things such as have happened to GGG's dd really make me wonder ...

[wannaBeWhateverIWannaBe]

... how people can believe there is a God.

I really don't want to offend, but I really do wonder, when such tragic events happen, how anyone can believe that there is a God out there who is good and does good things etc.

I'm not religious, but things like this just confirm to me why.

I couldn't suscribe to that soapbox, faith shouln't be about control, which that amonuts to.

To all of you....

have watched an age old friend go thru miscarriage, still-birth, and sudden infant death syndrome. I could'nt even begin to explain what she went thru. Can only say that she turned to a spiritual side, and not to God, but to clairvoyantship etc. I think it's whatever makes you cope in dark times. No right or wrong.

We're all rooting for GGG. I just wish I could be of some useful help......Feel so helpless. I wish there was something we could all do...............

Yorkiegirl, your posts have really struck a chord with me. My friend who lost her ds last yr wasn't religious beforehand - and certainly the church gave her very little comfort. One thing the lovely Baptist minister told her was that God had a lovely home waiting for her ds, but as she said he had the best of homes here, with his mummy and daddy and brothers.

Personally, I nearly lost my faith when I thought dd2 was going to die for the second time this year. But also over the past year I've come to a different understanding of God. If you believe in a God who answers this prayer but not that, who allows this illness to kill and this plane to crash but not that one, then that God is a monster. Free will works for me as an explanation for human evil but not for the meningitis bug or a tsunami. I now see God as the source of love, loving in all situations however awful, giving strength and light, sending angels - very often human ones - to minister to those in need. I believe the only reason I exist is because of love, and that love is eternal. But I believe God does only as much as he/she can - and that means not causing harm, but not preventing it either.

I'm not sure how long I will go on being able to call myself a Christian for, although I believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. I certainly lost my faith in the Church of England when my friend's ds died, not least because they allowed her to get into debt to pay for the funeral.

melsy, I have been where you have and I understand totally. You only make things worse if you try and confront the things that you are most afraid of. xxx

nearlythree - i hope dd2 is okay now...

Thank you so much, handlemecarefully, she is fine, she had two meningitis scares - the second one came the day after baby ds was born. But today I have three healthy and happy dcs tucked up in their beds, and we are truly blessed.

Having seen what my friend has gone through, I still find it unimaginable. My heart breaks every time I think of GGG and her little girl - dd2 is the same age. I just wish there was something I could do.

I haven't heard the GGG news. Can someone direct me to the thread?

Droile, ggg's 2 year old daughter died in her sleep a few days ago. There are two or three threads, and I'm pretty sure one of them is in active convos at the moment.

Have just found it, am in shock. ggg emailed me a lot last year and I can't believe this has happened. Thanks anorak