F... "Everything Happens for a Reason"

[Schneed10]

So I'm reading this TJ Duckett article on Redskins.com, and he says "I thought I'd be able to have more of an opportunity here, but it didn't work out that way. Everything happens for a reason, and I'll find out what that is."

I am SOOO tired of hearing the phrase "everything happens for a reason." Yeah TJ, there was a reason. Betts was better than you, that's why you didn't get an opportunity. This did not happen to you because fate is somehow directing you to a new team with a new opportunity.

I HATE the concept of fate, or that anything is predetermined, or that people don't control their own lives. One of the worst things in the world is to hear someone crying about how their boyfriend broke up with them, "but everything happens for a reason."

YEAH, IT DOES. The reason is he didn't want to date your ass anymore, not because God or fate has some master plan for you.

UGH. F that!

[BigSKINBauer]

i hate it because some people think it happens for a GOOD reason and lots of people feel everything will turn out good. I find it hard to think that way, but thats just me.

I'm not against thinking there is fate or thinking stuff is supposed to happen but I don't think all fate is good like some people think. Its just a way that people rationalize their problems or shortcomings

[724Skinsfan]

Whole-heartedly agree with this. Everything happens. Period. Not for a reason that is predetermined (IMO). I tend to have a positive outlook when something unfortunate does happen by saying "at least I have opportunity for something better now" but by no means do I think that it was supposed to be this way.

[MTK]

I'm not big on fate but one of my views on life is everything comes out in the wash. It's one of those small things that gets me through tough things sometimes. I just think well this shitty thing may have happened, but if you just plow through and keep chugging good things will happen. You learn and move on.

'Everything happens for a reason' isn't always to be taken literal, I think it's just something that people say sometimes when there's nothing left to say.

[djnemo65]

What I hate is when a guy scores a TD and then thanks Jesus, as if Jesus was watching the game and decided it was time for Keyshawn Johnson or whoever to take one to the house. Why doesn't anyone ever thank Jesus when they lose?

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

What I hate is when a guy scores a TD and then thanks Jesus, as if Jesus was watching the game and decided it was time for Keyshawn Johnson or whoever to take one to the house. Why doesn't anyone ever thank Jesus when they lose?

That reminds me of the Chris Rock CD skit where he plays a boxer that loses to the champ. The champ says "I'd like thank God for being in my corner" The loser then says something like "How the heck am I supposed to beat him AND GOD?"

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

What I hate is when a guy scores a TD and then thanks Jesus, as if Jesus was watching the game and decided it was time for Keyshawn Johnson or whoever to take one to the house. Why doesn't anyone ever thank Jesus when they lose?

This post is a vast oversimplification.

[BigSKINBauer]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

What I hate is when a guy scores a TD and then thanks Jesus, as if Jesus was watching the game and decided it was time for Keyshawn Johnson or whoever to take one to the house. Why doesn't anyone ever thank Jesus when they lose?

colbert did a skit on this on one of his "this week in god" segments. It was pretty funny as i remember.

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

This post is a vast oversimplification.

I guess I have to ask you to elaborate?

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

I guess I have to ask you to elaborate?

I would say that for the most part, the 'thanking God' celebrations are an act. It's just a way to draw attention to themselves after *they* just scored a TD. Those that are sincere in their gratitude are not thanking God for that one play. They are acknowledging what God has given them that allowed them to make such a play.

As for thanking/praising God when things aren't going your way, it does happen all the time. Joe Gibbs is a good example. It may not be as flamboyant as some sort of TD dance, but there is no doubt that it exists with some players.

[onlydarksets]

Schneed, are you religious? I would assume not, based on your post. For those who are religious, I think it's a statement of their faith. Of course, that opens a can of worms if we're talking about religion.

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

I would say that for the most part, the 'thanking God' celebrations are an act. It's just a way to draw attention to themselves after *they* just scored a TD. Those that are sincere in their gratitude are not thanking God for that one play. They are acknowledging what God has given them that allowed them to make such a play.

As for thanking/praising God when things aren't going your way, it does happen all the time. Joe Gibbs is a good example. It may not be as flamboyant as some sort of TD dance, but there is no doubt that it exists with some players.

Yeah, I completely agree. Gibbs is an example of a guy who, even though things are pretty bad, continues to give glory to God every chance he gets. Seems like that is more consistent with what Jesus actually teaches. Still, I wouldn't say it happens all the time. Gibbs is one hell of a guy, obviously, but I can't think of a single athlete off the top of my head who has thanked God after a loss. I'm sure Brunell probably has. It's rare though.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by onlydarksets

Schneed, are you religious? I would assume not, based on your post. For those who are religious, I think it's a statement of their faith. Of course, that opens a can of worms if we're talking about religion.

I'm not religious, no. But I do know a lot about Christianity (though that's just one religion). The Christian faith isn't about God and how He controls your life. It's about how He gives you the strength and courage in trying times to control your own life.

Let's not open the religious can of worms, because that's just going to involve people arguing about their core beliefs, which is pointless.

Religion and pre-determined fate are two separate things. You can be religious without thinking your life is planned out for you. So let's discuss them as separate issues.

[djnemo65]

BTW, I just read this the other day. Einstein, agreeing with most scientists of his day that free will was completely illusory, was said to take great comfort in knowing that everything was predetermined. It took the pressure off of what otherwise would be some pretty high stakes decisions. Something like that.

[onlydarksets]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I'm not religious, no. But I do know a lot about Christianity (though that's just one religion). The Christian faith isn't about God and how He controls your life. It's about how He gives you the strength and courage in trying times to control your own life.

Let's not open the religious can of worms, because that's just going to involve people arguing about their core beliefs, which is pointless.

Religion and pre-determined fate are two separate things. You can be religious without thinking your life is planned out for you. So let's discuss them as separate issues.

That's just not true. Many religions (Christianity included) believe their respective God possesses infinite intelligence (i.e., omniscience). With omniscience, everything that will happen is known. Thus, we are free to "choose", but, in fact, someone knows how it will all turn out. You can argue semantics, but a known ending, even if we believe we are "choosing" it, is fate.

It's a topic that confuses people far more intelligent than me, but certain religions are intertwined with fate. When someone says "Everything happens for a reason," it can often be a statement of faith.