Do atheists put flowers on graves?

Spiderman · Jul 2, 2018

Obviously, some atheists do...but I don't exactly understand their reasoning behind it.

Putting flowers on, or decorating a grave, honoring the dead, paying respects to them, or even buying a nice costly tombstone for a deceased loved one, sounds more like something a person does who believes the soul of the deceased recipient of such honors or offerings, still lives on in some way or form, or benefits in some way from it...

If you are an atheist, have you ever put flowers on someone's grave, honored or paid respects to the dead, help purchase them a costly tombstone, or talked to them after their death? Were you an atheist at the time of this practice/tradition?

If you are a theist, do you ever decorate graves, leave flowers, honor, pay respects to, talk to the dead etc.?

I've spent all-nighters at cemeteries. They are one of my favorite places to visit! But in my atheist moments, didn't find any reason to do so...

Father Heathen · Jul 2, 2018

Your question makes no sense. Why would you need to believe in god to honor and pay respect to the dead? Atheists don't cease to love or remember someone once they pass away.

SomeRandom · Jul 2, 2018

Why would being an atheist preclude someone from laying flowers on a grave?

Spiderman · Jul 2, 2018

I'm fond of Shintoism, the state Religion of Japan, "Land of the Kami"...

Unlike Catholics, they don't just enshrine spiritual giants (or canonized Saints) who lived extraordinary holy, heroic lives...they have Shrines with "books of souls" where millions of souls are enshrined, and venerated as Kami/spirits. Yasukuni Shrine, enshrines millions of war dead, from different centuries, and is quite a controversial shrine...the prime minister Shinzo Abe (A devout adherent of Shintoism), and other politicians, get criticized or verbally attacked for visiting Yasukuni....It bothers me when people do that. They leave them offerings, pray to them, honor them, pray for them, and treat them like they are still alive.

When a family member dies, they become a "family Kami"...spirit who is honored, venerated, contacted, and believed to still assist souls on earth...they are very devoted to ancestors, and "Imperial Spirits" and treat them as divinities etc. So, Shintoism is a Religion I've become very fond of.

Spiderman · Jul 2, 2018

Father Heathen said:
Your question makes no sense. Why would you need to believe in god to honor and pay respect to the dead? Atheists don't cease to love or remember someone once they pass away.

That's great to know!

It's just, a lot of atheists don't seem to believe the soul of the deceased goes on living after death, so I don't always see the reason behind such a tradition, if a person doesn't believe the soul of the deceased appreciates or benefits from such honors or traditions, or hears them...

Sleeppy · Jul 2, 2018

Father Heathen said:
Your question makes no sense. Why would you need to believe in god to honor and pay respect to the dead? Atheists don't cease to love or remember someone once they pass away.

True. But, this should be questionable for anyone. What does the dead do with honor, or respect, or love, or remembrance?

Spiderman · Jul 2, 2018

SomeRandom said:
Why would being an atheist preclude someone from laying flowers on a grave?

It wouldn't...As I said in the OP,
"Obviously, some atheists do..."

It's just, I don't quite understand the reasoning or motive behind it...

If a person doesn't believe that the soul of the deceased loved one goes on living after death...why visit their grave, talk to them, or leave flowers?

Yes, atheists sometimes do that, and I'm glad they do, but fail to understand the reasoning behind it...It makes a lot of sense to indulge in such a practice or tradition, if a person believes the dead spirits go on living after they leave their body behind.

A lot of people (with no religion) go to graves to talk to the person buried there, or they talk to the person at their funeral or wake, as if the spirit of the deceased still lives on and can hear them. Rightfully so!

Which makes me wonder, perhaps atheists are more open to the possibility that the dead go on living and can be contacted, then one would initially think?

Spiderman · Jul 2, 2018

Sleeppy said:
True. But, this should be questionable for anyone. What does the dead do with honor, or respect, or love, or remembrance?

Jesus was seen on mount tabor with Elijah and Moses.

The poor man Lazarus was taken to "Abraham's bosom" and Abraham was interacting with the spirit of the deceased "rich man" in "Hades".

