Another cliche question...?

Question

Sorry if I seem a little... sarcastic? Perhaps I am just mocking all the typical responses people hear when faced with religion, or, maybe I really do want to find the answer.

But another one, if everything happens for a reason, then how can there be free will? If you decide to take the left road, of your own free will, well, it was meant to happen. There was a reason for it. So... how does that tie in together? If you live a life of debauchery and sin, ...was that meant to happen as well? Did that happen for a reason? ...Or are people who give us that 'everything happens for a reason' just trying to get us to stop with the questions?

Any responses are welcome. Sarcastic, serious, enlightening, insulting (*ahem*beanerjr2002 ;P), etc.

Answer 1

Wow I love how you are so accepting of other peoples thoughts. I don't think your question mocks anyone and is a viable question.

I hear people say that a lot too, "everything happens..." but they usually say it after something has happened they didn't anticipate because of a choice they made or they don't recognize that it is because of a certain choice they made at an earlier time in their lives.

Someone printed a list of everyone that was not in the twin towers on 9-11 and it showed that something happened to delay them one way or another the reason for this is looked upon as intervention for it was not their time. we all are on a clock, and yes depending on the choices you make that clock can be extended or diminished. when they say there was a reason for it they mean there was a reason they chose this or that, that I'm with you on because we are supposed to be free agents making choices in life, but we also have someone looking over us, you must believe that, sometimes it doesn't feel like it because life not God has thrown you a curve this is the time you will feel His strength if you are to go on. I know I lost my husband, and through Jesus God has granted me strength and still is.

Also people who say everything happens for a reason cannot accept the loss at the moment so it is their way of dealing with their feelings of grief, everyone feals and handles grief differently, I grieved for Princess Diana, I had never met her, but she was a good person, loved for her acts of kindness and humanitarian aid all over the world.

Hope this wasn't too long.

Answer 2

Sounds like you are talking about the difference between 'free will' and 'destiny'. No matter which road you choose, there is something along that path, Now.....where you meant to experience those things? Maybe not God's will for your life, but YOU chose that path and because of this he always makes a way of escape.

Sometimes the 'reason' is so you will get back on the right road. It takes some longer than others and some NEVER make it back to the right path, but it was STILL their choice.

Answer 3

God is beyond the limitations of time, space and causation. But we are, and we think with these limitations. The real problem is that we cannot reason otherwise. I think that, before God created anyone, the rules of punishment and reward were first set. He didn't know who will go either way until he started making us, because He couldn't tell the future of nothing? Once one is brought into existence, then his future is known. We are free to choose our actions, not where we're going. Perhaps, clean living, not causing suffering and helping people is an indication that one is going to the rewards section. Personally, I'm still looking for another explanation.

Answer 4

Not everything is meant for a reason, rather God can use everything to accomplish His plan with the help of a little divine intervention now and then.

If everything was just left alone by God, the entire world would have become like it was at the time of Noah long ago, it is because of God's interactions with us that He manages to keep the faithful on course.

I do not know where that concept comes from, but it is certainly not a Christian concept.

Romans 8
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Answer 5

I believe in determinism without religion. There is no free will, we and our actions are preordained by a massive torrent of previously occuring collection of actions and reactions.
That having been said, I can 'defend' religious ideology here and say that simply because one knows the outcome, doesn't mean that the sequences of events which occur aren't being done of their own accord. I could do any number of experiments, know what the results will be before even doing it, but that doesn't mean that I am responsible for every nuance of the action which occurred within the context of the experiment, you see?

Answer 6

Okay, the most Historical person that I can think of that lead a debauched life was Caligula..what was his outcome? Have you seen what Meth addicts look like in a very short period of time? It's a lifestyle choice....They are examples of what not to become. That's my choice.

Answer 7

The very idea of "free will" trumps the notion of "God's Plan", just as the idea of Satan plotting and committing evil deeds in the world trumps the idea of an omnipotent, loving God.

Answer 8

I know it may seem hard to understand. God has aplan for our lives but it is up to us if we follow it. every time we chose the wrong choice he can give us another chance but if you chose to live a life of sin you will miss all the opertunitys God had for you.

Answer 9

"faced with religion" Just say No thank you. You don't have to believe. You don't have to MOCK either. If you live a live of debauchery, it was your choice. That's the whole point we all have choices. I respect yours. Please respect mine.

Answer 10

That's a good point.Do we have free will or is it all part of gods plan?
To me that is just another contradiction.