Re: warning- long commentboliverMarch 2 2007, 21:21:26 UTC
I get what you're saying about each person attending the funeral having their own perspective on things, and that makes sense. At the same time, the pastor didn't just talk about what a devout person my grandfather was. That would have been fine- we're there to honor him, and remember him, warts and all. Whatever I believe about missle systems, he worked on them; it just...IS. Not changeable, and thus worthy of our thinking on it. If it were your funeral, or wedding, and the service focused on your beliefs, it's all good- we're there for you.
But for the pastor to put a personal challenge down to us, as if it's from him, I don't get that. If it were directly from the deceased, as in rusty's example of what her mother might want to be said, then that's good, too; it's someone who knows me, asking me if I'm honorable, which seems fair. Maybe the pastor was passing on something from Papa directly, but he just didn't specify that.
But the pastor doesn't know me, and it would be different were I attending a Sunday service of his, where he gets to say whatever. But attending a funeral is voluntary, but isn't at the same time. I would kinda hope that that would make a difference in how he chose to temper his words to be more inclusive of the inevitable family member who isn't on the same spiritaul path as other folk. You know, people like Malcolm Reynolds.
Thanks for your response. It's always refreshing to hear from people I care about and respect, but who see things from a different direction.
But for the pastor to put a personal challenge down to us, as if it's from him, I don't get that. If it were directly from the deceased, as in rusty's example of what her mother might want to be said, then that's good, too; it's someone who knows me, asking me if I'm honorable, which seems fair. Maybe the pastor was passing on something from Papa directly, but he just didn't specify that.
But the pastor doesn't know me, and it would be different were I attending a Sunday service of his, where he gets to say whatever. But attending a funeral is voluntary, but isn't at the same time. I would kinda hope that that would make a difference in how he chose to temper his words to be more inclusive of the inevitable family member who isn't on the same spiritaul path as other folk. You know, people like Malcolm Reynolds.
Thanks for your response. It's always refreshing to hear from people I care about and respect, but who see things from a different direction.
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