The spirit of Samuel told Saul, he would be joining him shortly in the "World of the dead".

In the book of Revelation, the martyrs slain for their faith were crying out for God to avenge them, and interceding for the earth.

However, not every bit of truth must come from Scripture. The Bible does not say every piece of truth must come from Scripture, or that a belief (or tradition) must be found in the Bible to be true, legit, or sacred. Scripture does not say that Scripture is to be the sole rule of sacred Theology...and rightfully so!

Sleeppy · Jul 2, 2018

Luke 9:59-60

And he said unto another, 'Be following me;' and he said, 'Sir, permit me, having gone away, first to bury my father; 'and Jesus said to him, 'Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, and thou, having gone away, publish the reign of God.'

Stevicus · Jul 2, 2018

PopeADope said:
Obviously, some atheists do...but I don't exactly understand their reasoning behind it.

Putting flowers on, or decorating a grave, honoring the dead, paying respects to them, or even buying a nice costly tombstone for a deceased loved one, sounds more like something a person does who believes the soul of the deceased recipient of such honors or offerings, still lives on in some way or form, or benefits in some way from it...

If you are an atheist, have you ever put flowers on someone's grave, honored or paid respects to the dead, help purchase them a costly tombstone, or talked to them after their death? Were you an atheist at the time of this practice/tradition?

If you are a theist, do you ever decorate graves, leave flowers, honor, pay respects to, talk to the dead etc.?

I've spent all-nighters at cemeteries. They are one of my favorite places to visit! But in my atheist moments, didn't find any reason to do so...
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It's just tradition, I suppose. It's often said that "funerals are for the living," and this may be the same for graves. Why would people spend big bucks on expensive caskets, mausoleums, gravestones - even if they believe in God? Probably for the same reason people buy expensive cars - to flaunt and impress their friends.

I've wondered the same thing about religious people and the elaborate funeral rituals and rules that many religions have. If the body is just an empty shell and the soul is the only thing that matters, why should it matter how the physical dead remains are handled and disposed of?

On an unrelated side note, here's a fun joke to try on someone: Get the number of your local funeral parlor, and then send a message to someone telling them to call "Myra Mains" at that number.

Spiderman · Jul 2, 2018

Sleeppy said:
Luke 9:59-60

And he said unto another, 'Be following me;' and he said, 'Sir, permit me, having gone away, first to bury my father; 'and Jesus said to him, 'Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, and thou, having gone away, publish the reign of God.'

The Bible says a lot of things...

Much of the Bible is parables, poetry, Hyperbole, symbolism, and exaggerations that aren't meant to be taken literally, taken out of context, misinterpreted, and much meaning of Scripture is lost through interpretation or not knowing the culture, time, or language it was presented to.

For instance, Jesus says "Call no man your Father", while other verses call Abraham "Father Abraham", Paul said "I became your Father", and of course scripture says "Honor your Father".

Jesus also said "If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out". I knew a man in a mental institution who had no eyes. He ripped them out over a pornography addiction, because Jesus told him to in Scripture. Scripture can be dangerous, and there is a walking example.

Context is everything.

`mud · Jul 2, 2018

Really ????
Love doesn't die with death, memories are forever, you're sometimes silly.

Sunstone · Jul 2, 2018

No, we steal the flowers for our weddings.

Sleeppy · Jul 2, 2018

PopeADope said:
Jesus was seen on mount tabor with Elijah and Moses.

The poor man Lazarus was taken to "Abraham's bosom" and Abraham was interacting with the spirit of the deceased rich man in "Hades".

The spirit of Samuel told Saul, he would be joining him shortly in the "World of the dead".

In the book of Revelation, the martyrs slain for their faith were crying out for God to avenge them, and interceding for the earth.

However, not every bit of truth must come from Scripture. The Bible does not say every piece of truth must come from Scripture, or that a belief (or tradition) must be found in the Bible to be true, legit, or sacred. Scripture does not say that Scripture is to be the sole rule of sacred Theology...and rightfully so!

If the truth is confirmed by the heavens and the Earth, will you confirm these things?

