Abstract
The modern trend to keep death at a distance has a negative impact on Christians. It seems as if the Church is following this societal pattern and is incompetent to provide sufficient information and preparation to church members. This can be one of the reasons why people who are confronted by the trauma of death, are not able to coupe or find comfort and security in their faith. The historical development of funeral rites, as well as the viewpoint of the different South African sister churches regarding funerals, are responsible for the current gap in ministry to the bereaved. This gap can be filled by redirecting the theological focus of the church, also by providing information, training and guidance to both church members and support groups, and by reforming funeral rites.
Highlights
The modern trend to keep death at a distance has a negative impact on Christians
Meer as 1500 mense sterf daagliks in Suid-Afrika. 10% van die sterftes is as gevolg van motorongelukke en meer as 8% is as gevolg van geweld (Statistics South Africa 2005:37)
Tegnologiese en mediese ontwikkeling is daarvoor verantwoordelik dat ‘n kleiner gedeelte van die bevolking in die westerse samelewing op een dag sterf as in enige gemeenskap, enige tyd in die verlede, maar dit beteken nie dat die dood onbekend geword het nie
Summary
Meer as 1500 mense sterf daagliks in Suid-Afrika. 10% van die sterftes is as gevolg van motorongelukke en meer as 8% is as gevolg van geweld (Statistics South Africa 2005:37). Dit het tot gevolg dat die dood nie meer as ‘n natuurlike deel van die lewe gesien word nie, maar as ‘n randverskynsel waarmee persoonlike konfrontasie so ver as moontlik vermy word. Dit is waarskynlik in die lig hiervan dat daar geen verwysings na begrafnisse op die webwerf van hierdie kerk gevind kon word nie. Daar is beslis ‘n behoefte aan inligting, opleiding en toerusting sodat lidmate effektief begelei kan word deur die trauma van dood en begrafnis. Net soos daar vir die ander oorgang stadiums in die mens se lewe intensiewe voorbereidings getref word, behoort dit ook ten opsigte van die dood te geld. Hopelik sal die praktiese uitlewing van Christelike geloofswaardes die kerk kan terugbring by die situasie wat in die vierde eeu gegeld het, naamlik dat selfs ongelowiges daardeur na redding getrek word. Die neiging om die dood tot ‘n randverskynsel te minimaliseer en ander hedendaagse sienings oor begrafnisgebruike word daarna uitgelig, waarna die rol en taak wat die kerk ten opsigte van begrafnisgebruike bespreek word
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