Do you believe that when a person is born with a genetic defect that God made them that way?

Question

Their parents tell them they are special. For example, dwarfism or if a person has Down Syndrome. Is this not just something that went wrong during the formation of the embryo? The world is not perfect yet.

Answer 1

The ultimate answer to this difficult question is that when Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis chapter 3), they brought evil, sickness, disease, and death into the world. Sin has been wreaking havoc on the human race ever since. Birth defects occur because of sin...not because of sins the parents or the baby have committed, but because of sin itself. The hard part of the question is why God allows people to be born with terrible birth defects and/or deformities. Why doesn't God prevent birth defects from occurring?

The book of Job deals with the issue of not understanding why God allows certain things to occur. God had allowed Satan to do everything he wanted to Job except kill him. What was Job’s reaction? “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15). “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21). Job didn’t understand why God had allowed the things He did, but he knew that God was good and therefore continued to trust in Him. Ultimately, that should be our reaction as well. God is good, just, loving, and merciful. Often things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. However, instead of doubting God's goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Ultimately, the answer to this question has to be “I don’t know.” We will never be able to fully understand God and His ways. It is wrong for us to question why God allows something to occur. We simply have to trust that He is loving, good, and merciful – just like Job did – even when the evidence seems to indicate the opposite. Sickness and disease are the result of sin. God provided the “cure” for sin in sending Jesus Christ to die for us (Romans 5:8). Once we are in heaven, we will be free from sickness, disease, and death. Until that day, we will have to deal with sin, its effects, and its consequences. We can praise God, though, that He can and will use birth defects and other tragedies for our good and His glory. John 9:2-3 declares, "His disciples asked Him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' 'Neither this man nor his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened so that the work of God may be displayed in his life."

Answer 2

Hmm...tough one. I am Catholic, and I used to believe the priests and nuns who said that God is completely in control and makes everything happen for a reason. However, since the tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I have come to realize that God is not completely in control or otherwise He wouldn't have let these disasters happen.

So, as far as a dwarf or a child with Down's Syndrome, I am inclined to believe that it was just something that went wrong during the formation of the embryo or a similar happening. I don't think that God makes people have dwarfism or Down's Syndrome on purpose; nor do I believe that He purposely gave me ADD or learning disabilities.

However, I know that God has given me the strength to accept myself the way you are and the ability to discover the gifts I have despite my disabiIities. I certainly believe He can help dwarves and people with Down's Syndrome the same way. I know people with Down's and other developmental disabilities who are able to hold steady jobs and have fufilling social relationships. Every single human has gifts and strengths, even those with disabilities. Read 1 Corininthians 12:4-26 to see what Paul had to say about different gifts and abilities.

Answer 3

We live in a sinful world. As a result many things go wrong.
While God allows things to happen, He is not necessarily the cause of them.

Yes, He could intervene, and correct a genetic defect, and sometimes we see that happen.

We do not at this time understand why God protects some and not others, and why some are born with a defect and others are not, even though they have similar lifestyles.

The important thing to remember is that God loves us, and gave his Son to die for us that we might live eternally with Him, in a new and perfect earth, where there sall be no more sickness or death or pain, and God himself will wipe away our tears. Revelation 21:1-5, Revelation 22: 1-7

God Bless You! The Goat

Answer 4

As the mom to a young boy with Down syndrome, and a Christian, I believe God made my son just the way he is. I also believe that like everyone else, my son was created in God's image and has a purpose in this world. I don't "blame" God, I thank him everyday for this amazing little child who has had a positive impact on everyone who has ever met him. I don't believe that there is something "wrong" with him just because he was born with an extra chromosome. Society puts those labels on people, not God. I believe there is something wrong with people who cannot look at a disabled person and accept them just as they would any other human being. My son, at 2 1/2, laughs, plays, cries, has temper tantrums, learns, and loves. How on earth could I think anything was wrong with that? His biggest challenge comes from people who are unwilling to accept differences and insisting on labeling him as someone who is somehow less deserving of respect and tolerance. And those people make choices to behave that way, God didn't make them that way, he gave them free will and they decided that ignorance and hate was the way to go and that those qualities somehow make them superior to a person who has different challenges to face.

God gave me the greatest gift in the world...my son. I will raise him to love himself just as he is. To take pride in his accomplishments, and to respect other people for their differences. I wish more parents who didn't have genetically enhanced children would do the same.

Answer 5

A person is born with a genetic defect because:
1. The genetic crap shoot that is called procreation.
2. One or both of the parents was exposed to a substance that causes birth defects.
3. The mother had some trauma that was transmitted to the embryo.

Answer 6

Once again, God is being blamed for something that went wrong. No doubt by a non-believer. Why doesn't everyone rember to Thank God during the profitable seasons and times of their lives.? Get a tax refund, don't think about God, huh? Having trouble paying the rent? Oh God! What will I do? these things happen mostly because of something we do. Drugs, disease, smoking, drinking, etc. Take responsibility for YOUR actions and stop blaming God!

Answer 7

No I do not believe that a deity 'made' them that way. It is biological not supernatural. Downs Syndrome runs in my family - there are two or three children every generation born with it and I have traced it back into the 1700's so I don't think a deity said hmmm I'll just give this family a few Downs kids every generation.

Answer 8

I think God make them that way, and they choose to be born like this, every person comes to life to learn lessons through the years they lived. A person with an impairment is a soul that decided to have a bigger challenge in this life to learn more, to achieve a higher level in their knowledge as a spirit. Those people are really special also their parents and family learn from them even though we can not understand it clearly.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, there are many cases of defects. This can be prevented. You can take tests to see if there is compatibility between both DNA, genes. If there is a risk, you can be told of this and choose NOT to conceive.

It is in NO way God's fault. Why would it be? God, gave us the intelligence, the ability and the resources to do right. We are the one's that choose to do what we do and the outcome isn't always favorable.

Answer 10

i am affected with a form of proportionate dwarfism (21 years old and shorter than most 7 year olds)....i don't know for sure why i am affected...but i think that God wanted me that way. i am not any more or less "special" than anyone else. i am glad to be a little person because that's just who i am. i can't imagine myself any other way.