My sister says, "people should not speak badly of the dead". But I say, if a person was a mean,rude,son of a bitc#$%% when they were alive, being dead does not make them nice. What do yall think? Was Hitler suddenly a saint because the freak died? I think not!
2007-10-03 10:34:43 · 25 answers · asked by sandra b 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I've known people who have died that were just very bad people. If someone asked my opinion of them I certainly never lied about it. I never went so far as to say I was glad they were dead, but they're being gone didn't hurt my feelings any. As far as volunteering my opinion, that's another story. I won't go around telling people how I felt, but if asked then I will give my 2 cents' worth. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one who hates everyone who dies. I always try to find the good in people, but if it's not there, it's not there.
2007-10-03 11:41:39 · answer #1 · answered by ndn_ronhoward 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
That advice has been around for a long time and I think it is more for the living than the dead. It wouldn't be good manners to speak ill of the dead and have it get back to a grieving widow. It also goes to not judging another person, you know, don't criticize unless you have walked a mile in their shoes, etc.
It does not mean a bad person is suddenly a saint once they die. That is not true and we should learn from the mistakes of others.
2007-10-03 11:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by Sunnidaze 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tough question.
My biological Father divorced my Mother when I was five Months old. My Father had a young beautiful Spanish lady that he had been married to in Spain and had a second Family for four years until my Mother found out. At the age of nine I was transplanted to the United States from Greece. I missed the beauty and the serenity of the Family Villa in Korthio. When my father passed away my Brother laughed and made the comment that he would feel worse if it was one of my Mothers friends that had passed on. There has been bad blood between us ever since the day that he spoke those words. I asked him who the *%*#$@& made you God?
It was fair to bring you into this World but that is where you draw the line? &%^$#(++$#* you and your Oral Roberts University. He has never received such an *** kicking his entire life until then. I have not seen my Mother for over fifteen years during the Holidays. The looser is there every Christmas and I refuse to even set my eyes on him. The next time I will kill the SOB without having a guilty concious.
2007-10-03 15:20:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well there is being polite and then there is being truthful. The two aren't always the same.
There are a lot of things that qualify how we think about the dead. Almost no one is all bad or all good. For instance, Hitler was relatively good to his family and friends. If you were to ask them they might answer differently that the average American or British citizen would.
I personally don't have any qualms about saying someone was mean or abusive after they have died, as long as it is true.
2007-10-03 10:45:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is disrespectful to some and should be recognized as such. It doesn't do anyone any good to speak badly of the dead. You would probably want people to remember you in a nice way right? Don't be a rude dude!
2007-10-03 10:40:33 · answer #5 · answered by Rocko Barbella 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, most people have bad things to say about Hitler. And quite rightly. But if I was asked to speak at the funeral of somebody who I knew to be a complete ********, I would decline the invitation.
2007-10-03 11:48:34 · answer #6 · answered by Dr Know It All 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sandra, no reason to swear, it does belong among us great people.
We all have made our mistakes alive, so did the dead, and they are forgiven, so you must also forgive them, or their sins will be on your head.
Look up your ancestors, keep a records of them.
After if it was not for the, YOU will not be here to-day!
2007-10-03 12:43:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it shows maturity and growth when you can do right by people that have wronged you. It makes you more of a person, and if you're not that then that's a choice you have the right to make for yourself. But it's always nice to see the former.
2007-10-03 10:37:39 · answer #8 · answered by Answerer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on who you are talking to. If you are talking to someone who shared your feelings it is okay, but if you are talking to the dead person's family or friends (i.e. at a funeral) it is better to show respect or not put yourself in such situations. I speak ill of some deceased people who were rotten to me and my immediate family if they come up in conversation, but it is childish to start a conversation just to disrespect someone in any case.
2007-10-03 10:51:56 · answer #9 · answered by Derek 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think there are some places you wouldn't talk about them being mean, like at their funeral or with their widow, but you're right, dead doesn't automatically mean nice, and saying so is a lie.
2007-10-03 10:38:04 · answer #10 · answered by smartsassysabrina 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