There is this common statement made in Church or during prayer meetings I feel uncomfortable with. It usually goes like this; ''let us thank God because some people that were here last year are not alive today''. My problem with this statement is that it assumes that we are more fortunate than all those that are dead. But as christians are we not supposed to see the faithfuls departed as the more fortunate ones since they have reunited with God. Are we really better than the dead?

Sorry they don't make such statement in my church

Interesting observation

clefstone:
There is this common statement made in Church or during prayer meetings I feel uncomfortable with. It usually goes like this; ''let us thank God because some people that were here last year are not alive today''. My problem with this statement is that it assumes that we are more fortunate than all those that are dead. But as christians are we not supposed to see the faithfuls departed as the more fortunate ones since they have reunited with God. Are we really better than the dead?

"Are we really better than the dead?"

I bet no one living can answer that question.

Most Christians however assume they are better than the dead. And instead of simply thanking God for their lives, they must mock the dead while thanking God.

No bro
it is lets thank God for allowing us seeing the light of the day not because we our righteous neither are we prayerful, but we live because of your (grace).
Bro not being fortunate but living by grace

Meel:
No bro
it is lets thank God for allowing us seeing the light of the day..

You need God's permission to see the light of the day?

clefstone:
There is this common statement made in Church or during prayer meetings I feel uncomfortable with. It usually goes like this; ''let us thank God because some people that were here last year are not alive today''. My problem with this statement is that it assumes that we are more fortunate than all those that are dead. But as christians are we not supposed to see the faithfuls departed as the more fortunate ones since they have reunited with God. Are we really better than the dead?

Actually, it is the dead that ended it Hell that we can claim we are better than becos we still have chance of repentance, but dead like apostle Paul who made it to heaven is far better than us.

Mjshexy:
Sorry they don't make such statement in my church

and what church is that?

AwesomeDuru:
90% of Christians don't understand what they pray about..Their prayers are merely repetitive, often consisting of things they have crammed over the years..

I agree with u. But our pastors/reverends should pray in tune with the teachings of Christ

clefstone:
and what church is that?

Living faith church kubwa abuja.
What they say is let's thank God for giving us the privilege to see a new day, month or year because many who were more worthy & righteous than us are unfortunately no longer here with us. Maybe it's ur pastor making the wrong speech, it's not all prayers u say Amen to sha

folksync:


"Are we really better than the dead?"

I bet no one living can answer that question.

Most Christians however assume they are better than the dead. And instead of simply thanking God for their lives, they must mock the dead while thanking God.

it's insensitive and annoying to me. Imagine how someone who lost a love one recently will feel in the audience

Mjshexy:
Living faith church kubwa abuja.
What they say is let's thank God for giving us the privilege to see a new day, month or year because many who were more worthy & righteous than us are unfortunately no longer here with us. Maybe it's ur pastor making the wrong speech, it's not all prayers u say Amen to sha

''unfortunately no longer here with us''. Now, doesn't your bible tell u that it's a good thing when a righteous person dies? How is it now unfortunate. That very statement already expresses disbelief in the afterlife

clefstone:
''unfortunately no longer here with us''. Now, doesn't your bible tell u that it's a good thing when a righteous person dies? How is it now unfortunate. That very statement already expresses disbelief in the afterlife

Yea it may be a good thing but the permanent passing away of a soul is always a painful loss for family & loved ones & this is d reason why people weep & mourn, u don't xpect them to start dancing & laughing wen a soul passes on. I pray u don't loose a close family member & see hw painful it is. So sir it is an unfortunate demise which we all cannot question but must just accept as d will if the Creator, I hope u re clear now

clefstone:
''unfortunately no longer here with us''. Now, doesn't your bible tell u that it's a good thing when a righteous person dies? How is it now unfortunate. That very statement already expresses disbelief in the afterlife

Your questions and more have been answered here:
http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets

Mjshexy:
Yea it may be a good thing but the permanent passing away of a soul is always a painful loss for family & loved ones & this is d reason why people weep & mourn, u don't xpect them to start dancing & laughing wen a soul passes on. I pray u don't loose a close family member & see hw painful it is. So sir it is an unfortunate demise which we all cannot question but must just accept as d will if the Creator, I hope u re clear now

I agree with u that it is very painful to lose a loved one. Infact, it's the most painful occurrence one can think of. However, when a loved one dies in righteousness, it's not the dead that suffers but those left behind that must suffer the separation. Why then would your Church tag the dead as 'unfortunate'. The truth is, anyone that believes in heaven will view the dead believers as 'very fortunate' indeed

clefstone:
I agree with u that it is very painful to lose a loved one. Infact, it's the most painful occurrence one can think of. However, when a loved one dies in righteousness, it's not the dead that suffers but those left behind that must suffer the separation. Why then would your Church tag the dead as 'unfortunate'. The truth is, anyone that believes in heaven will view the dead believers as 'very fortunate' indeed

It's good u understand what i'm talking about, it means av not been wasting my time. Now an unfortunate event means wishing something didn't happen or wishing u had d power to stop it from happening but since it has occurred, we just must accept our fate & move on. Now put this into my description, no matter hw righteous the person was, as humans with feelings we would still have wished it hadn't happen. Thanks