Do you know Jesus?

[barbeml]

My condolences.

It's not just funerals. DH and I went to a wedding two years ago where the officient (I have no idea which Christian denomination it was) ranted for half an hour about how a marriage is for three: husband, wife and god, and that no marriage can succeed unless god is in it and on and on and on. He was downright hostile.

I'm an Atheist and my marriage is just fine, thank you.

 

[Chuck S]

I went to friends funeral about a year ago. Not only did the minister act like it was an old fashioned 'hellfire & brimstone" revival, he went so far as to say if anyone is looking for a chuch, there are brochures in the back. And the funeral wasn't even AT a church, but a funeral home. Pathetic.

 

[Alyssa88]

OP, I agree. I went to my great grandmothers funeral. I didn't know her (I didn't even know of her until her death, for some reason my Mother kept me away from that side of the family) and I figured that maybe while at her funeral I might learn a little about her. The whole funeral seemed like a church service. People worshipped and sang and not one word was really said about her, except that she was with Jesus. I thought it was a bit strange, but that side of the family was really into it.

When my parents were speaking to the family and church memebrs at a social, I started to understand why I never knew them. Their biggest concern was whether or not we were going to the "right" church and why my sister and I had not been put into the Christian Academy. They also starting in on my when I expressed my plans for college (I was a sophomore in HS at the time). They told me that I would become brainwashed, not educated.

I am so sorry about your loss.

 

[perdidobay]

A similar situation at a Southern Baptist funeral for a two year old is what caused my DH to quit organized religion 30 years ago (I had become disgusted with it years before that).
for you, OP

 

[Fitswimmer]

So sorry to hear about your Grandmother AND about the treatment you received.

IMHO, talking about the deceased's faith practice at a funeral is fair game, but it shouldn't be assumed that all who attend share that faith or that they have any desire to.

 

[Amity 3]

When did funerals go bad?

a loooong time ago. way too much involvement from attorneys and funeral directors when you die anymore. not to mention the 'donation' to the leader of the church to perform the ceremony.

 

[cardaway]

not to mention the 'donation' to the leader of the church to perform the ceremony.

Since 10% of her estate is going to their church, you think they would have been more friendly and would have kept the serivce personal rather than go into the usual membership drive material.

 

[DisMN]

Cardaway, sorry to hear about your grandmother.

There are a few churches in my area that operate all fire and brimstone.
At one funeral I went to a few years ago the pastor went so far as to bellow to us, his "audience", how the deceased would NOT be going to heaven because of some "mistake" she had made years ago.
I couldn't believe my ears.......and the woman's husband just wilted from the admonishment the pastor was giving him for letting his wife "stray" so far from church teachings. Turns out the dead woman, the woman the funeral was for, disagreed with the pastor about the way he conducted his funerals.
I guess this was the pastors way of teaching her a lesson. What a jerk.
Last I heard the husband is going to a different church now.

 

[Crankyshank]

I am sorry for your loss.

I would be absolutely furious if I encountered that at a funeral for a loved one and would have given the pastor a verbal b-slap. That was extremely thoughtless and distasteful of a man of God to do.

 

[cardaway]

Fire and Brimstone is not how I would categorize this service, or what is likely their usual Sunday service.

I would call it passive agressiveness to the point of being quite slimy. He very slick in sneaking this stuff inbetween mentions of my grandmother being part of their flock rather than shouting it for everybody to hear.

It was pretty clear to me that he didn't know much about her beyond what he read in the obit notice and the visit he made to the home beforte she passed.

 

[Amity 3]

Since 10% of her estate is going to their church, you think they would have been more friendly and would have kept the serivce personal rather than go into the usual membership drive material.

wow, they tricked her into the 'final tithe' to make sure she gets into heaven on top of it.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that crap when you just wanted to remember your grandmother.

 

[DawnCt1]

I know Jesus but it is not a question that I presume to ask others, particularly at a funeral.

 

[aquinas]

The funeral was at a church where people proclaim Jesus. It should come as no surprise that the pastor mentions Jesus and the path to heaven.

I would suspect any level of mentioning Jesus would offend the OP given his established opinion of christianity.

 

[RC Fan]

Sorry for your loss.


I've been to services like this as well. Some people have no sense.

 

[Blue Skies]

I'm sorry for the loss of your Grandma.

I am confused as to why at some church's they think it is wrong to grieve? In the Bible even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

While people of faith can understand in their head that their loved one is likely in a better place... it's another thing for the heart to get over the loss of the loved one in this life.

 

[cardaway]

wow, they tricked her into the 'final tithe' to make sure she gets into heaven on top of it.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that crap when you just wanted to remember your grandmother.

Not sure if it was really "tricked", but yes, after what we experienced I'm wondering if still giving this church the money is the right thing to do.

 

[cardaway]

I would suspect any level of mentioning Jesus would offend the OP given his established opinion of christianity.

Nice. You can't help yourself can you?

 

[RC Fan]

The funeral was at a church where people proclaim Jesus. It should come as no surprise that the pastor mentions Jesus and the path to heaven.

I would suspect any level of mentioning Jesus would offend the OP given his established opinion of christianity.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest that rude behaviour is rude behaviour regardless of one's religious beliefs or lack thereof.

 

[aquinas]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and suggest that rude behaviour is rude behaviour regardless of one's religious beliefs or lack thereof.

Was it rude for a preacher to preach the gospel?

Was it rude for the lady to approach the OP at the funeral of his grandmother? yes, I do agree with that.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

wow, they tricked her into the 'final tithe' to make sure she gets into heaven on top of it.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that crap when you just wanted to remember your grandmother.

Trick??

Yes, the pastor should mention Jesus as salvation, but I don't think it's the time to specifically push on individuals.