Protestants, do you visit the graves of your dearly departed loved ones?

I don't. My departed loved ones are not in their graves. Only their dead carcasses.

Bible perspective: whilst people misplaced sight of God and started to worship the planets, demons, and hero gods, they practiced frightening acts of cruelty, obscenity, and perversion (unnatural sexual acts). Even little little ones have been burned in the hearth (Lev. 18:21; 2Ki. 3:26- 27; sixteen:3; 17:17, 31; 21:6; 23:10- 11; 2Chr. 28:3; 33:6). lots of the classic countries shed human blood earlier their deities. Molech means "king." This grow to be the call of the foremost god of Ammon-- called Chemosh via Moabites (Biblical information approximately fake Gods). Molech grow to be worshiped in Egypt as Amun, or Amun- Ra, "the king of gods." What grow to be meant to be his likeness grow to be a statue of brass resting on a pedestal or throne of brass-- his head crowned and alongside with that of a calf, and his hands prolonged as though to incorporate all who got here close to. little ones have been his victims. The statue grow to be heated crimson warm via hearth interior and childrens have been shaken over the flames or surpassed in the process the nice and comfortable hands in dedication to it, to obtain Molech's prefer. It grow to be believed that one and all little ones no longer so committed could die in infancy. Many have been certainly burned alive in the idol (see the scriptures above). it form of feels that King Ahaz grow to be dedicated to Molech (2Ki. sixteen:3, 19- 20; 2Chr. 28:3). in accordance to Bible, the above pagan practices are abominations to God. 9 pagan practices: a million. Making little ones bypass in the process the hearth in worship to an idol god (Deut. 8:10) 2. utilising divination 3. staring at cases 4. Enchantments 5. Witchcraft ( witches and wizards) 6. utilising charms on others ( Deut. 18: 11) 7. Consulting everyday spirits or spirits of the deceased 8. Consulting medium 9. training necromancy. 3 instructions-- pagan practices: a million. do no longer learn the abominations of pagans. 2. do no longer prepare them regardless of in case you recognize them ( Deut. 18: 10- 11). 3. Be proper with the Lord ( Deut. 18: 13- 14).

Is it wrong to visit graves?

Some Christians visit the graves of their dear ones on their death anniversaries or on special occasions to pay their homage. Others don’t turn that side once the burial is over. To support their viewpoint they quote the words of the angels who were standing at the open tomb of Jesus, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" (Lk 24:5,6). But I wonder why several people belonging to the second category travel all the way to Palestine to see the Empty Tomb! Atleast Mary Magdalene and others had not known that Jesus had risen. But why oh why nearly 2000 years after His resurrection folks still want to visit that Tomb? There is yet another funny thing: There’s more than one tomb claimed to be that of Jesus! No one knows for sure which one was really occupied by His body!

The Bible has nothing to say against visiting a tomb in memory of the dead. In his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, Peter while talking about David said, "His tomb is with us to this day" (Acts 2:29). This obviously meant that they had been maintaining the tomb of David as a memorial. Whitewashing the tombstone was an annual routine (Mt 23:27). It was an accepted Jewish custom to visit tombs with spices for the bodies (Lk 24:1). Christians take flowers. If it is wrong to visit a grave, why should we build a structure at all over the pit?

I visit dad's grave once or twice every year or whenever I go to my dad's place. No doubt I weep when I stand before these graves, but the tears are mostly an offering of gratitude to God for what my parents had meant to me and my younger brother (Jn 11:31,35,36). I think of the values they had taught us and rededicate myself to practise them. I also pray that God would raise many such parents who would give away their firstborn for the Kingdom sake. Just like the material substance of bread and wine enables us to "remember" the Lord in a special way, visits to graves inspire us. Whenever I visit these cemeteries I also spend a few minutes before the tombs of great missionaries and notable saints who sleep there. Of the places I visited in England what remains fresh in my mind is the grave of John Bunyan and that of John Wesley. What an inspiration!

There are certain things we must not do while visiting graves. ÿ We cannot pray for the dead. "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb 9:27). There’s no second chance. Baptism for the dead was a non-apostolic practice, simply quoted by Paul to make his point (1 Cor 15:29). ÿ We should not pray to the dead also. The Bible strongly condemns any attempt to communicate with the dead. "Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?" (Isa 8:19c). ÿ Having sentimentality is not wrong, but ascribing sanctity to the place of burial will lead idolatrous practices. A dead man revived when his body touched the bones of Prophet Elisha (2 Ki 13:21). But in the case of Moses the greatest of all prophets, God buried his body in a place known to none. "No one knows his grave to this day" (Dt 34:5,6,10,11). Rare incidents do not teach anything normative.

When the Church of England slammed its door against John Wesley, he preached from his father’s tomb. God has used funeral sermons to break the hardest of hearts.

It was only a pagan belief that tombs were haunts for evil spirits. Both Gergesenes and Gadarenes were "Gentile" cities (Mt 8:28; Mk 5:1). One need not be afraid to visit cemeteries anytime, day or night.

No, I have to admit that I don't! Perhaps others might think it's bad.. but, my loved ones are not there, at the cemetery! They are with God.

I DO admit that sometimes, I ask God to say hello to them for me!!!!!