Blindsighted Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Actually a memorial service. My cousin's husband died of cancer. I didn't know him, but I attended to show support for my cousin. And even after attending his memorial service I still don't know anything about him. It was all about god, and Jesus, and heaven, and how much we're loved. Nothing about this man who just died. Do people realize they really don't give the dead respect when they don't even talk about them? They probably don't even realize what they are doing. I wondered, as I sat among extended family, if there was anyone else there who didn't believe, and if they thought it was all silly too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybaris Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Funerals and weddings, I hate attending them and nothing makes them suck more except a minister who hijacks the event for gawd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfan70 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 If it's a memorial service/funeral that is officiated by a clergy member, it's almost a given that there is going to be some kind of salvation message. The church I worked at recently basically told us that we needed to make sure when we did funerals to put as much gospel in there as we could, because it's one of the most optimal times to "bring someone to Jesus." In other words, manipulate the feelings of people who are grieving their loved ones to make a decision to be saved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
★ Citsonga ★ Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 It depends on the minister. I've been to a funeral that even had an altar call, which I thought was completely inappropriate. I've been to others where it was mostly about "god," but still some about the deceased. Last month I attended the funeral of my grandmother, and it was one of the best I've been to. There was a minister who did give a little message and prayer at the end, but it wasn't overbearing, and my grandmother was a member of his church and probably wanted some sort of message, so I wasn't offended by it. The bulk of the service was family members recounting things about my grandmother, who was a great lady who lived a long, full life. It really was about mainly about her, the way it should be. It certainly does suck when the whole thing is hijacked by a minister bent on getting more congregants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeauCat Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 My grandfather Derek died 15 years ago, and I remember the pastor preaching about how we should be happy that Derek was in heaven. He was going on and on about the joy of finding peace, and my great aunt snarled from the pew, "We love Derek and he will be missed!" I loved that woman. Even when I was a Christian I was so happy she said that, because I grieve for people I love dying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfan70 Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 There was someone on the worship team who whenever I posted on Facebook or said something about a tragic death, she would say "Why are you saying that? They're in heaven. They're much happier there." If she said that to me now I would probably want to curse her out, but even back then it pissed me off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blindsighted Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Times of vulnerability are seen as opportunity. I see that now, and I never even thought about it before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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