SB> DM>As someone who has long suffered with physical handicaps, I've always 
vi
SB>   >them as challenges from God, to prove my strength, and my faith.  With 
i
SB>   >who are fundimental Christians, and knowing about them and their 
faith, 
SB>   >don't believe that they could have come through the life I've led with 
a
SB>   >semblence of sanity or faith in God.  (My wife agrees.)
SB> 
SB> Not all fundamentalist Christians have such extreme view points as the
SB> couple I mentioned in the grieving group.  I have fundamentalistic
SB> Christian friends who have been extremely supportive and understanding
SB> thorugh all the things I've been through, especially the death of my
SB> daughter; and who would *never* attribute troubles to lack of faith.  I
SB> am always hesitant to assign a personality trait to all the memebers of
SB> any group.
Sondra, that's precisely why I specify the "fundimentalists" that I know, 
rather than making a broad sweeping generalization about all "Funimentalist 
Christians."  
I've never experienced the Joy of having kids, so I've no idea what you went 
through losing your daughter.  Still, I hope I can understand.  It must be 
something like losing a leg though, (as I have).  
To me, faith is built by finding strength, where none is expected, and 
overcoming challenges.  I know many Fundimentalist people, and have a great 
respect for their beliefs, even though I don't share them.  The ones I have 
the problems with are those who don't respect, or try to understand my 
beliefs.  
This is what made the Native American unique from the European settlers.  The 
NA's were accepting to others ways of living, and didn't try to enforce 
changes in lifestyle to conform to a certain standard.  That could be a 
esson
well learned.
 * Origin: No Such Luck BBS, San Diego, CA. (619)583-5379 (1:202/810)