Is it against the Bible to bow to a dead person in his/her coffin to show respect to him/her?

[stephenlxm]

Hi,

I am not from an English-speaking country. In my culture, after someone dies, he or she is placed into a coffin and stays in a house for a couple of days. Before the burial, people come to bow to the dead person in his or her coffin to show respect to him or her.

I wonder if it is against the Bible to bow in this context.

God bless you.

Thanks.

 

[Salty]

I dont see anything in the Bible that prohibits it.
and as you said, it is in your culture to do so.

Here in the USA - some will kneel at the coffin, but it is more of
a religious thing - especially for Catholics - who then will give the sign of the cross.

 

[stephenlxm]

Thank you very much for your answer.

One more question: Is it against the Bible to bow to the dead person's grave?

 

[Salty]

Same basic answer - - I dont see such a prohibition in the Bible -
and if it is acceptable in your culture. - I see it as showing respect to the deceased.

BTW, could you share with us what country you are in?

 

[stephenlxm]

I live in China.

 

[Salty]

My nephew, Mike just moved to Shenzhen, China, he will be teaching English for little ones.

 

[Jordan Kurecki]

I know that in some cultures, they bow down and worship the dead person, for example in Hong Kong I know they worship their ancestors. If other people are going to view your bowing down as worshipping the dead person, then I would say yes it is wrong. There is nothing wrong with showing respect for those who pass, but if the bowing or reverence is done because that culture/religion teaches that you receive favor from the deceased ancestor then yes it is wrong.

 

[Rob_BW]

Since the west's traditional greeting, the handshake, requires two people where bowing doed not, it's hard to find something analogous.

But then I remembered the salute, and the guidance is: During a military funeral, members of the Armed Forces are expected to wear their service dress uniform and be prepared to salute when: the hearse passes in front of them, anytime the flag-draped casket is moved, during the formal gun salute, during the playing of Taps and when the casket is lowered into the ground.

So our culture does render such signs of respect to the dead. The main thrust is that these are not forms of worship.

 

[Salty]

Excellent response Rob
You did hit the nail on the head - Respect and worship ARE two different things.

There are those who believe by saying the pledge of allegiance is worshiping the Flag.
Well, if thats what they believe - so be it. However, in reality, the Pledge is simply showing
respect for our Great Country.

So if Stevenxlm is showing respect by bowing ( as an England subject does for the King and Queen) then by means do so -- even if someone else sees it otherwise.

Same principal - I will address an ordained pastor as Rev -if someone else does not like it - so be it.

 

[SovereignGrace]

Hi,

I am not from an English-speaking country. In my culture, after someone dies, he or she is placed into a coffin and stays in a house for a couple of days. Before the burial, people come to bow to the dead person in his or her coffin to show respect to him or her.

I wonder if it is against the Bible to bow in this context.

God bless you.

Thanks.

If its done as a sign of respect, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

If its done as a form of worship, bowing to anything not God is idolatry, then it is wrong.

But the way you described this, I don't see anything wrong with it. You are showing respect to a loved one who has passed away.

 

[stephenlxm]

What are the differences between showing respect and worship? I think they are different, but I can't figure out what they are. Dictionaries tell that worship means to shows reverence, respect, or honor.

 

[Salty]

Good question Stephenixm

According to the Webster dictionary:
: to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power

So, unless you believe the deceased to be divine or having powers
a person would only being showing respect.

 

[Jordan Kurecki]

If its done as a sign of respect, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

If its done as a form of worship, bowing to anything not God is idolatry, then it is wrong.

But the way you described this, I don't see anything wrong with it. You are showing respect to a loved one who has passed away.

In guessing however that the bowing to the dead done in China is in fact being done in that culture for worship. But the. Again idk.