I just answered a poll for the day on a random website.  The question: "Do you think things happen for a reason?"  I responded:; then it shows me the results of everyone else so far today.

There are only two scenarios I can come up with that are acceptable in my eyes for an affirmative statement to that question.  (1) Despite entropy and chaos, there is a tendency for there to occasionally arise order and structure from chaos.  This predilection is carried out in all areas of the universe and makes for some remarkable things to happen -- i.e. stars, diamonds, and self-replicating nucleic acids.  (2) In that we as humans are always seeking patterns and meaning, our perception is that there is meaning to what happens around us.  If we say that perception IS the only reality, then we can postulate that "things happen for a reason" in the eye of the beholder.