Do you believe in coincidence?

[sandrajo]

Do you think coincidences are just an accident, or evidence that our lives are dictated by a stronger purpose than we know?

[juju74]

i think that stronger purpose you talk of is our higher self and the more you ignore the more the coincidence will surprise you....cos it is there as a constant reminder...the true path that you should walk will always make you aware.....to ignore this will lead to unhappiness for your soul..... jay90

[jno]

'coincidence' just means 'happening together'. Think of all the gazillions of things that happen together and have absolutely no relationship to each other. Statistically, occasionally two related things will happen together, or near enough, but there's no reason to think it was 'meant to be' any more than there is when things aren't related.

[Fatoomfsh]

There were 2 people i went to school with that bumped into each other on bondai beach in Australia...just thought i'd share

[nobjob]

i believe that whats for you wont go by you !!!

[saintjohnny]

I doubt there's any "meaning" to it, because if you look at coincidences analytically, you can often see how two seemingly coincidental events happen together. Stuff just happens. What the hell.

[raysparx]

Hi sandrajo,

I believe what will be will be, when we are born we have an allotted time here, we think we control our destiny but every decision we make is for a route we are on,we just don't realise it, blimey I sound a bit wierd don't I !!!!!

[Champagne]

Coincidence is exactly what it says on the tin: coincidence. What you're talking about is fate, or providence, or divine intervention or destiny or whatever you want to call it. Yes, I sometimes believe in those things, depending on the situation. But if something is a coincidence then how can that be fate?

[Backdrifter]

Wise words from Champagne there.

We've come to use the term 'coincidence' to describe a happening that surprises us because we'd normally think it unlikely - like fatoomsh's schoolfriends encountering each other in Australia. It's a "what-are-the-chances-of-that" moment.

Often, the odds against the "coincidence" are pretty high, but this still doesn't make it a spooky or significant thing, even though we're tempted to think so. The old chestnut of course is "I was just thinking of this person.. and then they rang me!" but we never comment on the times we weren't thinking of them and they DIDN'T ring. Are those coincidences too?

So - yes, they are just happenings and no, they're not evidence of some "higher purpose." Which is a comforting thought - personally I find raysparx's "it's all predetermined" stuff not only ludicrous, but pretty horrible too.

[Pippa68]

Champers is right ~ you can't believe in fate and coincidence, it has to be one or the other..on the other hand, I *dismiss* things as coiincidence quite a lot, but I also believe in fate.

Oh, the dilemma!

[raysparx]

Hi Backdrifter,
you might find it ridiculous,does not mean it isn't so, if you are destined to live 1 year or 100 years,when your time is up it is up,you can't run,you can't hide, it is there it is destiny,youv;e gotta take it you can't ignore it !!!!

[Backdrifter]

Hello raysparx - by the same token, the fact that you believe it doesn't mean it IS so.

Perhaps you can explain it more - how you think we have an "allotted time" and a pre-destined path about which we can do nothing. Because at the moment, judging by your most recent post, it just sounds like you're reciting the lyrics of a really bad song.

I suppose it's a pretty good way of not having to take the blame for anything - "not my fault, it was predetermined, your honour."

[raysparx]

I will give you an instance of Destiny,

During the war,my dad was in the Navy he was supposed to go to on 6 different ships,on 4 occasions as he was walking onto the ships he was called off and put onto other ships, on one occasion he was late back, the ships had set off on the last occasion he was ill,and was to join the ship later, each of those ships was sunk,all crew lost,

Coincidence ? go away, Destiny ? yes, now tell me it isn't planned out for you .

[raysparx]

No i am not saying crime etc is an excuse,but how long we live is pre-determined,that is my belief, if we commit crime that is a choice in life span we have no choice,unless we commit suicide, but even then your time is up.

[raysparx]

Good talking to you Backdrifter, I gotta go to work,that is my destiny today, bye now

[Champagne]

Good example, ray. But who determines that it was destiny rather than an extremely lucky coincident? I think WE choose between the two. Coincidences are mere bizarre or lucky happenings. Fate and destiny has nothing to do with coincidence.

Damn this thread! I'm finding it really difficult to express what I mean!

[The Tree]

i think its weird when people make coincidences out to be mean more.thats all they are.they are a fact of life and will happen.and they only seem to really stick in your head in an unusual situation where its almost as if it could mean something but it doesnt.its still just a coincidence.they will always happen.they mean absolutely nothing

[Champagne]

Coincident??? 'Scuse the obvious spelling mistake there.

[Pippa68]

I know what you mean Champers ~ do we always consider *unlucky coincidences* to mean just that, whilst nice things that happen are *fate & destiny*?

[jno]

sounds like several hundred sailors died to prove ray's theory of fate. So was it just coincidence every single one of them got on a ship that was going to kill them? Or is that just what happens in wartime?

[LittleBishop]

Thats funny i ws about to post the same question