Do You Believe In Fate?

[April_Rose]

I do myself because I believe in God and the fact that God has a plan for all of us and that some things are just meant to happen.

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

I guess it depends on your definition of "fate". I believe that God is in complete control, and while He just lets some things happen, He takes action to lead other things a certain direction. The Bible says "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him". God will make sure that anything that happens to us - even the bad things - will result in something positive. Even if it's just to teach us something about Him.

 

[eleos1954]

I do myself because I believe in God and the fact that God has a plan for all of us and that some things are just meant to happen.

Ephesians 1:11
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

 

[SigurdReginson]

Maybe not fate, exactly. I believe certain circumstances are more likely to unfold according to the senerios that surround you.

When things happen that shake up our lives, we adjust.

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

I believe in predestination, not fate. I voted no. God predestines us by changing our heart. Our actions reflect our will. Our destiny stems from our actions. God works all things toward his higher end.

Fate is more of an impersonal force that drives people toward an outcome, no matter what they want, or what they do. A fatalist would say that it doesn't matter what you do, because the outcome is fated. I don't believe that.

 

[April_Rose]

I believe in predestination, not fate. I voted no. God predestines us by changing our heart. Our actions reflect our will. Our destiny stems from our actions. God works all things toward his higher end.

Fate is more of an impersonal force that drives people toward an outcome, no matter what they want, or what they do. A fatalist would say that it doesn't matter what you do, because the outcome is fated. I don't believe that.

I'm not really sure what you mean. Could you maybe rephrase that?

 

[Going_Nowhere]

Neo answered this question in The Matrix. I feel the same way he does.

 

[Friedrich Rubinstein]

Neo answered this question in The Matrix. I feel the same way he does.

Isn't it liberating to know that a loving, all-powerful God is in control of your life and holds His hand above you? If humans were in full control and God didn't cause good things to happen then this earth would be hell itself. Maybe you don't like the expression "fate", but in my humble opinion we should be thankful for God having the final say.

 

[April_Rose]

 

[Aussie Pete]

I do myself because I believe in God and the fact that God has a plan for all of us and that some things are just meant to happen.

It's not "fate". God indeed has a plan for us. It's not automatic. We must cooperate in order for the plan to come to pass.

 

[thecolorsblend]

I do myself because I believe in God and the fact that God has a plan for all of us and that some things are just meant to happen.

It might be nitpicking. But I would say "purpose" rather than "plan".

On that basis, yes, I believe in fate.

 

[RushMAN]

I don't know. I do believe in free will and we choose but believe God has a purpose.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I do myself because I believe in God and the fact that God has a plan for all of us and that some things are just meant to happen.

Fate is a curious word for it. God does not do things because they are bound to happen, or even meant (apart from him) to happen. Everything that "happens" began with his creating. He is not subject to his creation, but is the first cause in the chain of causality. Fate is not the word for it. Predestination is.

 

[Mark Quayle]

I believe in predestination, not fate. I voted no. God predestines us by changing our heart. Our actions reflect our will. Our destiny stems from our actions. God works all things toward his higher end.

Fate is more of an impersonal force that drives people toward an outcome, no matter what they want, or what they do. A fatalist would say that it doesn't matter what you do, because the outcome is fated. I don't believe that.

Haha, in practice he is both right and wrong! If he cares not what he does, he accomplishes what was always going to happen. If he takes care to drive his destiny, he still accomplishes what was always going to happen.

Explain to me what is wrong with this construction: Whatever actually happens is the only thing that can happen, as history shows. There is no possibility for anything else, then, to happen in the future, but whatever WILL in fact happen.

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Haha, in practice he is both right and wrong! If he cares not what he does, he accomplishes what was always going to happen. If he takes care to drive his destiny, he still accomplishes what was always going to happen.

Explain to me what is wrong with this construction: Whatever actually happens is the only thing that can happen, as history shows. There is no possibility for anything else, then, to happen in the future, but whatever WILL in fact happen.

In terms of final outcome, I suppose there's no difference. Oedipus was fated to kill his father and marry his mother, but despite every effort to do otherwise, the outcome was the same. On the other hand, prophecy of the Bible usually has a contingency to it, based on the response of the hearer, and the outcome is a result of the response. One gets a sense of futility from fatalism not found in predestination.

 

[Mark Quayle]

In terms of final outcome, I suppose there's no difference. Oedipus was fated to kill his father and marry his mother, but despite every effort to do otherwise, the outcome was the same. On the other hand, prophecy of the Bible usually has a contingency to it, based on the response of the hearer, and the outcome is a result of the response. One gets a sense of futility from fatalism not found in predestination.

Agreed --in fact, God says outright that he was going to wipe them out (like in the story of Jonah) if they did not repent. I have no doubt that it was a possibility --my "construction" was a smart-mouthing to make a point: that nobody yet can master probability, but God, and, of course, that in spite of anything else we might suppose, only one thing ever happens, as far as we know. Chance has nothing to do with it. God doesn't wring his hands worrying.

Even in the matter of how one "attains" Salvation --I have no doubt the offer is valid, that if a fallen person could "receive" Christ of his own volition, he would be saved, but that won't happen. Likewise, the Old Testament offer of Heaven through works/ obedience --but Christ is the only one who obeyed perfectly.

 

[angelsaroundme]

I believe that at minimum God destines and puts together certain events.

 

[Sunshinee777]

I do myself because I believe in God and the fact that God has a plan for all of us and that some things are just meant to happen.

I agree 100%

 

[Mark Quayle]

I do myself because I believe in God and the fact that God has a plan for all of us and that some things are just meant to happen.

Everything is meant to happen. By God, who uses every intention, bad or good, for good to those he has chosen.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I do myself because I believe in God and the fact that God has a plan for all of us and that some things are just meant to happen.

I don't. I get the sense God has a plan, and some things just are, but there are a lot of things that are based on our own personal choices.

So it's not quite so simplistic as "fate" since we are instructed to pray "may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" which means it isn't. So we pray.

Sometimes people choose to not pray for people who spitefully use them, and the world isn't any better for it.