Is it wrong to observe All Souls Day?
Question:
Good day, brother Jeff.
I want to know what are your thoughts about the observation of All Saints Day or All Souls Day that is done by many brethren here in the Philippines.
One elderly lady asked me about this, and I promised to give her an answer by the time we meet. She asked:
Is it okay for Christians to observe the November 1 and 2 holiday?
Personally, it doesn't bother me since I see it as a secular holiday (even though it is tied to Catholicism which concerns some Christians. They feel it is yoking them to this man-made observation). For me, people set aside a day to remember their departed loved ones, and I see no problem with this. Or should I?
Is it okay to "talk to the dead"?
I have seen Christians visiting the graves of their departed and having a conversation with them. I know they are not ignorant of the fact that it's only bones there -- that once the soul departed from the physical body, there's nothing there. It's all dust and the dead can't hear or know whatever is happening in this life. Yet Christians who observe this holiday often talk to the grave as if they can hear them. They give news as to what is happening in their lives.
Brother Jeff, if you were to answer these questions, what will your answers be?
Answer:
"Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind" (Romans 14:4-5).
As a required observance, it would be wrong because God did not impose a day to remember the dead. However, if an individual wishes to use a day to remember his loved ones and to thank God for allowing them to have been in his life, then there is nothing wrong with a person doing so.
There were times when I am having difficulties sorting out a problem that I might have a quiet conversation with my dad. Now, in my adult life, I never had an opportunity to live close to my parents and making long distant calls in the past was expensive, but the "conversation" helped me organize my thoughts. My dad wasn't dead (he still lives) but it was a form of role playing to solve a problem. I suspect that for some talking out life's events helps them organize their thoughts and sort out their grief. As long as they understand that the person isn't really there, he can't hear them, and he can't change things in their lives, then nothing is particularly wrong. See Can we talk with those who have died?
However, care needs to be taken regarding those who observe us. Others might not understand that the dead are gone and that we are not expecting anything to result from our verbalized thoughts. It is what others might do because they observe what we are doing that must be considered. Though talking about food offered to idols, Paul makes a point that can have similar application. "But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ" (I Corinthians 8:9-12).
Response:
I now understand. Thank you so much, brother Jeffrey.
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” " (Isaiah 52:7).
May God bless you more in what you do.