1) Why Elijah and Moses?

Matthew 22:31-32

'And concerning the rising again of the dead, did ye not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not a God of dead men, but of living.'

2) What benefit does Abraham have with the dead in Hades?

3) Is a thing confirmed by two or three witnesses? Let's find another one or two. What does it mean to 'possess a familiar spirit'?

4) Does the power of God need avenging? Abel is a precedent. Jesus is another precedent.

stvdv · Jul 2, 2018

PopeADope said:
Obviously, some atheists do...but I don't exactly understand their reasoning behind it.

Disclaimer: Just my personal opinion. If you easily feel offended or upset better don't read this. I understand God + Grave are touchy subjects

I never understood the flower business. Yes the business I understand. I rather leave the flowers alive in my garden then put them in my house.

And flowers on a grave? Okay I get it, good business for the flower girl, but really? I can believe in God, but putting flowers on a grave?

I might get it, when alive you forgot, then with a little imagination I get it, put them on the grave. Or when sad. Even I pray to God when in stress

But the atheist made me very much aware on RF that God is an illusion. But this can only be topped by flowers on the Grave IMHO.

I believe this is only done to make yourself feel better. And if that works for you "Do it by all means". That is what life is about. Be happy.

But someone putting flowers on a grave should never tell me to stop praying to God. Both are done to feel ourselves good IMHO.

`mud · Jul 2, 2018

hey Sleeppy,
Scripture is not the word of `god`, scripture is the word of men !
Once again: love is not lost with death, sans `god` or scripture !

Spiderman · Jul 2, 2018

@Father Heathen,
The question makes perfect sense,
As someone who keeps shrines for the dead, and loves cemeteries (sometimes taking the bus to other cities to visit them), knows that the money for flowers and transportation , and the time it takes is a sacrifice.... once you get to the cemetery, it can be difficult to find the grave you are searching for as well.

So, had I no faith that the dead continue living and can be contacted, i would not bother with such traditions, or make such a sacrifice or pilgrimage, pay such respects and homage to the dead etc.

So, all things considered, the question makes perfect sense!

lewisnotmiller · Jul 2, 2018

PopeADope said:
Obviously, some atheists do...but I don't exactly understand their reasoning behind it.

Putting flowers on, or decorating a grave, honoring the dead, paying respects to them, or even buying a nice costly tombstone for a deceased loved one, sounds more like something a person does who believes the soul of the deceased recipient of such honors or offerings, still lives on in some way or form, or benefits in some way from it...

If you are an atheist, have you ever put flowers on someone's grave, honored or paid respects to the dead, help purchase them a costly tombstone, or talked to them after their death? Were you an atheist at the time of this practice/tradition?

If you are a theist, do you ever decorate graves, leave flowers, honor, pay respects to, talk to the dead etc.?

I've spent all-nighters at cemeteries. They are one of my favorite places to visit! But in my atheist moments, didn't find any reason to do so...
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*Blinks*

You have a poll about atheists, and the only answers are yes or no. Unless the question is specifically around belief in God, that makes it automatically wrong.

I have a picture of my first dog in my house to remember him by. I don't think he had a soul, and nor do I believe in doggy heaven, but I miss him, and remember him fondly.

lewisnotmiller · Jul 2, 2018

PopeADope said:
@Father Heathen,
The question makes perfect sense,
As someone who keeps shrines for the dead, and loves cemeteries (sometimes taking the bus to other cities to visit them), knows that the money for flowers and transportation , and the time it takes is a sacrifice.... once you get to the cemetery, it can be difficult to find the grave you are searching for as well.

So, had I no faith that the dead continue living and be contacted, i would not bother with such traditions, or make such a sacrifice or pilgrimage, pay such respects and homage to the dead etc.

So, all things considered, the question makes perfect sense!

You're assuming the flowers are for the dead. That's not my experience.

`mud · Jul 2, 2018

hey Lewis,
Remembrance is everything.

Do atheists put flowers on graves?

Have you ever left flowers on someone's grave or talked to the dead?

Yes

No

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