As I've always said, "There is a fine line between fate and coincidence..." So I belive the answer is yes. I think EVERYTHING happens for a reason.

Everything happens for a reason. Coincidences do not really exist, it's all cause and effect. You perceive things as coincidences if you can't see the causes. That doesn't mean that the causes aren't there. That, however, doesn't mean that causes have any kind of meaning - it's still random, as far as you are concerned :-) Addendum: Hedonist wrote: 'You contradict yourself " Coincidences do not really exist...that doesn't mean they aren't there"' Unfortunately, I think you misread my answer. The word "it" didn't refer to "coincidences", but to "causes". I've rewritten the answer so as to make it clearer.

No coincidences do not happen for a reason. Incidents do because, as Lucas stated, they are a product of "cause and effect". A coincident is merely two or more incidents that happen at a similar time in a similar fashion.

Your class is far too broad for a single answer. Example: if two babies, both named John Smith, who never affect each other in any apparent way, are born at about the same time in two distant cities, both named Lakewood to parents who have no knowledge of each other... this is a coincidence. Only those who believe God (or "fate" or "the force"...) directs every detail of reality would assign reason to this coincidence. The possibility certainly exists that God indeed arranged this coincidence, but I would not assume so based just on these (invented) facts. Many coincidences actually have common causes. If I have mole-hills in my yard and so does my neighbor, that is probably not "just" a coincidence. The occurences are coincident, but they also likely share a common cause (the same mole or family of moles). The "reason" for this coincidence may be that the same moles that dig in my yard also dig in his yard. I doubt that I have addressed the kind of coincidence you had in mind, but that is part of my point - one answer is not adequate. I do believe that even remarkable coincidence is often inadequate to deduce intent of any kind. Many have been falsly accused of things based on circumstantial evidence that rests on unrelated coincidences, and I believe many have wrongly assumed they know God's will based on misguided interpretation of coincidental occurances.

The short answer is Yes. Your universe is trying real hard to come to grips with you. It has a worse time understanding you than the other way around. You should try to be personable with your universe. It is the only one you have and you haven't even introduced yourself. That is kinda rude, you know. Everything since before you were conceived has been a one sided relationship between you and it. Relax, it exists only as long as you do so it is ultimatly the only thing you can trust. YOu will enjoy the ride.

Its all about fate and yes it happens for a reason,sometimes you dont realise things that are right infront of you,so it takes a number of coincidences to jolt you awake.But it gets your attention doesnt it??In the end.:)

im not sure if they happen for a reason, and if they do, if we're capable of deducing their real meaning. but i have a weird comment, ive been having strange coincidences for the past few months or so. im often reading on the computer and watching/listening to TV at the same time. i would say a responsible and modest estimate would be that this experience happens 2-3 times per week. though i've had 3 today, thats why i hit google to see whats out there. but anyways like i was saying, i'll be randomly reading on the computer while the TV is talking, and someone on the TV will say a few words at the same moment that im reading them on the computer. i dont know what the reason is for these occurnces or even if there is one, but i DO KNOW that it happens to me frequently. i usually like to think its the universe/gods' way of confirming my existence somehow. ;-) but who knows...im just wondering if anyone else has a similar experience?? my email is reverselifeology@aol.com if you would like to talk about it sometime

your brain processes all of your senses.. thats how we take in this world.. the Tv may not have said it but you read it so thats what you heard... id say vice versa for the hearing and reading.. but you probly read the words over after and confirmed they were the same ones you read... also if you believe in coincidences and you act on them then they happen for a reason... because if you wouldn't have reacted the new outcome would never come. PS.. how do you even know anything we see, touch, smell, or feel is even real if your brain processes it all. How do we know its not all in our minds???

they can.. long explanation of karma's, deja vu's, comparable lifestyles/thought processes etc..

I dont believe in coincidences. I believe everything happens for a reason.

take mental disorders for example.. some people think they are in other worlds.. and to them that is THEIR world.. everyone perceives this world differently from the start also..

It wouldnt be a coincidence if it happened for a reason.

Yes.

This question results in answer that is a dichotomy. As I see it, we all have free will yet there still exists destiny. This takes place within a big-picture framework in which time as we know it does not exist. "Coincidences" enable us to see a connection to the divine and also give us an opportunity to choose paths at critical junctures in our earth-bound lives that otherwise we may have missed. "Coincidences" may be seen as sign posts that many either ignore or, due to innate belief systems, completely miss. It will serve one to keep one's eyes and heart open while living in awareness of the present moment, which is truly the only reality. Everything else is a memory interpreted or speculation of things that have yet to transpire...

Sometimes I think, yes and sometimes I think, no. I really believe coincidences do happen. For example, as Yess22 and Yeoux, I also have had similar experiences. Where they are happening for a reason I do not know. I wish they were because I a m constantly asking my self what the hell I am doing here and if there is a reason. If there is a reason for me being here, then coincidences can happen for a reason. Anyway, if it sounds confusing, it probably is as I am very confused right now,

If they did, they wouldn't be "co-incidences", no?! ;-)

they happen for 42 reasons... none of which i can figure out yet but sometimes they are truly amazing