SB> I get downright mad at people who insist that anyone's troubles are the
SB> result of a lack of faith.  When my daughter died, a member of the
SB> grieving group run by the hospital had had absolute faith that his
SB> daughter would not die, and, when she did die, that she would be raised
SB> from the dead. It was hours after her death before he would turn her
SB> body over to the police. It is, after all, part of the human condition
SB> that we each die eventually (although some die much younger than
SB> others). This man had a double grief to deal with: the grief of his
SB> daughter's death, and the grief of his loss of God.  He was overwhelmed
SB> with sorrow and rage.  I don't know the final outcome of all this, but
SB> all those people who had kept insisting through the months of his
SB> daughter's dying that perfect faith can do anything had created a man
SB> dangerously close to murder and/or suicide.
That's a sad but too often true story.  I've long believed that a faith like 
that actually separates a person from God by expecting something that God may 
or may not be willing to do.  
I heard an interesting article recently (from the last issue of Mainstream 
Magazine) where a representative of an extremely conservative order of the 
Catholic Church said that people who were handicapped were that way as a 
punishment from God for the sins of "pre-marital sex" by the person's 
arents.
 
This message was moderated by Officials of the Church by saying that the 
Cardinal or Bishop who made the statement meant only those with AIDS.  
As someone who has long suffered with physical handicaps, I've always view 
them as challenges from God, to prove my strength, and my faith.  With 
n-laws
who are fundimental Christians, and knowing about them and their faith, I 
don't believe that they could have come through the life I've led with any 
semblence of sanity or faith in God.  (My wife agrees.)
My sympathies for the loss of your neice.  And I hope that her father can 
someday find his faith again.  
Dennis Martin
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