Typical! "RIP"
Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2020 5:02 pm
Here's a blog post today from someone on a mostly CoC blogging site. The founder of the site intended for it to be, and really tried to make it a diverse place. He isn't in the CoC anymore, but most of his college friends were at the time (maybe 20 years ago now!), and later their parents' -- including me -- flocked to the site. The few still active on the site (activity seriously declined when facebook exploded way back when) are all NI-CoC, mostly older and still very stuck in the 1960s, though there are fortunately a few who aren't so cringy. I shudder to think that I may have thought this way so long ago, but must admit that I did. (But I never went so far as to give unsolicited advice, for which I'm very, very glad.)
So without further ado, for your amazement, the post:
So without further ado, for your amazement, the post:
THE TERM: REST IN PEACE (RIP)
at 10/09/20 8:16AM
Pretty sure we're all familiar with this term. It's usually used at someone's passing. I don't have a problem with it - when one is a Christian. But I see it used by Christians of those who have passed are clearly not Christians, those who have not submitted their lives to the Lord. That does bother me.
I know a young teenager who is really into music and that genre of folks, as are her parents. And she is a fan of Eddie Van Halen, a rock star who just recently died. And on her Facebook page, she had at least two posts using "Rest in peace" on one and "RIP" on the other. There's certainly nothing wrong with being sad at someone's passing, especially if that one is not a Christian. That's when I have a real problem with using these terms with that person. So, I decided to send her a private message. When I see things like that, I do not write them in public as I do not feel that is the best way for someone to consider their actions or a post they made. Just thought I would share my message to her with you for your consideration. You may have also seen these terms used at a time that may not be appropriate.
My message to her:
Just wanted to PM you to tell you something and pray, as a Christian, you'll give thought and consideration to it.
You had used the words "rest in peace" with Eddie Van Halen who has just died. I do understand the sentiment and have probably used it myself in the past without considering what it means.
As I've aged, I've come to realize I can still be sad and show my care and concern at someone's passing without using the "RIP". Sadly, for one who has not submitted his/her life to the Lord, the Bible teaches us there can't be an eternal peace for that person - very sad indeed.
Just some things I wanted to point out and share with you that I've come to the knowledge of as I've gotten older. As I said, we can still express sympathy and sadness without using a term that wouldn't be appropriate for one who had not submitted his/her will to God.
Hope you have a good day. Love you!