Have you ever asked yourself, does everything happen for a reason? I find myself always asking this question. Usually, I try to look on the bright side and say that, yeah, everything does happen for a reason. I, however, tend to look at that question in a different light than most. I often think of it as something along the lines of, “Why did this bad thing happen to me? Will something good come out of it?” Still, I was still interested in this question and the different viewpoints on it. This question is so interesting to me that I decided to look up and research different viewpoints and studies on the topic.
The first article I read on the topic was written by an ordinary blogger. He explains that all this notion is is wishing that something small had changed, or wishing that you had done something differently. He then goes on to tell that he understands where the notion comes from. He knows that everyone wants to believe in a well thought out and planned universe. But he himself thinks that believing “everything happens for a reason” is the wrong way to go about this idea.
He hates this phrase so much that he even goes on to say it is his least favorite set of words in the English language. He writes, “It is bad philosophy, bad theology, bad thinking, and bad advice. It manages to combine the maximum of ignorance with the maximum of arrogance,” (Clairmont). The author explains that thinking “everything happens for a reason” is wishful and they explain that the powers-that-be that make everything “happen for reason” must be an awful, cold, and horrible.
I found this very interesting because this man was looking at “everything happens for a reason” in a negative light. He thinks that people who believe this notion are trying to take responsibility off themselves. I do agree with him to some degree. But I also don’t believe that everyone thinks about this saying in such a negative light.
I’m someone who always tries to look on the bright side. I always use this phrase to guide me through life’s tough times. If something bad happens to me or a friend I always think, “Well this is happening for a reason). But now, after reading what Clairmont had to say, I see what he is saying. Some people could take advantage of this phrase and use it to excuse their terrible behavior.
I’ve always found this phrase quite interesting and after doing research on it, I honestly don’t know what I believe now! So, tell me, do you believe everything happens for a reason?
Read more about it by checking out this article.
