Reply #80: I can answer - not sure you'll like it.

[qwlauren35]

The characteristics that you ascribe to God are part of Christian doctrine, but there is nowhere in the doctrine where it says that God shall *always* intervene in human affairs, much as one might wish. Because this seems paradoxical to some, there is the phrase "God works in mysterious ways." Others simply accept that God does not always intervene, or that the ways that God may intervene may not be direct or apparent to anyone.

If the family believes that their child is in heaven, the thought is probably comforting. I truly hope that they can find some comfort somewhere to help them get through this ghastly reality.

I went to a funeral once, and the belief that a soul has been embraced by angels does seem to give comfort to those with strong Christian beliefs. It's truly beautiful imagery if you think about it.

The alternative, to have no beliefs, no answers, and just pain, would be too much for some people. Even the pragmatic response of knowing that the poor child is dead and can no longer suffer doesn't give much comfort either.

I hope that helps. But truly, if you haven't embraced the concept of God, it's probably unfathomable to be able to find comfort in much of anything when something of this magnitude happens.