Why do theists get so hung up on wanting there to be reasons for things to happen?

Question

I'm sure that we all want to understand the universe as best we can, but why should there be a reason for existence?

Things that happen in nature will invariably have cause and effect, but why search for a purpose to life, the universe and everything?

What's wrong with accepting it, and trying to understand the nature of what it "is" before looking at the "why"?

Answer 1

in one word FUNDING

Answer 2

For the same reason atheists do the same....understanding. Looking for answers from a religious perspective to a theist is no different than looking for answers on a scientific level for a non-believer. I think most "theists" can look at both a religious meaning and a scientific understanding in all things. A dual perspective can open new doors on both fronts. Understanding that God has a hand over all things and that there is a science involved is a good way to broaden horizons and open ones mind. I do not reject any ideas that someone may have before completely hearing that person out, I know that does fly in the face of both believer sand non-believers but I believe a lot can be learned from both sides.

Answer 3

I think this is a chicken and egg question. I believe a lot of people fail to understand or accept things for what they are. The rain falls on the wicked and the righteous. Or rain is just rain and not always the result of a sin or some Devinne intervention. The vicissitudes of life exist independent of our action or of God's intervention. Accepting things as the are especially in the Taoist sense would be a healthy new psychological, intellectual or spiritual tool for many people religious or not to use in understanding or just accepting things.

That said the idea of cause and effect is not just a theist notion. As you pointed out in science every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In Christianity "you reap what you sow, then their is the idea of Karma, and the folk wisdom of what goes around comes around, or you get what you pay for. In fact in almost all philosophical, religious, behavior sciences, natural sciences and physics there is a similar thread of doctrine of cause and effect. The problem is when this idea is applied to every situation or misapplied to a situation do to a lack of facts.

In our quest for knowledge and growth sometimes we need to understand and and accept what "is" but this does not preclude the need for asking why at other times. In many faiths part of the foundation of the belief system is based on the purpose for our existence. This is not a search for why we exist, but an accepted tenet upon which other parts of the belief system are based. It provides a meta-narrative to frame other beliefs and more importantly to guide what one hopes is a fulfilling life of moral behavior.

IMHO
R Philip Reynolds

Answer 4

I believe that everything happens for a reason. It doesn't have to be related to religion. Man has been questioning his purpose here on earth since the beginning of time. That's why religions were created. It gives answers to those who are willing to accept them. This doesn't make them the right answers. There's nothing wrong with accepting what happens. Some people feel they need guidance to understand the world around them.

I have to say it.....some religious folks don't think for themselves. They live by faith blindly. Everyone is curious by nature. It's how they seek the answers that makes a difference.

Answer 5

You ask with the presumption that there is no reason for things to happen, or for existance. Of course there's a reason! Even if you're an atheist, there's a hungry search for the WHYS of life and existance. Your lack of belief doesn't make you any less or more than someone of belief, and it certainly doesn't make you better or smarter. My question is, why does it bother you that theists find meaning and peace and reason in believing in God? And why do you automatically assume that means that they're weak and unintelligent?

Answer 6

Because unlike animals, we have the power and capability of deliberate thought. The reason, purpose, and why for anything is the logical outcome of such thought for those inclined to ask and use it. Asking the purpose of anything helps to set goals. What's the purpose of education? To get a better job? An assigned parking space?


Why do you continuously assume things about theists that are always found to be baseless? What's the purpose of that?

Answer 7

They've been trained to think that way, but selectively. They think certain things have purpose (such as humans) but not the mold that collects in their basements, or the termites that infest their walls, or the ants that find their way into their kitchens, or the mosquitoes that bite them while they're playing outside new still waters. They don't care if roaches have been on earth longer than humans, they just don't want them in their houses and will kill each and every one of them, no questions asked.

Basically, everything having a reason or purpose is dependent on how beneficial it is to them. They have selective memories and selective morals. They just claim that everything has a purpose. If you need proof, ask them how a straight couple ends up with a gay child, and if that child's homosexuality has a purpose for any of their lives.

Answer 8

Its human nature to ask "why?". The people you are mentioning have a specific mindset, however. They assume that there has to be a cause for their to be an effect. If they don't understand the cause because it is far too complex then sometimes their answer becomes "God did it" - God is the "cause" for the effect. I think we all should be more concerned with worrying about what is going on in this world as we aren't in the "next one" yet.

Answer 9

Why wouldn't you want reasons? I'd rather be more educated on what really goes on in the world than to be close minded and think that everything is because of god.

Being educated makes me feel more secure. When I don't know something it makes me uncomfortable

Answer 10

I love your last question.

What's wrong with all of us accepting one another's beliefs without trying to prove who is right and who is wrong?

No one is any better than anyone else.

It is pointless to ask questions about where a dog gets morals, etc.
Those kind of questions only make the person asking look immature.

Answer 11

It come from their world view. If you have no faith in God then you cannot accept that you will not have all answers although all answers are there we just do not have the detail.

Unfortunately, the more they go into detail the more they get stuck to... for instance why was there a big bang in the first place and what purpose was it intended to serve. Who or what started it......etc