Lauren, this article touches on something (many things) really profound. So much to think about, I'm not sure where to start. I do think there's something there in nihilism that's serving a needed purpose, especially with young people. That burn out to find meaning in everything is so real. I feel it. I believe nihilism isn't the ultimate answer, but it's the one that's fulfilling a need. My thoughts then go to how can we fulfill that need, once we name it, in a way that doesn't "throw the baby out with the bathwater" i.e. get rid of all meaning. As I think about this a lot of my thoughts come from dialectic thinking. Dialectic thinking is something we don't have enough of in society, which might be able to fulfill a lot of our needs in a healthy way rather than a destructive way. It may be something else though, something new (or more likely very old we need to re-introduce ourselves to). Or in the spirit of dialectic though, it may be many things, and different things for different people.
Another point, the phrase "everything happens for a reason." has bothered me so much. The idea that God would let it all happen while in reality is "true" as he has the power to stop horrible things, goes further for some in God actually willing it to happen for his purposes. The fact he lets it happen doesn't mean he likes it or even wanted it. The Bible has all kinds of things happening God doesn't want or like. And even in knowing this (or perhaps we don't know) we rail about, "Why then, ohh Lord, why?" as if he's the only one making choices. He's not. Though he is in fact making choices, when to help and when not to, so when we find ourselves in the "not helping us" category (or at least feel we're there), this is where trusting in God's choices combined with the Christian belief "God will make all things new. Wipe away every tear," provides much needed comfort in times of distress. Yet often this doesn't guide us in what we do next, how we react to the reality, especially for people who do not believe in God, which is why I prefer the statement, "everything has a cause." It doesn't imply that the event (or cause) is good, right or even bad, it simply is. Often times, even in the childhood cancer example, knowing the cause can help us find a way through horrible situations and also allow us to repeat the wonderful ones.
Thank you so much for writing this. It got me thinking a lot about a lot. If anything is confusion ask me about it. I'd love to talk. Keep writing.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response, Julia! I agree that dialogue is a powerful tool. Effective dialogue can help build community and create common vision, which in turn can inspire hope.
I appreciate your reflections on theodicy. When it comes to reasons and causes, I think I still want to leave room for the absurd -- that is, for things that betray all attempts to make sense. I'm reminded of Rabbi Harold Kushner's remarkable little book When Bad Things Happen to Good People. He engages with the Job story as he wrestles with what it means for his young son to have a terminal illness, and concludes that some things happen for no reason. The prayer becomes, "God, help me through," instead of, "Why did you let this happen to me?"
Thanks again for being in conversation. I really appreciate you reading!
Lauren, this article touches on something (many things) really profound. So much to think about, I'm not sure where to start. I do think there's something there in nihilism that's serving a needed purpose, especially with young people. That burn out to find meaning in everything is so real. I feel it. I believe nihilism isn't the ultimate answer, but it's the one that's fulfilling a need. My thoughts then go to how can we fulfill that need, once we name it, in a way that doesn't "throw the baby out with the bathwater" i.e. get rid of all meaning. As I think about this a lot of my thoughts come from dialectic thinking. Dialectic thinking is something we don't have enough of in society, which might be able to fulfill a lot of our needs in a healthy way rather than a destructive way. It may be something else though, something new (or more likely very old we need to re-introduce ourselves to). Or in the spirit of dialectic though, it may be many things, and different things for different people.
Another point, the phrase "everything happens for a reason." has bothered me so much. The idea that God would let it all happen while in reality is "true" as he has the power to stop horrible things, goes further for some in God actually willing it to happen for his purposes. The fact he lets it happen doesn't mean he likes it or even wanted it. The Bible has all kinds of things happening God doesn't want or like. And even in knowing this (or perhaps we don't know) we rail about, "Why then, ohh Lord, why?" as if he's the only one making choices. He's not. Though he is in fact making choices, when to help and when not to, so when we find ourselves in the "not helping us" category (or at least feel we're there), this is where trusting in God's choices combined with the Christian belief "God will make all things new. Wipe away every tear," provides much needed comfort in times of distress. Yet often this doesn't guide us in what we do next, how we react to the reality, especially for people who do not believe in God, which is why I prefer the statement, "everything has a cause." It doesn't imply that the event (or cause) is good, right or even bad, it simply is. Often times, even in the childhood cancer example, knowing the cause can help us find a way through horrible situations and also allow us to repeat the wonderful ones.
Thank you so much for writing this. It got me thinking a lot about a lot. If anything is confusion ask me about it. I'd love to talk. Keep writing.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response, Julia! I agree that dialogue is a powerful tool. Effective dialogue can help build community and create common vision, which in turn can inspire hope.
I appreciate your reflections on theodicy. When it comes to reasons and causes, I think I still want to leave room for the absurd -- that is, for things that betray all attempts to make sense. I'm reminded of Rabbi Harold Kushner's remarkable little book When Bad Things Happen to Good People. He engages with the Job story as he wrestles with what it means for his young son to have a terminal illness, and concludes that some things happen for no reason. The prayer becomes, "God, help me through," instead of, "Why did you let this happen to me?"
Thanks again for being in conversation. I really appreciate you reading!