2007-01-14 07:18:55 · 26 answers · asked by A 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In the Unitarian Universalist church, which is "non-creedal," and thereby has Atheists and Agnostics as well as Christians, there is often a candle lit for those who have died.
This is done as an act of rememberence, not as an act of theology.
2007-01-14 07:23:47 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Bad Day 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The lighting of the candle is done to honor the dead. As to whether or not there is an afterlife, how can you know? You can decide whether or not to believe in an afterlife, but if it exists, no amount of disbelief will make it stop existing. Nobody knows for sure.
2007-01-14 15:40:02 · answer #2 · answered by Raul D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm only guessing, but since you are asking this question, you must still be alive. How do you know there is no afterlife?
Why does it matter if people light candles for someone who is dead? Whatever comforts the living after a death shouldn't be denounced.
2007-01-14 15:24:35 · answer #3 · answered by Missing 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On what authority do you state that there is no afterlife. I feel sorry for you; you have no motivation to lead a productive, fulfilling life other than money or power. What is your motivation to be a good person? I'm really not into trying to shove belief down anyone's throat, but by your asking I sense a curiosity nonetheless.
2007-01-14 15:23:57 · answer #4 · answered by ta2dpilot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe what you believe.... That is other people believe after life.... I do believe in one because I did actually feel the spirits all around. The last time and never forget this one for the rest of my life that for the first time I felt the afterlife folks with me.
2007-01-14 15:26:52 · answer #5 · answered by Country Gal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is a large candle lighting ceremony in memory of someone it is a nice visual of how many people cared for your loved one. The light and warmth are very symbolic. Most ceremony after death is to help comfort loved ones so they can reach acceptance and carry on with their lives in a healthy state of mind.
2007-01-14 15:24:06 · answer #6 · answered by Bored Enough To Be Here 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The after life as you call it is a matter of faith or opinion. My opinion is that there is no end of life, only transition. You can't destroy energy, you can only convert it from on form to another.
As for lighting candles, it is just a symbolic tradition among certain groups of people. I wouldn't dispute whatever makes people feel better.
2007-01-14 15:37:40 · answer #7 · answered by Del C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like candles, and light one, or multiple ones, whenever I feel like it. If I am in a dark mood, I never touch a flame to a wick, for months, but that is the time I would wish for others to burn candles for me, and say a prayer. I just burn them accourding to my mood. I imagine there are many candles burning in the world all the time. Did you ever figure that people like doing things simply because it brings them enjoyment?
2007-01-14 15:26:10 · answer #8 · answered by Lukusmcain// 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rituals such as this are for the living the dead dont care !they are asleep as for afterlife
(Dn.12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.)
2007-01-14 15:22:51 · answer #9 · answered by revdauphinee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't know wht is the role of candle in this all But there is definitley a life after death !!
2007-01-14 15:23:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