Should a Baptist church lend its church building for a Buddhist funeral?

[PinkZebra]

I heard about a big Baptist church in a small town letting a Buddist family use the church facilities for a funeral. The Buddhist church was too small and they expected about 400 people. I have mixed feelings about it and wondered what everyone else thinks about it. From what I heard, it was a full blown Buddhist funeral.

Positives: The Baptist church is showing love which is what Christianity is all about
The Baptist church is also showing compassion, and sharing and sensitivity.

Negatives: Allowing Buddhist insence, statues, etc. (whatever is used in those types of funerals)
into the "house of God" seems kinda like a big "no-no" in the church
-What happens next time a Buddhist person wants to use this church for a funeral, are
the Baptists obligated now?

And then I think, Maybe a building is just a building too and it shouldn't be a big deal?

 

[Wookiegirl]

I think it shows precisely what Christ like love is, which is the very basis of not only the baptist religion but many others and is really a very beautiful gesture.

I don't think the God I believe in would be mad that some statues were in a building as much as he would be proud to see Christians opening their 'home' to different people.

 

[BlackCherry]

I think any time religion can get over its man-made barriers and help its brothers, sisters, etc. as it was intended, it's a good thing.

Er...basically I just agreed with Wooks.

 

[SgtSpike]

I think it shows precisely what Christ like love is, which is the very basis of not only the baptist religion but many others and is really a very beautiful gesture.

I don't think the God I believe in would be mad that some statues were in a building as much as he would be proud to see Christians opening their 'home' to different people.

I agree. Jesus didn't hang out with the priests and temple worshipers - he hung out with the tax collectors and the prostitutes. Though the church is the house of God and should be considered sacred, I think opening up the door to people is much more important.

 

[PinkZebra]

I think any time religion can get over its man-made barriers and help its brothers, sisters, etc. as it was intended, it's a good thing..

:thumbup:thumbup I do agree with that!

 

[PinkZebra]

I agree. Jesus didn't hang out with the priests and temple worshipers - he hung out with the tax collectors and the prostitutes. Though the church is the house of God and should be considered sacred, I think opening up the door to people is much more important.

Yes, and what better way to show that you care......especially when involves a grieving family.
I think that Buddhist family will now have a genuine feeling of love shown to them by the Christians.
And for those who were at the funeral that were not Buddhist, maybe they'll come back and give the Baptist church a try since they were so gracious.
Not that it matters, but, I just found out that a bigger church in the same town was asked first and turned them down. The Baptist church was the second choice, and I'm sure that it was a hard decision for both churches to figure out what to do.

 

[sierrabravo]

if they own the building, they can let whomever use it that they want to

 

[Peter Parka]

See, this a good thing religion can do so show it can be good, loving and tolerant. I hear that phrase "What would Jesus do?" all too often. Well do you really think he would say "Fuck off and burn in hell Buddhist, not in my church!?"

 

[PinkZebra]

No....he wouldn't say that

 

[SgtSpike]

See, this a good thing religion can do so show it can be good, loving and tolerant. I hear that phrase "What would Jesus do?" all too often. Well do you really think he would say "Fuck off and burn in hell Buddhist, not in my church!?"

Absolutely not, and that is the part that gives me second thoughts about the whole gay marriage thing.

On the one hand, it's almost like we're condoning a sinful act if we recognize gay couples as being married, but on the other hand, are we just doing more damage by pushing those people away?

We are called to be set apart from the world, to not follow the ways of the world, but Jesus hung out with the tax collectors and prostitutes. So should we just not care about those who want to live in sin?

It's a hard question for Christians to answer, and that's why you see some churches accepting it and saying it is ok, while others are very blatantly against it. I have been against it, but even chatting on this forum has begun to change my mind. Is it worth pushing people away from Christianity to prove a point that homosexuality is wrong?

 

[Peter Parka]

Very good comment!:clap I have no problem with people disagreeing with homosexuality just as long as they dont treat anyone different because of it.

 

[deep impact]

is it problem for buddhists ?

 

[kelvin070]

Basically it promotes religious harmony. For a church to allow people of another faith to use its facilities is very rare

 

[PinkZebra]

For a church to allow people of another faith to use its facilities is very rare

Thats why the story caught my attention! I still have mixed feelings, but I'm starting to feel that this church did the right thing when they were asked.
I've only been to "Christian" led funerals where usually if the person who died is a believer of Christ its all about that person going to heaven. I can't even imagine what it is like at a Buhhdist funeral. Where does the person go after they die if they are Buhhdist? Do they believe they are reincarnated?
Are the people attending left with any hope?

 

[thatguyjeff]

On sooooo many levels, wow. Just, wow.