Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing
Kohima
All Religions of the world cater to the spiritual needs of men so that they do not wander in the world of illusions. The goal of religion is to transform humanity into divinity. All the same, religion can also cut down the life of its followers without any guilt and shame. The hurt we receive from close friends is deeper than that of strangers. Likewise, when religion hurts, the wounds are deep. Healing becomes difficult for many patients. Off course, Religion is not to please men and women but to release them from the bondage of sin and selfishness. In the course of its earthly journey, it can trample many innocent members to death. This is the new “Spiritual Stampede” that is fast emerging along with the fast growing numbers of man-made Churches in Nagaland.
There are churches who make personal law as the law of the church. The founder of the Church makes his own laws above the law of God. In the implementation of such blinded law, many get crushed under the rough wheel of religion. All that is lawful may not be beneficial for the members (1st Cor.10:23) I was saddened by the sudden demise of a young boy this year. Like any young boy, he must have dreamt of his future with lots of aspirations. But he was taken away by God at the wink of an eye. This is how death comes to us. Birth and death need no invitation. The shadow of death comes even forcefully to make their presence known to men. To the surprise of all, the young boy was denied funeral rites in his home town by the Pastor/Church leaders. I am sure they have turned the personal opinion of few people as a collage of another new Holy Bible for their personal use. I appreciate their Christian life, but Christian charity was absolutely missing. What is missing is more important than what is present. The best prayers inside the Church and in front of public did not find a place in their life. At least they could have given God a place in the corner, but they bluntly refused. God was ostracized by the church leaders for their personal whims.The forsaken soul of the young boy must be praying before God, “Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (Rom.7:24). I truly believe that the mercy of God will embrace such soul in heaven; Forsaken on earth to be received in heaven.
To deny a proper funeral rite for a baptized Christian is a sin. This sin is committed by Church leaders in all pride and arrogance. The young boy was denied Christian funeral. Why? Because he drinks sometimes. Since he drinks alcohol (sometimes), he cannot be given a proper funeral as per the norms of the Church. If this is the blanket to be thrown upon all, I believe only few will get the privilege of Christian funeral. Is the church becoming a gathering of blind guides? They lock people out of the Kingdom of heaven. They neither go in, nor allow others to go (Mt.23:13) I am certain that even the worst sons and daughters of a Pastor will be given the best funeral. Can a Pastor refuse Christian funeral for his own sons and daughters? He will not. A public leaders who is publicly corrupt and immoral to the core will be accorded an impressive funeral. Yet, the poor will have only a piece of stale bread inside the coffin. No pastor will come to pray for him (the pastors are too holy to touch sinners for fear of being infected by their sins). He is left alone spiritually and eternally by the members of the Church. This is hypocrisy. Some people can be excused because they donate huge sums of money to the Church. How can the Church deny them funeral? They should be buried hundred times for their constant financial support to the Church. Who should speak for the less privileged ones? Who should lift up the downtrodden ones of the society? Who should take people closer to the realm of heaven? The answer is ‘the Church.’ So if the Church willfully fails in its duties, shall we call this a sin or a new way of spirituality?
The Church should make sure that it does not become a thorn in the flesh of its members. Same law should be applied to all irrespective of their status in the Church or society. The Church need not shelter only the rich and the powerful. The poor also need some crumbs which fall from the master’s table (Mk.7:28)
There are some laws which clearly indicate refusal of Christian funeral to people. In cases of direct suicide or assisted suicide, funeral is denied gently but firmly. This is so because suicide is a direct taking of one’s life. Life belongs to God, not men. No man has the right over his life. Likewise, no man has the right to take his life. Doing so would mean disrespect to the creator (the gift is broken in front of the giver. This is an utter disrespect to God). Suicide is a direct insult to God. Therefore, by its very nature it is sinful. Therefore, funeral rites are not conducted (a person who does not respect his/her own life may not deserve respect from the Church) although a prayer can be said (not official prayers of the Church)
Likewise, notorious apostate, heretics, schismatic, public sinners (who die un-repented) are denied Christian funeral. They are denied because they willingly and consciously chose to be away from God and his Church.
Cases of accidents should not be termed under the banner of suicide. Accidents are not suicide. Some Pastors even refuse funeral for people who die in accidents. This is unjust. All church leaders need to learn the basis of faith and its practices. This will enlarge the horizon of one’s attitude and cleanse the wrong learning into a solid wisdom based on the word of God and love for one’s neighbour. With Prayers & Blessings
