The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum cremation

I see nothing in Amos 2:1 that relates to cremation of the dead. What is being condemned is not the act of the burning of the bones of the dead but the hatred and insult associated with it by the king of Moab and/or those involved with it. It was the hatred of Moab toward Edom, who were previously on good terms before the war, during which Edom sided with Israel and fought against Moab. There is actually no biblical record of this event other than this one place although there are lot's of people who have speculated on it. This act of hatred and contempt has little to do with believer's cremating their dead, IMHO. I have already written that I believe that burial is the ideal and should be done whenever possible. However, there are times when burial isn't possible. How else would YOU dispose of the dead in such situations if cremation is not an option?

I am NOT arguing in favor of cremation. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I hold that cremation isn't a sin and thus it is an option for disposing of the bodies of the dead, although burial is to be much preferred. The point of mentioning the martyrs, etc., wasn't to justify cremation, but rather to show that the burning of the body is no hindrance to a believer's participation in the second resurrection and final glorification. Men may destroy the body, even burn it into ashes, but God is able to recreate that which man destroys by whatever means he uses.