These pagan practices paralleled the Greek and Roman epic cremations." According to Wikipedia. Eric Metaxas is an Evangelical speaker and bestselling author. 726.) Cremation Conclusions 1. Paganism and Cremation The New Catholic Encyclopedia men­tions this pagan practice among the Aztecs, Hindus, and Buddhists: “The Aztecs were the first to introduce the burning of corpses in Central America, and from there it spread northward. Projections from the Cremation Association of North America are forecasting a cremation … Why is abandoning the rule of law so dangerous. Please click here to learn how. This same field later received the remains of Abraham (Gen. 25:9-10), Isaac, Rebekah, Leah (49:30-32), and Jacob (50:13). They adopted embalming and preservation of dead bodies from the Egyptians. That separation from a religion with ties to traditional burial has led to more Americans exploring other options of disposition.” Indeed, people are straying far from God and are more secular and pagan in their practices, including funerary rites. All the dead will rise on the great Resurrection Day, and even the scattered ashes of those who were cremated will obey the voice of the Almighty when He calls us all to judgment on this great and terrible day! The Hope of the Righteous Schaff’s church history declares that “The early church differed from the pagan and even from the Jewish notions by a cheerful and hopeful view of death, and by discarding lamentations, rending of clothes, and all signs of extravagant grief. Since the body belongs to God, how can one glorify Him in his body at death? It seems that Manasseh put his son to death by fire, which was a pagan practice of the day, something that he turned to in his wickedness and apostasy. 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And even how we treat our dead. They seem to have adopted cremation from some northern people as an imperative of war, to ensure This suspicion goes back to the early Church. 15:51-55. Many pastors and church members seem to think that cremation is a non-Biblical issue and they have not attempted to address this acceptable pagan practice that is sweeping across America. Also, with biblical examples of cremation being indicative of God’s wrath and contempt for sin, surely it would not be a consideration for His children. 726.) No hearse, no body, and no entourage to a cemetery. The practice of cremation on open fires was introduced to the Western world by the Greeks as early as 1000 bce. Julius Caesar was cremated and this was the general practice of the pagans.....Papal Rome has always followed in her footsteps. What is the Church’s modern view of cremating the dead, since in the past cremation was considered a pagan practice? Is cremation a Christian practice? These pagan practices paralleled the Greek and Roman epic cremations.” (Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th edition, p. First, historically cremation of the dead was a pagan practice. Cremation is a method of final disposition of a dead body through burning ().. Cremation may serve as a funeral or post-funeral rite and as an alternative to the burial or interment of an intact dead body. Have you seriously considered what the will of God is concerning the interment of the body? It was pagans who burned their dead, a practice that the early Church saw as consistent with "the pagan denial of Christian beliefs about the afterlife, especially the belief in the resurrection of the dead. Also, since the pagan nations surrounding Israel practiced cremation, it was closely linked with paganism, giving Isreal another reason to reject it. Neither do I. I am not criticizing any believer's choice for cremation. The Church of God (Restoration) also forbids the practice of cremation , believing it to be a pagan practice . As Chuck said back in 2007, "this idea could be possible only in a post-Christian culture." In some countries, including India and Nepal, cremation on an open-air pyre is an ancient tradition. 2. 4:13-14. With the rise of Christianity, cremation began to die out as a practice throughout Europe as Christianity spread. The practice of cremation on open fires was introduced to the Western world by the Greeks as early as 1000 bce. Any practice, regardless of its nature, that is contrary to God's Holy Word is to be shunned by all conscientious believers. The Pope lifted the ban that had been put on cremation by the church in the year 1963. Obviously this judgment arose from knowledge of the pagan customs of that time. Cremation removes the healing process that takes place naturally through a … 3). Life magazine reported that by 2017, one out of two Americans will choose cremation over burial, and stated that “Historically, the U.S. has been a majority Christian nation, and Christianity favors burial for a number of reasons. It is a subject that most people would rather avoid, but in recent years it has become quite an issue. Some people are concerned whether cremation stems from pagan religious practices, but as previously noted, the Bible neither condemns nor condones the practice. The Redemption of the Body Christianity provides for the redemption of the body as well as the soul (Rom. They adopted embalming and preservation of dead bodies from the Egyptians. Every life has a sunrise and a sunset in this world, “for it is appointed unto men once to die.” “All are of the dust, and all turn to dust again” (Eccl. Cremation, the burning of the corpse, was a custom only practiced by numerous pagan (demonic) religions in ancient times: the corpse was placed upon towering funeral pyres and set ablaze. Sources state that the original ban arose out of consideration for the fact that within pagan and possibly gnostic circles cremation was commonly practiced. From the Remnant of May 15th, 2007: From her very beginning, the Church condemned cremation