There is no Scriptural basis whatsoever. This is just a pious-sounding superstition. (Superstition: Any supernatural belief that has no basis in Scripture.) For that matter, Scripture never says we become angels; Jesus said that the resurrected are LIKE the angels. It is Mormon, not Trinitarian Christian, theology that some people (unmarried women, I think) become angels when they die.

Its just an expression usually used when someone known as being particularly kind, warm, or well loved in general dies.

There's no scriptural basis at all....actually people DO NOT become angles, angels are ministering servant, Humans are friends and sons (and daughters)...or enemies

i believe people say it to makes themselves and others feel better about that person being gone.

I saw a few answers that were fact! Nowhere in the Bible does it say any such thing, and in fact, it says quite the opposite! When we die, we know nothing. We don't dream, we don't go straight to Heaven (though either Heaven or the second ressurection would be your next concious thought),it's like a deep sleep. Remember where Jesus compared Lazarus to being assleep. In other scripture, it is rreferred to as sleeping the sleep of death. A few very important scriptures supporting this truth and debunking other teaching that you go straight to Heaven or what not are these...2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. and...Ecc 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. I hope this has helped! foundthisone@yahoo.com

People tell themselves anything that makes them feel good

Death sucks but it is inevitable. When the victim is young or well loved it particularly sucks. Many people say things out of sympathy or shock that have no rational truth but helps to comfort themselves and others. It is nice thought even if it is not biblical or factually accurate. I would rather think that the loved one became an angel rather than rotting in a grave. It's not true but who cares about the truth when tragedy strikes?

