TOW #7 "Does everything happen for a reason"- (Nonfiction Text)

Does everything happen for a reason? In this article Konica Banerjee and Paul Bloom try to discover the origin behind this belief in life’s meaning. In order to collect this information they interviewed several different people who fell under 2 categories; Atheists, and Religious believers. Their opinions of god differ greatly but their view on the phrase “everything happens for a reason” was surprisingly alike.  Believers in god relate this quote to the theory that god has a plan for us, and sends messages which reward the good and punish the bad. Atheist’s responses supported the belief that “life events happen for a reason because there is an underlying order that determines how life pans out.” The two authors of this article wanted scientific examples and went to the research department at the Yale Mind and Development Lab. They found out that the meaning in life events seem to reflect a more general aspect of human nature. After researching more on this topic they found the phrase “everything happens for a reason” to be very flawed. Some people may find it reassuring to think that even the most terrible of events reflect an unfolding plan. But this belief tilts us to the view that the world is a fair place, where the good are rewarded and the bad are punished. The authors then make us question this theory that if the bad are punished what about those seeing poverty, those suffering from a disease, and those who are victims of crime. Are all these people truly bad? Do we put blame on these people, and say that their suffering is because they were bad which is why they are being punished? The article made me think about this particularly; until I read this I was a strong believer in things happen for a reason. The authors purpose was to change your view point on this common theory and I believe their purpose was effective enough to change my mind. They supported their data with ethos from the Yale research department. Another effective device was the use of juxtaposition. The article started off with religious beliefs on this topic then moved towards an atheist point of view. These two opinions about the plan behind life were similar and then it moved on to a scientific point of view. This point of view was contrasting to the previous opinions. By the authors strategic use of juxtaposition they achieved their purpose effectively. After reading this article I now have a different perspective on everything happening for a reason.