It is the only way to wrap their heads around something when they believe god controls everything, especially when they keep telling you how loving he is. I am so very sorry for your loss and no There is no explanation for this type of thing. My daughter has been through 2 different cancer battles but is so lucky because she made it through. For her this experience was what made her an Atheist

They don't really believe that! They only use it as an excuse for inexplicable problems in life. That way...they still get to appear ''trusting in the lord.''

"Why do people think. . . "

Error.

Your question should be "Why do theists (a subset of people) think. . . " Those I respect are not theists and do not consider terrible outcomes a part of "god's plan"

The theist's "God's plan" apology when terrible things happen to good people is to classic example religious doublethink.

To support their faith (belief without evidence) based claim "a god exists", the Christian apologist by definition must employ a litany of such irrational justifications in an attempt to "support the unsupportable".

So the "God's plan" is just another outcome of faith. (belief without evidence often defended against testable facts that contradict the faith based claim).

my condolences. she must have been very young. 'god's plan' is a bunch of BULLSHIT!! also when ppl say that you can take comfort in knowing that it's in god's hands is BULLSHIT!! i take no comfort when bad things happen to good people. my mother died of cancer and my dad died a year later with an aneurysm (97' and 98'... that's about when i started to stop believing in bullshit. i do visit them in my dreams though. i know it's not really them but while i'm dreaming it's nice. i'm in the same work that my dad was in (he was and i am a land surveyor)... in my dreams i sometimes wonder why we aren't working together....then i wake up.

Do they follow up with that insipid corrollary, "that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger?"
Thanks, asshat but I was strong enough already.

Because they want a reason for their suffering. I know I sure as hell wish my suffering was part of some bigger plan to make it worth it but noooo it's just bad luck

Sorry for your loss. I agree. The same thought goes for pediatric cancer. How can it be part of a plan for children to die??? Or any terminal illness? I was sexually molested by two men when I was 10 years old. It infuriates me when I hear shit like it’s part of the plan or god allows things because people can handle it.

It's not even in the Bible. Jesus told everyone healed during his ministry that THEIR faith healed them.

In Mark 11:23 Jesus said that anyone and anyTHING (the Greek pronoun includes all declensions) that tells a mountain to throw itself into the sea and believes it (the Greek word includes both conscious and subconscious levels) that the mountain must obey them.

No mention of a mountain being thrown into the sea, and no doubt causing tsunamis, being something good, or even "god's will" - just the idea being emphasized that you are creating your own reality.

“Consciousness is fundamental and matter is derived from consciousness." – Max Planck, theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory, 1918 Nobel Prize in Physics

Because they are weak minded and have a very casual relationship with reality

I think it's cognitive dissonance resolution. People who say things like that have bought into "god's plan", and when bad things happen, they have to lie to themselves to keep the belief strong. Anyone who will lie to herself will extrapolate that lie to anyone else feeling that pain in order to strengthen the resolution. It's psychotic, delusional Behavior. I don't think that people who will do such a thing are capable of considering the feelings of others. I am sorry for your loss, I know that time makes things a little easier, but it never makes the pain go away completely.

They have to above all have to have someone or something to blame!

Of course it's a lie.

Even the Christians who say that stuff didn't get it from the Bible, since they seldom read it.

Jesus always told people who were healed during his ministry that it was THEIR faith that healed them.

In Mark 11:23, he said that if anyone or "anything" (the Greek pronoun includes all declensions) tells a mountain to throw itself into the sea, and believes it (Greek word includes both conscious and unconscious thoughts), the mountain must obey.

No mention of god or of it being "god's will" for some mountain to fall into the sea, which could presumably cause tsunamis.

The idea being conveyed is that we are co-creators of our own universe..making our own reality.

“Consciousness is fundamental, and matter is derived from consciousness." – Max Planck, theoretical physicist who originated quantum theory, 1918 Nobel Prize in Physics

It's a conundrum for Christians. If their god is all powerful, he has power over evil and pain and suffering. They can try to blame it on some devil, but an all powerful god would also have power over the devil. So, it has to be part of some mysterious plan that we mere mortals cannot understand. I'm not that dumb.

Gonna go with "They're idiots."

God’s plan doesn’t have to be humane.

Ignorance. Sense of purpose.

Because it's an easy excuse to give as a way to avoid telling the truth which is that we can only play the hand we are delt.

Any one ever hear the term god-fearing?

They don't think their God is good... They know in their hearts he isn't...

They don't love him, they don't really understand how they feel about him.

They fear him...

So much so they offer up consent for unjust murder rather then challenge his will or doubt his power... The rest is just words.

First of all, I'm truly sorry for your loss. People live what they learn and we have to decide it if comes from a genuine emotion or not. I get the anger, I went thought it with the loss of my husband and mom. The people that knew my husband and mom were genuine about their feelings and used God and Jesus to as their coping mechanism, they used what they knew and I let it slide.

The only person I have control of is me. I choose how to act and react and only I will get the benefit or suffer the consequences for them. The people around me will either learn from me or ignore me. It is after all, their choice.

Offering empty platitudes eases their suffering when confronted with reality. Thoughts and prayers might fill someone's coffers, but will never benefit anyone in need.

I understand your pain and your thinking. there is No GOD and NO plan.

Because they secretly escaped the mental ward and are spread the virus of an invisible deity.

It is a platitude, makes them feel better for not actually doing anything or having anything thoughtful or empathetic to say.
They don't say it for your benefit they they simply don't want to admit their god who they are terrified of, is a c<>t

I think it reinforces the belief that they are not in control, and that god is the ultimate arbiter who doles out both rewards and punishments.

I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some comfort in the memories of happier times.

As for the why, well, like nearly all things regarding human behavior there is more nuance to be found in the why then most people care to admit.

Some people believe they are being tested. That the bad things in their life are meant as a challenge to be endured to prove their faith to themselves and others.

Some people believe dark forces have conspired against them in an attempt to undermine God's Plan. But they have faith that His plan will ultimately win out, even if they don't live to see it.

Some people believe they are surrendering control to Him as a way of coming to terms with the overall lack of control they have in life.

Some people belive the whole "acts in mysterious ways" line. They think that with His perspective on reality being so utterly alien to our own we can't possibly understand Him and his choices any more then a sick animal can understand why a veterinarian just stabbed it.

And these are just a few reasons why. There are almost as many reasons as belivers. Just remember that, by and large, the people who talk about Gods plan in the face of hardship and tragedy aren't trying to upset you. In their lives such a statement is meant to reassure and comfort. It's what they want to hear in those times because it helps them come to terms. So of course that's where their mind goes when trying to help others cope.