There seems to be no method to god's madness

Not much scriptural basis for this. There are a lot of Bible followers who point at this everywhere. The Catholics support generally the mere belief in angels more than evangelic Christians do. 1) "This evening, I want to talk about the lessons we learn from loss. And the firstthing you learn in the midst of loss is how desperate people are to give meaningto it.The woman’s comment about God needing another tenor in the heavenly choirreminds me of many of the awful remarks I’ve heard from people at funeral homes. Indeed, sometimes I wish there was a sign at the door of every funeral home that read, “Tell us your favorite memory. Tell us you miss them. Then be quiet.” Instead, too many people try to give meaning to tragedy.They say things like “God must have needed another angel.” Or “they’re nolonger in pain.” Well intentioned people say, “They’re in a better place” or “it’s all in God’s plan,” or my least favorite, “The Lord gives and the Lord takesaway.” I used to think these statements were offered as words of comfort, butI’m not so certain. I’ve begun to wonder if they are really attempts to distanceourselves from the randomness and painfulness of loss. If we can pretend theloss isn’t a loss, then we can ignore the pain. If we can figure out its meaning,maybe we can avoid it. The problem with most of what we offer as words of comfort is that they aren’tall that comforting. Much of it isn’t true or is highly speculative. For instance,when people suggest God needed another angel I always want to ask where they got the idea that people become angels. That isn’t in the Bible. People arepeople and angels are angels.And why would God need angels or tenors or whatever? Why do we think Godis so needy? If God is all powerful, what could God possibly need? If you’regoing to involve God in someone’s loss, you at least ought to know your Bibleand understand some basic theology." Source and further information: http://media.libsyn.com/media/grace4all/8-14-08_LEARNING_FROM_LOSS.pdf http://cdn1.libsyn.com/grace4all/8-14-08_LEARNING_FROM_LOSS.pdf "Misconceptions people have or stupid things people say when a child dies. • “God must have needed another angel in heaven, and that’s why he took David.” I don’t believe that for a minute, and neither should you. I don’t know if I could love a God or trust a God who would cause such immense earthly pain for his heavenly pleasure." Source and further information: http://www.lectionary.org/Funerals/Molin_Myths.htm "What Not to Say - 1. God must have needed another angel 2. God must have a plan in this 3. “You know they are in a better place.” 4. Everything happens for a reason (People have different theologies. Don’t try to be a theologian unless you are one. They may want to have those conversations with you, but if so, do it at their prompting/invitation.)" Source and further information: http://www.cbfnc.org/pmimages/Grief%20Situations%20handout%20revised.pdf "What NOT to say (some of these may be comforting to YOU or sound like they would be comforting to YOU but may parents report that these types of sentiments often do not provide comfort at this time: [...] -- God must have needed another angel up in heaven. Many parents would rather have their babies with them. This may be comforting for some parents, but many are struggling with their feelings towards God right now." Source and further information: http://atlantapnl.com/sp.aspx Further information: - "Does God take children to become angels in heaven?": http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090319203035AAPc4oS - "Did you know that God needs constant reassurance?": http://openatheism.com/2008/06/16/did-you-know-that-god-needs-constant-reassurance/ - "Why Does God Need an Army?": http://www.askelm.com/news/n020613.htm - "Why does God have or need Angels?": http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080219020527AApdXH9 - "Are angels real or imaginary?": http://www.helium.com/debates/80826-are-angels-real-or-imaginary/side_by_side?page=4 - "Boo Sends Angels to Help Those in Need": http://www.scribd.com/doc/916932/Boo-Sends-Angels-to-Help-Those-in-Need - "Reincarnation and angels ?": http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/column.php?id=80860 - "Decoding Angels - What are they - Where do they live - What is their true purpose": http://hubpages.com/hub/Decoding-Angels---What-are-they---Where-do-they-live---What-is-their-true-purpose--How-to-reach-the-one-you-need-now 2) "Sometimes God needs us to be His angels when the real angels are too busy or not in position to carry out His mission. If we are ready and open to the call, we can all be angels at any given time. You know when you have done something that provides tremendous help to someone or an animal, you know how you get this really good tingly feeling all over? Maybe that’s God or one of his Angels patting us on the back for a job well done. I will ask this question again, have you ever seen an Angel? Maybe you should look no further than the tip of your own nose." Source and further information: http://www.wedgewoodbaptist.com/sermonarchivegarymclamb1.html Yes! And maybe there are no angels altogether, and even God, for that matter... 3) "Angels were embraced by Christianity like no religion before it, Throughout the Bible we find it repeatedly implied that each individual soul has its tutelary angel. Thus Abraham, when sending his steward to seek a wife for Isaac, says: "He will send His angel before thee" (Genesis 24:7). The words of the ninetieth Psalm which the devil quoted to our Lord (Matt., iv, 6) are well known, and Judith accounts for her heroic deed by saying: "As the Lord liveth, His angel hath been my keeper" (xiii, 20). These passages and many like them (Gen., xvi, 6-32; Osee, xii, 4; III K., xix, 5; Acts, xii, 7; Ps., xxxiii, 8), though they will not of themselves demonstrate the doctrine that every individual has his appointed guardian angel, receive their complement in our Saviour's words: "See that you despise not on of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in Heaven always see the face of My Father Who is in Heaven" (Matt, xviii, 10), words which illustrate the remark of St. Augustine: "What lies hidden in the Old Testament, is made manifest in the New". Indeed, the book of Tobias seems intended to teach this truth more than any other, and St. Jerome in his commentary on the above words of our Lord says: "The dignity of a soul is so great, that each has a guardian angel from its birth." The general doctrine that the angels are our appointed guardians is considered to be a point of faith, but that each individual member of the human race has his own individual guardian angel is not of faith (de fide); the view has, however, such strong support from the Doctors of the Church that it would be rash to deny it (cf. St. Jerome, supra). Peter the Lombard (Sentences, lib. II, dist. xi) was inclined to think that one angel had charge of several individual human beings. St. Bernard's beautiful homilies (11-14) on the ninetieth Psalm breathe the spirit of the Church without however deciding the question. The Bible represents the angels not only as our guardians, but also as actually interceding for us. "The angel Raphael (Tob., xii, 12) says: "I offered thy prayer to the Lord" (cf. Job, v, 1 (Septuagint), and 33:23 (Vulgate); Apocalypse 8:4). The Catholic cult of the angels is thus thoroughly scriptural. Perhaps the earliest explicit declaration of it is to be found in St. Ambrose's words: "We should pray to the angels who are given to us as guardians" (De Viduis, ix); (cf. St. Aug., Contra Faustum, xx, 21). An undue cult of angels was reprobated by St. Paul (Col., ii, 18), and that such a tendency long remained in the same district is evidenced by Canon 35 of the Synod of Laodicea. The love of angels came from the people and not the church fathers. In the middle Ages, there was an "Angel mania" with countless sightings of angels and saints. At this time there was a great acceptance of the idea of “visions”, especially in England and France. People obsessed by angels would have countless visions of angels appearing to them and giving them advice. But people soon became disillusioned by all the sightings along with the false sightings reported. Today in the Christian countries of the West, people are again becoming more conscious of angels. They are exploring their spirituality and questioning beliefs they were raised with. They are turning to a more loving and accepting concept of religion and the thought of a "Higher Being" or "Light" that watches over us all, regardless of religion or beliefs." Source and further information: http://guideangel.com/ 4) ""God Needed A Friend" by Marigrace Iodice Did God need another angel? Or someone He knew that would care? Someone who always thought of others And when needed was always there. Did God need another angel? Or someone to be more helpful in Heaven above? Even though you were treasured here on Earth I guess He noticed your kindness & your love. Did God need another angel? Or someone He knew was worthwhile? Someone who shared in His spiritual inspirations And someone with an awesome smile! I guess God watched you from Heaven And choose someone He knew was special As I've cried to God in anger "Why did You need another angel?" The answer hit me & it's quite simple For now I'm no longer saddened, Because, God DID need another angel . . .but he also needed a friend!" Source and further information: http://www.geocities.com/mgi0313/godneeded.html Further information: http://www.shelovesgod.com/library/poem.cfm?articleid=3829 (looks like a Mormon site)