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David W. said:

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/my2cents.gif" alt="" /> Does Amos 2:1 teach us anything about cremation? Also, when possible, shouldn't we lovingly bury our loved ones rather than burn them which is a ritual closely identified with paganism and false religions?

Dave,

That's an interesting verse. The book of Amos speaks about the judgment of God on all the nations (Amos 1:3-2:3), Judah (ch. 2:4,5), and Israel (ch. 2:6-16). Chapter 2:1 is specifically addressing the transgressions of Moab. According to Hebrew tradition, these are the bones of the Moabite king Mesha. Such burning indicated special contempt, and was thought to deprive the dead of peace in the afterlife.

We also find this carried out for similar reasons in 2 Kings 23:15,16 where Josiah burned the bones of false priests on the altar at Bethel.

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Dave W. writes:

One more thing, using martyrs and those who die in burning buildings and cars, plane crashes, etc. probably isn't the best argument to use in favor of cremation because those folks and their loved ones didn't plan for that "funeral".

This raises the question of whether the body suffers any eternal consequences for being burned or cremated. It appears it doesn't so maybe the examples in Amos and 2 Kings have to do with judgment, purification, and the Hebrew tradition. However, we must remember that the examples you've sighted above weren't by choice of the individual or their families.


Wes