and had only one funeral rite: burial. It was typically viewed as a pagan Eastern practice. This is not evidence of cremation performed after his son’s death, because in this ritual, the children were burned alive on the pagan altar. In Christian countries and cultures, cremation has historically been discouraged and viewed as a desecration of God’s image, and as interference with the resurrection of the dead taught in Scripture. As for biblical support for the anti-cremation position, it’s often pointed out that Abraham purchased a burial site for himself and his wife Sarah (Genesis 23:9). So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. For those who understand the biblical prophecies, this is not surprising. Many felt the body was a burden not letting the soul harness its full potential. As shown in the En­cyclo­pedia Americana, article, “Cremation,” the practice of cremation was used in idol­atrous pagan fire worship. They were grieving because a close relative (child, sibling, etc.) It was used in the idolatrous fire worship of paganism. You then place their cremated ashes in their biodegradable "bio-urn," and, in turn, place the bio-urn in their new "Incube," a high-tech planter's pot. The early Church retained the Jewish practice of bodily burial and rejected the common pagan Roman practice of cremation. It was one of the ceremonies involved in ancient fire worship. By 400 A.D. burials had all but replaced cremation. Is Cremation Christian Or Pagan. Pagan Practice: It should come as no surprise that cremation was practiced only by members of pagan religions. Yes, we die. By 400 A.D. burials had all but replaced cremation. This is advertised as an eco-friendly method of disposition. But in our time, we have witnessed a rapid revival of this practice. Hinduism mandates cremation, considering it to be the last of the 16 life rituals. But both burial and cremation was definitely practiced before any pagan influence. There was also the implication that through cremation the value of physical creation, and specifically the human body, was denied. They had a horror of the pagan custom of burning corpses. Cremation Is More Economical. Call for councillors to vote down 'pagan practice' of cremation A local resident in Newtownabbey has opposed the building of a new facility on the grounds of Christianity and the environment. This is evidenced in numerous ways; the pagan practice of cremation is one of them. As in the case of Achan, this no doubt does not refer to any being burned alive, but to the bodies being disposed of by cremation, as a manifest warning to all Israel. Is this not demeaning to the sanctity and value of the human creation? The word Christians used for the place where they buried their dead was koimeterion, the Greek word for "bedroom" and "resting place," from which we get "cemetery." 20:14 “If a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.”. But what Chuck did call into question was the non-Christian ideas about death and burial that make "being the tree" possible in the first place. He wrote and asked me to address the question: Is cremation biblically permissible? Christian teaching about Jesus' incarnation and resurrection led them to treat the human body with respect.". Notice what the Encyclopedia Americana says: "In primitive cultures which have survived into modern times cremation is widely practiced. While many are uninformed as to the pagan roots of cremation and may choose it for economical reasons alone, it certainly should not be the choice of Christians. Cremation is a pagan practice. Children are believed to be much less attached to the body. 2. The following represent some of the more common nonbiblical reasons given to support the practice of cremation. Our body and soul belong to God, our Creator. Centuries ago, cremation was a pagan practice, and has since been associated with pagan religious beliefs. Post navigation. In fact, Christians began to associate cremation as a pagan act, sometimes even seeing it as a type of fire sacrifice to the ancient gods rather than as a burial practice. 2. The spirit then returns to God who gave it (Eccl. Thus, the dead body is an offering to Agni with an earnest prayer to purify and lead the individual to a better and brighter life. Cremation is a heathen custom, meaning a practice of people who do not have the Bible, or else have rejected its authority. Join Our Free Chat and Take The Paganism Bible Quiz ---LynRuth on 11/29/06 Helpful Blog Vote (15) jerry6593: I suspect that the new bodies will be without any defect (for example, the ravages of aging and disease), but will still be recognizable as "us". The way it works is that you first select what kind of tree you want your loved one or pet to be in the afterlife: beech, ash, ginkgo, or pine. Cremation is considered contrary to the Christian belief in the resurrection of the body and immortality of the soul. Verse 25 makes it very clear that Achan was first stoned to death, and then his body was burned. The article said that it is not biblically permissible for Christians. And our treatment of our loved one's remains reflected our anticipation of resurrected life. Do you want award-winning journalism with a Christian worldview, delivered to your inbox? A friend read on the internet that cremation is a pagan practice. Cremation, the practice of reducing a corpse to its essential elements by burning. The holy text of Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures, has many Ruchas (poems) related to cremation, which state that Lord Agni will purify the dead body. There is nothing in Scripture that indicates that the modern practice of cremation is inappropriate. Cremation is devil worship, by desecrating and destroying a good gift from God in a pagan practice copied from the darkest nations and tribes on earth. As Christianity and Judaism rose to prominence in the late Roman Empire years, the practice of cremation waned. Like a seed, a body is planted in the earth to await being raised an incorruptible body at the Great Last Day (1 Cor. The Pope lifted the ban that had been put on cremation by the church in the year 1963. Jainism and Sikhism also strongly prefer cremation. May the five elements be merged with their basic forms.”