Does "Everything Happen for a Reason?"
by Kathy Brown on June 24th, 2009 | 0 comments
The past few articles have addressed inconsistencies in the Secular Humanist's worldview. It is time to move on, but one more example is in order. Here is a common refrain heard from folks you may know and care about: "Everything happens for a reason."
Probably the comment is made when things have gone "wrong." It's a phrase that usually comes as a lament, although it may be delivered as a question. Either way, we usually nod in agreement. We emotionally put an arm around the declaration and hope for better things.
But wait just a minute. Let's zero in on the real meaning of such a remark. It has huge implications. If we begin with the idea that there is no Designer/Creator (Foundational Presupposition Chart), then we must conclude that nothing happens for a reason. Coming from a Secular Humanist perspective, all of life is haphazard and random. There is no one intelligent behind the curtain orchestrating this world or drawing out "goodness" from bad experiences.
Perhaps the utterance is made by someone who believes in "created evolution". This refers to a self-concocted idea that God created evolution (time + matter + chance). This, too, falls into the Secular Humanist belief construct. When God is defined by man, and not by God Himself, then man is the ultimate describer of God. Man has built God in his own image, quite like the idolatry found throughout the Bible and history. God claims He has revealed who He Is in the Bible. He doesn't leave room for an "every man for Himself" mentality.
So, logically, "everything happens for a reason" must flow from a beginning that acknowledges God governs the universe. For the Secular Humanist, a better exclamation might be: "nothing happens for a reason; but oh well, this situation might evolve into something better." Sounds great, until we realize that (according to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics) this isn't possible either.
Next entry: Once Upon a Time
Previous entry: What's a Mouse Doing in the Cookie Jar?
back to Blog Archive