Fate?
I have recently become slightly addicted to reading my horoscope. In The Star (my daily newspaper) the horoscopes are strategically placed directly next to the comics (my favourite daily read (I am such a child)), making it an induced necessity to peruse the two lines dedicated to predicting the Capricornian day. And in order to justify the few minutes I spend reading my horoscope, I shamelessly twist and distort the vague and nebulous words of the horoscope to fit my day.
Now, I am one of those who refuses to believe that our lives are at the cosmic mercy of some greater design, that we are fated to meet certain people, to have financial trouble at such-and-such time in our lives, to fall ill when this moon is in line with this planet and an asteroid passes in between, etc. ad insipidum. I am intensely wary of those who sincerely believe that people born at a certain time of the year share similar qualities and are inclined to lead similar lives. I do not believe in fate.
It is difficult for atheists and agnostics to believe in fate, because it, too, smacks somewhat of divine governance and deferential helplessness. We who do not believe in a God, would just as soon refuse to believe we are merely puppets of this thing called "fate". No one wants think they are merely frail little leaves at the complete mercy of the rapids, having no control over what happens when rapids rapidly become waterfalls.
But, damn it, in the past week my horoscope has predicted my exam results, my flurry of hospital visits to see my father, the confirmation of a vacation and my temporary financial trouble two days ago. Am I really so adept at twisting words?
Is it ideologically possible to have a theist who does not believe in fate? Or conversely, an atheist who believes everything is predestined?