How Would You Answer Someone Who Said, "I Should Have Never Been Born"?

Hey Everyone,

Our conversation in another thread regarding DNA had me thinking of some specific times when I have heard people say, "I should have never been born."

Now of course I know the Christian answer that any one of us would give someone who says this: We would tell them that God had a purpose for their existence, and that He loves them and has a plan for their life.

But what about when the reasons why a person is feeling this way become a little more personal?

For example, I am very open about the fact that I am adopted and that there are no records about my biological parents or the circumstances. But one thing I do know that must be kept in mind when searching for one's history is that babies and children are usually not given away under good conditions.

I recently read an article about a 24-year-old man who is building a very successful career, and he decided to look into his background, seeing as he is biracial and adopted.

His investigation resulted in finding out that his existence came about because of a 25-year-old man setting his sights on a 14-year-old girl, and refusing to take no for an answer.

In other words, his birth was the result of the rape of a child, and as could be understood, this young man felt utterly devastated. He said, "I had hoped that at the very least, (the people who created me) had loved each other."

I have talked to others whose existence came about because of an extramarital affair, a forbidden marriage (or remarriage,) or even a crime.

This often leaves people feeling like they are a living mistake or that it is a sin just for them to exist because the circumstances surrounding their birth were wrong. Therefore, they conclude that they should have never been born.

What words of Christ's love and assurance can we give to people who are suffering because of this?

There's this tv show, I can't remember the name, where they investigate famous celebrities past ancestry. I only watched 2 episodes because I caught it while flipping channels, but in one episode it was a famous black actor, I can't remember who (sorry). And the investigation into old birth records showed that his like great-great-great grandmother gave birth at 13 to his great great grandmother, and that she had gotten pregnant by her slavemaster who was of course, caucasian. So he found out that he is part caucasian, and his DNA test results confirmed it.

We are supposed to identify with others

Hey Everyone,

Our conversation in another thread regarding DNA had me thinking of some specific times when I have heard people say, "I should have never been born."

Now of course I know the Christian answer that any one of us would give someone who says this: We would tell them that God had a purpose for their existence, and that He loves them and has a plan for their life.

But what about when the reasons why a person is feeling this way become a little more personal?

For example, I am very open about the fact that I am adopted and that there are no records about my biological parents or the circumstances. But one thing I do know that must be kept in mind when searching for one's history is that babies and children are usually not given away under good conditions.

I recently read an article about a 24-year-old man who is building a very successful career, and he decided to look into his background, seeing as he is biracial and adopted.

His investigation resulted in finding out that his existence came about because of a 25-year-old man setting his sights on a 14-year-old girl, and refusing to take no for an answer.

In other words, his birth was the result of the rape of a child, and as could be understood, this young man felt utterly devastated. He said, "I had hoped that at the very least, (the people who created me) had loved each other."

I have talked to others whose existence came about because of an extramarital affair, a forbidden marriage (or remarriage,) or even a crime.

This often leaves people feeling like they are a living mistake or that it is a sin just for them to exist because the circumstances surrounding their birth were wrong. Therefore, they conclude that they should have never been born.

What words of Christ's love and assurance can we give to people who are suffering because of this?

SPLINTER: What troubles you, my son?
DONATELLO: I don't know. I just always thought there'd be more to it... to the ooze... to, you know, us!
SPLINTER: I know.
DONATELLO: I always thought there'd be something. I thought we'd find out we were special.
SPLINTER: Do not confuse the specter of your origins with your present worth, my son.

Hey Everyone,

Our conversation in another thread regarding DNA had me thinking of some specific times when I have heard people say, "I should have never been born."

Now of course I know the Christian answer that any one of us would give someone who says this: We would tell them that God had a purpose for their existence, and that He loves them and has a plan for their life.

But what about when the reasons why a person is feeling this way become a little more personal?

For example, I am very open about the fact that I am adopted and that there are no records about my biological parents or the circumstances. But one thing I do know that must be kept in mind when searching for one's history is that babies and children are usually not given away under good conditions.

I recently read an article about a 24-year-old man who is building a very successful career, and he decided to look into his background, seeing as he is biracial and adopted.

His investigation resulted in finding out that his existence came about because of a 25-year-old man setting his sights on a 14-year-old girl, and refusing to take no for an answer.

In other words, his birth was the result of the rape of a child, and as could be understood, this young man felt utterly devastated. He said, "I had hoped that at the very least, (the people who created me) had loved each other."

I have talked to others whose existence came about because of an extramarital affair, a forbidden marriage (or remarriage,) or even a crime.

This often leaves people feeling like they are a living mistake or that it is a sin just for them to exist because the circumstances surrounding their birth were wrong. Therefore, they conclude that they should have never been born.

What words of Christ's love and assurance can we give to people who are suffering because of this?

Hey Everyone,

Our conversation in another thread regarding DNA had me thinking of some specific times when I have heard people say, "I should have never been born."

Now of course I know the Christian answer that any one of us would give someone who says this: We would tell them that God had a purpose for their existence, and that He loves them and has a plan for their life.

But what about when the reasons why a person is feeling this way become a little more personal?

For example, I am very open about the fact that I am adopted and that there are no records about my biological parents or the circumstances. But one thing I do know that must be kept in mind when searching for one's history is that babies and children are usually not given away under good conditions.

I recently read an article about a 24-year-old man who is building a very successful career, and he decided to look into his background, seeing as he is biracial and adopted.

His investigation resulted in finding out that his existence came about because of a 25-year-old man setting his sights on a 14-year-old girl, and refusing to take no for an answer.

In other words, his birth was the result of the rape of a child, and as could be understood, this young man felt utterly devastated. He said, "I had hoped that at the very least, (the people who created me) had loved each other."

I have talked to others whose existence came about because of an extramarital affair, a forbidden marriage (or remarriage,) or even a crime.

This often leaves people feeling like they are a living mistake or that it is a sin just for them to exist because the circumstances surrounding their birth were wrong. Therefore, they conclude that they should have never been born.

What words of Christ's love and assurance can we give to people who are suffering because of this?