In America, cremations now outnumber burials — what’s religion got to do with it?
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
My hippie wannabe wife insists that she wants to be cremated when she dies.
“I think it’s environmentally friendly,” my bride tells me. “Countless acres are filled up with remains inside caskets.
“Plus, it will allow me to spare you guys a lot of expense and possibly trauma and heartache,” she adds.
Rather than be buried in a cemetery, Tamie says she wants to be “mixed in with the roots of a tree and planted in the mountains in the breathtakingly beautiful area where six generations of my family have made memories together. I think it would be nice to contribute to nature rather than be a burden on it.”
Well, alrighty.
As for me, I want to be dressed in my Sunday best and await the resurrection with what’s left of my skin and bones fully intact. I don’t like flames. So it sounds like my wife of 27 years and I will — at some point hopefully many years in the future — spend the first part of eternity apart.
In all seriousness, we are both people of strong Christian faith — but we come down on different sides of the cremation vs. burial question.
I bring up the topic because of a fascinating Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story this week that noted cremation is becoming the new norm in America.
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All of my GetReligion columns (June 2017):
Continue reading “In America, cremations now outnumber burials — what’s religion got to do with it?”
Before baby bird leaves the nest, a trip to remember
A father and soon-to-fly-away daughter enjoy a travel adventure north of the U.S. border. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TORONTO — “A six-hour layover, eh?” I posted that wisecrack on Facebook as my 17-year-old daughter, Kendall, and I awaited a connecting flight. It was early afternoon on a snowy, late winter day at Toronto Pearson International Airport. My youngest child and I were in … Continue reading Before baby bird leaves the nest, a trip to remember
‘Join in with us to save Southwestern,’ prays new president of historically black Christian college
Terrell, Texas, institution works to overcome declining enrollment and beleaguered finances. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After nearly half a century with Jack Evans at the helm, Southwestern Christian College — the only historically black higher education institution associated with Churches of Christ — has a new president. Ervin D. Seamster Jr., senior minister for the 450-member Light of the World Church of Christ in … Continue reading ‘Join in with us to save Southwestern,’ prays new president of historically black Christian college
Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws
The Oklahoma Death Penalty Review Commission recommends that the moratorium on the death penalty be extended. Third Place, Criminal Justice Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) Most Oklahomans believe the devil is real. State Rep. Mike Ritze thinks that’s why they overwhelmingly support capital punishment, despite highly publicized problems with lethal-injection drugs that prompted state … Continue reading Bible Belt state with nation’s highest execution rate considers death penalty flaws
One church’s ‘compassionate and Christ-like’ approach to the opioid crisis
Amid national drug epidemic, Connecticut’s largest congregation joins its community’s fight. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Connecticut’s opioid crisis — part of a national epidemic — claimed more than 900 lives last year. “That is about three times more than the number who will die in car accidents and about six times more than will die from gun violence,” said Deirdre Daly, U.S. Attorney for the District … Continue reading One church’s ‘compassionate and Christ-like’ approach to the opioid crisis
Ph.D. optional: Why a Christian university with doctoral programs chose a preacher president
With the selection of minister David Shannon, Freed-Hardeman trustees emphasize spiritual leadership, communications skills and connections with Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When trustees of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., first identified preacher David Shannon as a candidate for the Christian university’s presidency, a key alumnus voiced concern about Shannon’s lack of academic credentials and higher education experience. That … Continue reading Ph.D. optional: Why a Christian university with doctoral programs chose a preacher president
A baptism, then a murder confession
Texas woman gave her life to Christ, owned up to a slaying — and got a life sentence. Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GATESVILLE, Texas — Lucinda Wilson might have gotten away with murder. Except that she became a Christian and confessed to her crime. Now 48, Wilson has served 20-plus years … Continue reading A baptism, then a murder confession
A favorite aunt has lived a full life; now she battles Alzheimer’s
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ALLEN, Texas — Aunt Melba has no idea who Harold Tidwell is, but he loves her. He loves her from deep in his soul. He cherishes her as if she were his own mother — a role she fulfilled for him and Gail Tidwell, his wife of nearly 50 years, after their parents died. Harold Tidwell, 78, … Continue reading A favorite aunt has lived a full life; now she battles Alzheimer’s
For third year in a row, Christian Chronicle named top newspaper by Associated Church Press
My Christian Chronicle colleague Chellie Ison reports: CHICAGO — For the third year in a row, The Christian Chronicle has earned top honors in the “Best of the Christian Press” contest, sponsored by the Associated Church Press. The Chronicle was awarded the first-place “Award of Excellence” in the prestigious “Best in Class” category for national and international newspapers. “The Christian Chronicle is consistently well planned, written, … Continue reading For third year in a row, Christian Chronicle named top newspaper by Associated Church Press
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 