Christian Propaganda?

[JayTheWiz]

My Mother's funeral was yesterday and as I mentioned in another post on another topic, the pastor was VERY long winded, but there was something that bothered me at the end of the service. He basically said that if she were still alive she would have basically said, "Yo bro, you need to get Jesus into your heart; It's awesome." (Not exactly a direct quote... But what he said was way too long for me to remember...)

For starters, I'm fairly certain my Mom wouldn't say that, but that is not his fault. He assumed she was Christian because my Dad assumed she was still Christian. She had actually abandoned Christianity a while ago, but my Dad was either never told that or was in denial about it.

Regardless, a funeral REALLY does not seem the place to start trying to get converts and I don't see that line being directed to anyone BUT potential converts. It just bothered me... I myself am Agnostic, but have nothing against Christianity and can certainly tolerate the verse readings and participate in the prayers. Maybe I'm just thinking about it too much, but I really don't see that comment giving comfort to any Christian. Of course, not being one, I probably just don't get it or something. I'm just wondering if that really is a usual way to finish a eulogy, or if there really is a reason to be upset.

[Shauna]

I can tell where all your posts are going from now on.

[JayTheWiz]

At 10/11/13 02:32 AM, Shauna wrote: I can tell where all your posts are going from now on.

Yes, every post I will ever make ever from here on out will be dedicated to debunking Christianity. I will only make posts that are about how Jesus is a magician or something. I'll never talk about politics, crime, etc, etc, unless it somehow ties back to that.

I love assumptions... I'm serious open to any and all responses or answers, so long as they are constructive. If you won't to try me, please do.

[JimmyTheCaterpillar]

I doubt the pastor was trying to get Christian converts... I think he was just trying to emphasize Heaven and everything, which can be comforting to some, knowing that she is INDEED in a better place. While it's possible your theory is correct, I wouldn't bet on it.

May your mother rest in peace. It must be really hard.

[JayTheWiz]

At 10/11/13 02:39 AM, brokenrecord6299 wrote: I doubt the pastor was trying to get Christian converts... I think he was just trying to emphasize Heaven and everything, which can be comforting to some, knowing that she is INDEED in a better place. While it's possible your theory is correct, I wouldn't bet on it.

Yeah, I thought about that since that is the usual way I've heard eulogies end... The wording just kind of weirded me out.

May your mother rest in peace. It must be really hard.

Thank you. It's been tough, but me and my family are getting through it.

[supermofo]

At 10/11/13 02:39 AM, brokenrecord6299 wrote:

which can be comforting to some, knowing that she is INDEED in a better place.

It's impossible to know that, are you trying to start a flame war or something?

[DarkMatter]

I'm sorry for your loss. My only advice is to be happy with the ceremony, I personally can't stand preachers, churches, and religion, but... going through the motions of ceremony and ritual seems to make a persons death more meaningful, and remembered. Perhaps the guy didn't really care about your mother, and wanted to spread his beliefs, so fuck that guy, but don't let his hypocritical religious beliefs bring you down dude.

[Fim]

First and foremost, I'm sorry for your loss. I hope you can take something positive out of this and it makes you stronger.

As for the pastor, I think you've got to appreciate the context of what he actually said, he's a pastor doing a speech in a church, and he was probably under impression your mum was a christian. I'm going to presume he didn't know your mum so he probably just said something generic that he would have said at most funerals.

[supergandhi64]

i'm sorry for your loss jaythewiz . . . i'm familiar with the funerals of close relatives & i know that it can be emotionally taxing. if you felt that the minister was being too long winded then that's a sign that you were tired or emotionally exhausted. at that point what the minister meant to convey & what you interpreted may have been very different. i'm sure the minister had the best intentions for you & your family but perhaps didn't know you well enough to properly act on his intentions

--supergandhi64

[vannila-guerilla]

There is reason to be upset. Your tragedy is nothing to capitalize on for any reason.

[JRob]

I know that feel, bro. It's a funeral - not a church service.

[zmatt007]

Religion will almost always tie into funerals, so I say just deal with it.

[Bri]

As an older guy, I have been to too many funerals, in recent years. I think that the answer is probably to get your head around the fact that a funeral is to give friends, family, etc, closure, to be able to walk away, and say whatever they feel as though they need to say, and carry on the rest of their lives.

I think that this applies to close family, as well, I have found myself at funerals thinking to myself "What the fuck am I doing here? I don't even believe in this." but, I still feel it is the right thing to do for others who are attending, for whatever reason.

I honestly think that pastors/vicars are in an unfortunate position, that the reality is they don't know who the fuck is in the coffin, as they have never had the fortune/misfortune to meet them, but at the end of the day, they have a job to do, and relay information given to them, by the family, and try to come across as empathic, and understanding of the person they are relating to. I think we must all draw our own conclusions as to what our deceased loved ones were, and believed in.

I do understand your feelings, losing the person who was probably the most important person in your life, but I am sure that your mother would want you to live the rest of your life to the fullest, remembering her with fondness.

[yurgenburgen]

pastors/priests/missionaries prey on the vulnerable
from their point of view, a funeral is a terrific place to start recruiting new faith heads; when people are emotional and upset they are much easier to convince one way or the other.

[NekoMika]

At 10/11/13 03:31 PM, JRob wrote: I know that feel, bro. It's a funeral - not a church service.

This. I've been to two funeral services and both times, we only talked about the person themself and rarely talked about their religion.

[JayTheWiz]

Thanks for those who gave the "Sorry for you loss" comments (I know there is a proper term but I don't know what it is... Sorrows, I think. Sorry, bringing up the topic does kind of jumble my mind.)

I'm thinking that the fact that the preacher didn't know my Mom did play a part, and I'm just going to assume that he was doing the usual heaven allusions and alluding to the idea that we will see her again one day. I think the idea of me being exhausted may have resulted in me just twisting his comments into something that wasn't there. Still, I do think that the specific way he made the allusion was just strange... Personally, I would of said "She's in a better place now, and one day you will all see her again." or something like that and leave it at that, but of course I'm not a preacher...

[Ron-Geno]

As long as they are not Jehovah Witnesses

sorry for the passing of your mom