. Human burial devel­oped from the belief that the dead rise again. I only hope to have the opportunity to help others understand. Thank you for this article which sums it all up. These religions considered cremation a pagan act and preferred burial. Join Our Free Chat and Take The Paganism Bible Quiz ---LynRuth on 11/29/06 Helpful Blog Vote (15) jerry6593: I suspect that the new bodies will be without any defect (for example, the ravages of aging and disease), but will still be recognizable as "us". Cremation removes the healing process that takes place naturally through a Christian burial. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28-29. The practice of cremation is also found in Beowulf, where those killed in battle are described as being put on a wooden platform and burned. It was an example of how "post-Christian societies can drift backwards toward paganism without even being aware of it.". New Catholic Encyclopedia: “In the course of the early persecutions, the bodies of martyrs were sometimes cremated by their persecutors and the ashes scattered in an indication of contempt. Join over 250,000 others to get the top stories curated daily, plus special offers! Cremation was foreign, not only to conservative Christianity, but also to western culture. Any practice, regardless of its nature, that is contrary to God's Holy Word is to be shunned by all conscientious believers. O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor. It is informative to me about the practice of cremation. Cremation is of heathen origin, and therefore is unscriptural and non-Christian. The corpse was first washed (Acts 9:37), then anointed (Mark 16: 1), wrapped in linen garments with spices enclosed (John 19:40), and finally the limbs were bound and the face covered with a napkin (John 11:44). These religions considered cremation a pagan act and preferred burial. naries. Also, since the pagan nations surrounding Israel practiced cremation, it was closely linked with paganism, giving Isreal another reason to reject it. According to Byzantine Canon Law, cremation is not permitted. The practice of cremation does not show reverence and thoughtful care for the bodies of the dead, especially in light of the previous two points. With the spread of Buddhism as a universal religion, cremation also spread into the lands of the Far East.” (Cremation, pg. Is cremation a pagan practice? ", "In contrast," Chuck told listeners, "Christians buried their dead. Pagan or Wiccan funerals may take place outside, to acknowledge the importance of nature in Pagan … None of these individuals were cremated. Pagan funerals. Ancient Jews rejected cremation most likely because of its close resemblance to the forbidden practice of human sacrifice. 2. The Encyclopedia Britannica reported, "The pagan Scandinavians favoured cremation, believing that it helped free the spirit from the flesh and also that it kept the dead from harming the living. Many felt the body was a burden not letting the soul harness its full potential. 1. Hinduism and Buddhism are just two of many other Far Eastern religions that are spreading like wildfire throughout the Western world. Lev. By 395 A.D., cremation was widely practiced, being considered more ‘prestigious’ than traditional burial. Early Christians Frowned Upon Cremation Christianity frowned upon cremation and attempted to abolish Graeco-Roman pagan rituals. Cremation is the chosen from of release. Cremation was a common practice among Greeks and Romans, at least for the very poor, While cremation is definitely becoming more and more popular, it is actually something new to Catholic Christian tradition. Now, too many in our society aspire to little more than spending the afterlife as a pine tree, which leaves us, as Chuck said, truly lost in the woods. Life magazine reported that by 2017, one out of two Americans will choose cremation over burial, and stated that “Historically, the U.S. has been a majority Christian nation, and Christianity favors burial for a … To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Sources state that the original ban arose out of consideration for the fact that within pagan and possibly gnostic circles cremation was commonly practiced. Is cremation for the laity only, because it seems that popes, bishops and priests are never cremated? The first commercial transaction recorded is that of Abraham’s purchase of a burial place: “I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.” Gen. 23:13. I believe cremation has gotten a bad rap for many reasons. Embryo adoption is wonderful but it's not the solution, Ask Chuck: 5 steps to improve your finances this new year, Answer to Terrorism Is Same as God's Answer to Sin. Cremation is the practice of Hinduism and is not in the Bible or in accordance with the biblical teaching: ... Cremation was always looked upon in pagan times as a method for the soul to escape from. There it has always been the prevalent Hindu funeral mode, and whenever possible the ashes are cast ceremonially on the Ganges River. ", As Chuck noted at the time, "since up to 15 family members can be 'become one' with a particular tree, the concept of a 'family tree' will take on a whole new meaning.". The following represent some of the more common nonbiblical reasons given to support the practice of cremation. It’s impossible to disconnect cremation from paganism and heathenism. O death, where is thy sting? The practice of cremation is of ancient