Why does the idea of everything having a rational explanation terrify you so much?

Question

"I believe everything happens for a reason."

"I'll leave it in the hands of the almighty."

"What comes around goes around."

"If I pray hard enough, _____ will answer my prayer."

"I'll check my horoscope."

Why do people cling to the idea that there are unseen mystical forces at work in their lives? I honestly don't get it. I find the idea of surrendering control to something no one can prove, or to an incomprehensible force, or to the concept of fortune/luck/chance, far more frightening than the alternative - that we alone are responsible for what happens to each other, and this world. Magic is fine for entertainment, but after the show, you know it was all an act.

If you ask me, they're all just elaborate rationalizations to avoid the cold, hard, unpleasant realities of life.

Now watch, some clever person will say that god is using this forum and my atheist fingers to deliver his messages to people.

Answer 1

you're right, you don't get it. Since you don't get it your normal reaction is to try and disprove it. That way you can remain in your comfort zone of logic and order. It is pretty normal behavior for anyone who does not get it

Answer 2

First off, I must disagree that "Everything" has a rational explanation. Some things defy logical analysis. As far as people's beliefs regarding the things they don't yet understand that DO have a proven rational reason, it's been that way since the recorded history began. "God did it" is soooo much easier than running about screaming the sky is falling.
The fact is, we ARE NOT IN CONTROL of everything that happens in the world, or our lives, and it's that knowledge that causes people to seek out a way to feel better about that. Something is better than nothing, and "the cold hard unpleasant realities of life" can be met with a positive outlook.
Granted, sometimes coping with life is easier if we take the time and effort to discover if there are valid reasons for life's obstacles, and "faith" is often a cop out to doing that work. Stoic acceptance of the world "as it is" is a poor substitute for seeing life as it SHOULD be, and helping in our small ways whatever they are, to bring that type of world into reality.
"Life as it is. I've seen life as it is, I've been a soldier, and a slave. I've seen all of God's noblest creatures and thier murderous ways towards thier fellow men, the moans of bundles of filth in the street. I've seen men die in battle, or more slowly under the lash in Africa. They all died despairing, only in thier eyes, asking why. I do not think they were asking why they were dying, but rather why they had ever lived. Who knows where madness lies...perhaps too much sanity is madness, maybe seeking treasure where thier is only trash..this may be madness. But maddest of all, to see "life as it is" and not as it SHOULD be".

Answer 3

Let me answer that with a question of my own. Why do you have such a problem with one of those "rational explanations" involving a Prime Mover? Doesn't Newton's first law of motion seem to indicate that every motion is caused? I'm not saying that God directly causes everything, but that He is the Unmoved Mover (he's infinite, therefore He cannot be moved.)

But then again, I also believe that sense experience is trustworthy and that we can gain true knowledge from it, that there is a fundamental difference between the living and the non-living that cannot simply be resolved by material causes, that there is absolute truth out there that is knowable to us, and finally, that faith and reason *complement* each other.

Answer 4

What is really irrational is closing your mind to any possibility other than the one that presently fits into your human, by definition limited, horizon. That is a dead end even in science which requires consideration of things beyond what are presently possible.
Because something is unseen, that is subject to the human eye or the other senses, does not, per se, mean it does not exist. For example, the human eye cannot see the full spectrum of light and the ear cannot hear the full range of sound. I wonder what else there is that we simply cannot fathom yet. God maybe?

Answer 5

God is using this forum and your atheist fingers to...

Just kidding.

I don't "cling to the idea" of anything. I can't prove God to you, but He's proven Himself to me.

We absolutely ARE responsible to eachother and our world. There's no begging off of that, as a Christian. God left us in charge here. Now, by saying that, I'm not implying that God has just taken His hands off and is watching from afar. I'm saying that He's not sitting up there holding the joystick and controlling us like robots. He's left us with free will. And we're accountable for that.

We ALL have to deal with the "cold, hard, unpleasant realities" of life. I don't have to deal with mine alone. That sounds like bs to you, but it's my reality. I wish you knew.

I wish Tex knew, too. I live with hope, not fear. And I will always have that, regardless of circumstances.

And it's too bad that Cassie and the smiley girl have nothing better to contribute than to call what they don't understand "weak-minded" and accuse believers of "irrationality...psychological disturbances....low intellect and inability to reason..." I'd think, since they're so intellectually and psychologically superior, they could at least offer an intelligent comment. It doesn't take a great mind to hurl insults.

Answer 6

what makes you so sure its unseen, for everyone?

wether you can or not, for some people, its NOT so unseen or incomprehensible, but simply part of life.

*sometimes* the most rational explanation *is* the metaphysical one. have you *heard* some of the "rational" absurditys that people have come up with to avoid accepting metaphysical things?

you say "If you ask me, they're all just elaborate rationalizations to avoid the cold, hard, unpleasant realities of life."

i say, that your insisting that we're alone, unmonitored, and that theres no greater scheme, is the result of fearful avoidance of there being purpose, and responsibility to existance.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Without the mechanisms of fantasy, people would have to rely on either the hope that they will one day find out most things through science or that they'll go without an answer forever.. in humility and in honestly.

I'm guessing it's the "humility and honesty" option they're willing to scrap in order to have the security of something to believe right now.

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Answer 9

Honestly I couldn't tell you why. I guess people are terrified of death, and find an alternative and believe they will continue to exist and live.

I think that's find I respect that. I don't let religion stop me from living, I don't let it hold back from letting me take certain actions.

Answer 10

They can only see out a very narrow line of vision. Anything outside of that narrow vision is frightening.

I think they believe they have to be policed by the church or they will slide and end up in their idea of hell. It is ludicrous.

How sad to live in such fear!