons behind hurricanes, earthquakes, avalanches, and disease are the laws of nature -- including the natural consequences of human actions in a material world. The only reasons behind acts of terrorism and other violence are human fear, greed, and hatred. God does not set up these things like chess moves or patterns of dominoes to teach us lessons.
Are there exceptions? Almost certainly. (I try to avoid putting Deity into absolute boxes.) I've had experiences where I believe that there was divine influence. But I don't believe that it's everywhere or always.
No, I don't. Not on a grand, spiritual scale. I believe that some things are caused by a higher power, or a subtle purpose, but that most things are the result of mundane cause and effect. I don't believe that there are intentional "reasons" in the mind of a divine being behind disease, accidents, acts of nature, and/or most human accomplishments or follies.
I believe that, in general, humanity would rather believe in angry, vengeful deities who may or may not be propitiated, or who have a benevolent but obscure plan for everything and everyone, than facing the alternative: that the universe is a very big, very dangerous place, where anything can happen -- sometimes for the best, but often for the worst.
When faced with tragedy, it's easier to cope with the pain if you can believe it happened for a reason, possibly even a good one. "God called him/her home," is much more soothing than "This was a random, meaningless accident. There's no good reason why my loved one isn't here anymore." Or "God sent this sickness to help me grow and to learn to trust him more" rather than "We don't know what causes this painful, often fatal disease. You lost the lottery of chance."
I do believe that the Divine can help us transcend tragedy, can inspire growth, faith, courage, even heroism in the face of terrible things. But that doesn't mean that the tragedy was caused in order to have those effects. Likewise, I don't believe that the Divine is personally responsible for any and all good fortune or success.
The only reasons behind hurricanes, earthquakes, avalanches, and disease are the laws of nature -- including the natural consequences of human actions in a material world. The only reasons behind acts of terrorism and other violence are human fear, greed, and hatred. God does not set up these things like chess moves or patterns of dominoes to teach us lessons.
Are there exceptions? Almost certainly. (I try to avoid putting Deity into absolute boxes.) I've had experiences where I believe that there was divine influence. But I don't believe that it's everywhere or always.
