Great, fantastic, I don`t want to reply right now, I`m not done yet.
Let`s take time out though and examine some cruel jokes of nature, since I`m here.
First:
Down Syndrome. A genetic defect identified down to our chromosomes, it is actually caused when a child is formed with an extra 21st chromosone.
Some can and do lead active lives, some are a little too far gone. God`s plan? I doubt he could be so stupid and so should you. Prime example of genetic mutation. The 21st chromosome is not THE DEVIL.
Second:
Retardation through birth complications.
My Aunt, suffered a loss of her oxygen supply while being born. The umbilical cord was compressed for some time, and it was a messy, complicated birth. They revived her after being born, and ever since she has been mentally retarded.
She has no concept of time, doesn`t seem receptive to the idea of church and God despite attempts made against her. She does have a vocabulary likes to watch TV and is a pretty good bowler, beats me actually. And of course she can communicate but does so with crude, slurred speech.
I wondered at one time what a soul such as this would encounter upon Christian death. These, and victims of Downs who could not worship would not seem to fulfill the obligations God needs.
Let`s say they are accepted though.
Would they remain retarded? Or would God fix them? But if he did fix them wouldn`t they become other people? I guess I`d let you folks sort it out.
I stress that these examples are naturally occuring things.
Next with our knowledge of the body/mind relationship we can look at death bed visions.