DOES THE BAPTIST OR METHODIST RELIGION  ACCEPT CREMATION AS  PROPER BURIAL
RITES? AND IF SO, WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL REFERENCE CONCERNING IT?
THANKS RAY

Dear raysmith1-ga;

Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question.

These two articles do a wonderful job explaining the modern
“Christian” position on the issue of cremation, complete with biblical
references in support of each statement. It was, however, written by a
Baptist minister who indicates that the practice is discouraged as
having “a heathen origin and purpose” according to Biblical scripture.

CONCERNS ABOUT CREMATION
http://www.goye.org/cremation.htm

CREMATION
http://members.truepath.com/chewelahbaptist/cremation.htm

For your convenience, I have found an online Bible for you so you can
examine each of the scriptures yourself:

THE HOLY BIBLE
http://www.bibleontheweb.com/Bible.asp


As for the modern Methodist position on cremation, I refer you to this
informative article in which Rev. Hoyt Hickman, who helped create the
United Methodist Church's funeral and memorial services, says, “The
denomination has no proscriptions against cremation”. He went on to
indicate, “all of the denomination's liturgical resources clearly
indicate the act as an option.”

CREMATION GAINS WIDER ACCEPTANCE AMONG CHRISTIAN FAITH TRADITIONS
http://umns.umc.org/99/nov/611.htm

It goes without saying that in this age of change, some denominations
which may have traditionally condemned or supported a variety of
things in the past have been known to allow a certain degree of
discretion among its congregants and churches in more recent times.
Regardless of the “official” position of the church it may not be
unlikely to find a Baptist being cremated at his own behest or a
Methodist who vehemently opposed the idea. Such decisions would
probably go unadressed by the churches and seen as one of the many
choices one must make, for better or worse. While these articles
clearly point out the official position of these particular churches
(the ones who sanctioned these articles), it is virtually impossible
to poll every similar denomination in order to get their take on the
matter. In addition, there are many versions of Baptist and Methodist
beliefs. More fundamental religions, those of the evangelistic Baptist
variety, for example, have little or no official “handbook” or
doctrine at all, and depend largely upon the interpretation of the
Bible, which they hold to be literal and infallible, as their sole
guide. This, of course, is subject to change from one congregation to
another depending upon which interpretation the elders of the church
are more inclined to accept.

Below you will find that I have carefully defined my search strategy
for you in the event that you need to search for more information. By
following the same type of searches that I did you may be able to
enhance the research I have provided even further. I hope you find
that that my research exceeds your expectations. If you have any
questions about my research please post a clarification request prior
to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating and your final
comments and I look forward to working with you again in the near
future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga


INFORMATION SOURCES

CONCERNS ABOUT CREMATION
http://www.goye.org/cremation.htm

CREMATION
http://members.truepath.com/chewelahbaptist/cremation.htm

THE HOLY BIBLE
http://www.bibleontheweb.com/Bible.asp

CREMATION GAINS WIDER ACCEPTANCE AMONG CHRISTIAN FAITH TRADITIONS
http://umns.umc.org/99/nov/611.htm


SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINE USED:

Google ://www.google.com


SEARCH TERMS USED:

CREMATION BAPTISTS

CREMATION METHODISTS

HI! RAYSMITH 1. JUST BEEN READING ALL THE COMMENTS AND ANSWERES YOU
HAVE RECEIVED. IF YOU APPLY THESE SCRIPTURES, YOU WILL FIND OUT FOR
YOURSELF THAT THE COMMENTERS AND WRITERS HAVE ALL BEEN SIDETRACKED BY
THE MAINLINE RELIGIONS WHO HAVE INTRODUCED THEIR OWN IDEAS. GENESIS
2;7 "MAN CAME TO BE A LIVING SOUL..HE BECAME A SOUL, A LIVING PERSON.
HE WAS NOT GIVEN A SOUL. THAT SCRUBS ALL THE RELIGIONS THAT BELIEVE IN
REINCARNATION. ALSO SCRUBS THE NOTION OF GHOSTS. PEOPLE DO SEE THINGS
BUT THESE ARE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE DEVIL. HE IS GOD`S ENEMY AND THE
BIBLE SAYS HE TRIED TO INFLUENCE JESUS TO DO AN ACT OF WORSHIP TO HIM.
GOD DID HAVE THE OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS BURIED, BUT HE NEVER SAID
ANYWHERE IN HIS WORD THE BIBLE, THAT BELIEDIVINATION, SPIRITISM VERS
HAD TO BE BURIED. THE HEAVENLY FIRE HE USED AS A PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE
HE DISAPPROVED JUST SHOWS HIS POWER. IF THE BIBLE WANTS SOMETHING NOT
TO BE DONE, IT SPELLS IT OUT. E.G.DEUT.18: 10-12 "SHOULD NOT EMPLOY
DIVINATION,PRACTISES MAGIN, LOOKS FOR OMENS, BINDS ANOTHER WITH A
SPELL CONSULTS A MEDIUM OR PROFESSIONAL FORTUNETELLER. THESE ORDERS
SCRUBS HOROSCOPES, AND TAROT READERS AMONG OTHERS. THERE ARE MANY
OTHER SCRIPTURES THAT THE MAIN CHURCHES HAVE TWISTED. I HAVE YET TO
HEAR ANY RELIGIOUS LEADER EXPLAIN FIRST CORINTHIANS 15;54.. DEATH IS
SWALLOWED UP FOREVER. THAT TO ME MEANS THAT AT SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE,
CLOSER THAN YOU THINK, PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING GOD`S WILL WILL NO LONGER
DIE. AND THAT MEANS LIVING FOREVER. WHERE. NOT IN HEAVEN, THAT IS
ALREADY FULL OF MYRIADS OF ANGELS [REV.12;7] SO IT MUST BE HERE ON
EARTH [PSALM 37;10, 11, 28,29. AND LET`S NOT FORGET WHAT JESUS SAID,IN
FIRST CORINTHIANS 11;25, THIS CUP MEANS A NEW COVENANT [ NEW
AGREEMENT] BECAUSE OF JESUS, ALL THE STRICT RULES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
WERE REPLACED WITH ONE SIMPLE ONE...LOVE GOD AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR
AS YOURSELF. IF THE CHURCHES DID THIS, THEY WOULD NOT BLESS MEN GOING
TO WAR.