Burial or cremation? (ritual, punishment, soul, creation, hell)

[Dream Angel]

Would someone please tell me how to spell burial or is that right? Ok, I know this is a bit of a morbid topic, but I thought of it last night. I know that some religions consider cremation to be a pagan ritual. However is there actually a scriptural law if you like which states you have to be burried?

I guess what I am trying to say is do you have a choose, or does the bible state that it must be burial?

I would like to hear everybodies views on the matter.....

[Mike182]

i have no real desire either way, so long as the useful organs inside of me get put to good use in someone else, i don't care what they do with me

[James the Persian]

I don't think the Bible states it explicitly, but Orthodox doctrine is clear - we must be buried isf at all possible (as with everything in Orthodoxy leniency - called economy - can be practiced for special cases, say the secular state requiring cremation for some reason, but basically cremation is completely forbidden). Cremation, and any other needless destruction of the body after death is seen as disrespectful of it and hence the God who made it. I would also note that for us we are fundamentally that body. The idea that it is just a shell which contains a separate immortal soul - that being the true us - is heresy, hence the absolute insitance of the Resurrection of the Body. And before someone comes up with the objection that we rot after death. I know (usually at least, I've seen saints that didn't), that's not the point. It is about us showing respect for creation rather than wantonly destroying it.

James

[theo]

i don't think there is a rule as such but the bible would generally favour burial, it was considered a great dishonour not to be given a proper burial, and all references(that i know of) to cremation were of those that commited crimes and were cremated as punishment. in corinthians it says about how god will raise the decomposed body of a believer, hmm if so thats unfortunate to anyone who has been cremated

[sojourner]

I have always advocated cremation. It returns us to the dust from which the Bible says we were made (plus it's far more ecologically friendly.)

[Dream Angel]

Originally Posted by sojourner

I have always advocated cremation. It returns us to the dust from which the Bible says we were made (plus it's far more ecologically friendly.)

yes, even the line in burial is ashes to ashes, dust to dust! so all cremation does is speed the process of returning to dust. I think by the time we are resurrected, most bodies will be dust to! so there would be no difference for God (who is supposed to be all powerful) to restore the bodies of those who have been cremated also!

Cremation also makes sure you are actually dead too! I have always worried about being burried alive - you hear so many stories!!!!

[James the Persian]

Originally Posted by sojourner

I have always advocated cremation. It returns us to the dust from which the Bible says we were made (plus it's far more ecologically friendly.)

How's it more ecologically friendly? I can't see anything ecologically unfriendly about the natural decomposition process (and no, we aren't embalmed, so it is natural decomposition). Cremation, on the other hand produces significant quantities of decidedly unfriendly gaseous waste.

Originally Posted by laws28186

Cremation also makes sure you are actually dead too! I have always worried about being burried alive - you hear so many stories!!!!

And the idea of being burnt alive, seems preferrable to being buried alive to you? Personally, I'd rather my doctors just made damned sure before pronouncing me dead.

James

[sojourner]

How's it more ecologically friendly? I can't see anything ecologically unfriendly about the natural decomposition process (and no, we aren't embalmed, so it is natural decomposition). Cremation, on the other hand produces significant quantities of decidedly unfriendly gaseous waste.

Forgive me for being irreverent, but cemeteries are like unto landfills. "Whaddo we do with these bodies we don't need anymore?" "Bury 'em in the back yard, so the dogs don't get 'em and drag them all over the neighborhood."

Think of the land space that could be saved if everyone were cremated and put into little urns. Plus, you're forgetting that the preponderance of those buried, at least in this country, are embalmed, with highly toxic chemicals.

Although, I really do have respect for burial, and for your theological take on it!