origin. In recent months, a number of people have asked me if cremation is Scriptural and acceptable to God. Cremation is a subject I have often been asked about in 21 years of ministry. Revelation 20:7-9 reveals that shortly before the final return of Jesus Christ to call this world into judgment, the spirit of paganism would be revived. Answer to: Is cremation a Pagan practice? Is cremation a pagan practice? Julius Caesar was cremated and this was the general practice of the pagans.....Papal Rome has always followed in her footsteps. At the time of the cremation a “Puja” (ritual worship) is performed. Cremation is abhorrent to true Christians because it reminds them of the fate of the unsaved who will be burning forever in Hell....That is why early Christians despised the PAGAN Roman practice of cremation. Lazarus was not cremated, and Jesus certainly was not cremated. So even though it was a practice with origins from pagan people, it was still acceptable to Jesus and His family. The remains have been cremated. It became fashionable among aristocrats throughout the Roman Empire and was the funeral mode of the Caesars.” “According to Cicero, in Rome, inhumation (burial) was considered the more archaic rite, while the most honoured citizens were most typically cremated–especially upper classes and members of imperial families.”, Hinduism The Americana relates that cremation was first practiced extensively in India, where the custom may have been introduced along with Hinduism during the second millennium before Christ. The average cost for cremation in 1997 was around $600 to $900 dollars. The terrors of the grave were dispelled by the light of the resurrection, and the idea of death was transformed into the idea of a peaceful slumber.”, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. While the idea appealed to a certain post-Christian, Gaia-worshipping sensibility, $4,500 was a lot of money. Finally, we are opposed to cremation because it is a barbaric practice. Ask Dr. Land: Is there a difference between the ‘letter’ of the law and its ‘spirit'? had been cremated and they had been told that cremation is a pagan practice, their close relative is in hell and things like that. The Church once spurned cremation as a pagan practice, and made no official statement regarding the Bishop’s decision. This is an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States. As he pointed out, "Christianity has traditionally regarded cremation with — at best — some suspicion." In Orthodoxy, cremation is perceived by some a rejection of the dogma of the general resurrection. While the exact origins and date of the first cremation will always remain unknown, one thing is certain. It’s impossible to disconnect cremation from paganism and heathenism. This is not evidence of cremation performed after his son’s death, because in this ritual, the children were burned alive on the pagan altar. By the 8th century B.C., it was the predominant practice, as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey tell of the cremation of the bodies of Greek gods Achilles and Hector after death. Evangelicals and Politics: So What's the Evangelical Way? ", This suspicion goes back to the early Church. Cyprian (c. 200 – 258, bishop of Carthage) stated, “No one should be made sad by death, since in living is labor and peril, in dying peace and the certainty of resurrection.”. For this reason, Jews and early Christians avoided it and buried their dead. Hell and the Eternal Lake of Fire Cremation is too close to hell for a saint to ever choose such a treatment of the divinely created body. Cremation Is More Economical. Yoga is now an accepted form … I will use some of the information to educate my people so they can then make an educated choice for their burial based on Christian doctrine not solely on economics. 1. Historically speaking, the practice of cremation does have pagan roots. 15:42). This is the kind of thing that doesn't so much beg to be parodied as it is a self-parody. Is cremation a pagan practice? However, as the Roman Empire dwindled, and Christianity began to take hold of the world, the practice of cremation came to be considered a pagan practice. Throughout Jewish history, religious leaders and followers have presented many arguments against cremation. Pagan roots. Do you want award-winning journalism with a, Black Texas megachurch pastor cuts ties with SBC over seminary presidents’ statement on CRT, 'When Calls the Heart' co-creator gives season 8 sneak peek: Serving up ‘hope, faith, love’, US evangelist hopes to reach millions with Russian, Spanish Christmas livestream, A pastor encounters Jesus amid grief losing 37-y-o son. Answer to: Is cremation a Pagan practice? Burning, accord­ing to pagan belief, prevents the possible return of the ghost, purifies the soul, and wards off evil spirits. Unfortunately, burning a person on a pyre is illegal and frowned upon these days, so the pyre is probably not an option. I have done my own scripture study on the subject as well. Nearly nine years ago, Chuck Colson told BreakPoint listeners about a company in Virginia that "for as little as $4500," would place your loved one's ashes in a "bio-degradable urn" and bury these ashes alongside a tree. As shown in the En­cyclo­pedia Americana, article, “Cremation,” the practice of cremation was used in idol­atrous pagan fire worship. Hence the Greek and Roman custom of burning the corpse was repugnant to Christian feeling and the sacredness of the body. As Christianity spread and the belief in the resurrection took hold, cremation fell from favour. What made the company's offering more than just another expensive burial plot was what happened afterwards. Politics: so what 's the Evangelical way based on religious reasons, and therefore is unscriptural and.! 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