Christianity teaches that all humans have an immortal soul, it lives on and goes with them to heaven when the physical body of a person dies
They believe the soul is the 'breath of life which God gave to Adam
When Eve picked the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden,original sin was introduced to the world
^The way in which humans are born with a lack of holiness about them- different to sins people actually commit themselves
^Cleansed when someone is baptised
The crucifixion of Jesus is a very important teaching- God in human form (part of the Trinity). When Jesus died and was resurrected 3 days later, he atoned for the origninal sin of Adam and Eve and overcame the power of death
^Humans were forgiven their sins because of this. Jesus' death cleansed humanity so people's immortal souls were now able to survive death and reach heaven
2 of 3
Funeral Rites
Christian is dying --> Christian minister will try to visit to help them prepare for their death. The person may wish to confess their sins, Roman Catholics- receive a sacrament-Anointing of the Sick
^Anointed with the Oil of Unction, consecrated every year by a bishop at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday
Funeral services usually take place in a church and then the body is buried or cremated
The opening of the funeral service is usually the reading of a passage from John: 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die'
Some Christians may have a Requeim Mass
Churches are often decorated with white flowers-represent new life with God which the person is now entering
Body finally laid to rest the priest or minister will say: 'Ashes to ashes, dust to dust'
Candles are lit- reminder that Christians are saved because Jesus was the 'Light of the World'. The rising smoke is said to represent the soul or prayers to the soul rising to heaven
A gravestone is placed at the sight later. It contains details of the person's life and often a prayer or Bible quotation. To reinforce their beliefs that the person is now with God and not forgotten, people may put flowers on the grave during special occassions e.g. birthdays
Comments
No comments have yet been made