Why Do Christians Get Involved In Genealogy ?

[Canary42]

Why do Christians get involved in genealogy ? Surely it's a waste of their time effort and money, because when they die they will be able to meet all their ancestors in Heaven anyway.

[doctordb]

They already know of the couple who started it all off.

[Buenchico]

>>>because when they die they will be able to meet all their ancestors in Heaven anyway

Perhaps they believe that some of their ancestors might have gone 'in the other direction'?

[neodarwinian]

Another contradiction that is religion.

Ask one to explain that to you and expect to hear rationalizations unending.

[Tuvok]

Somewhere I have about 2 doz cds I was given that contain births etc. records for the whole of the UK from early 1900's

These were either from the Mormons or the Jehovahs - I can never remember which it the Church of latter day saints.

[naomi24]

Maybe they just want to know who they're likely to bump into in whatever place they think they're going to. Nothing if not polite. ;o)

Tuvok, that'll be the Mormons (The Church of Latter Day Saints). They posthumously baptise people - even Jews. What a cheek!

[Peter Pedant]

It is probably the 1881 census Tuvok
Big excitement when it cam out

LDS:
you have to be baptised to be saved (they believe)
and you dont have to be alive to be baptised (and thus saved)

but you do have to be discovered (as well as discoverable)

hence their amazing efforts at Genealogy - that we all benefit from

[woofgang]

Naomi, they have stopped baptising dead people with Jewish antecedents unless their descendants specifically request it. In any case they believe that the baptism that is done on behalf of those who are dead means that they get offered the chance to accept it or not.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/15/us-mormons-apology-wiesenthal-idUSTRE81E03S20120215

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/16/explainer-how-and-why-do-mormons-baptize-the-dead/

[naomi24]

Woofgang, thank you. I hadn't seen that. Not before time - but whatever they're offering to those who don't request it is still a cheek.

[Spoonboy]

Lol.

[woofgang]

well I don't think its a cheek to offer......

[naomi24]

I do. To a Jew it's not just a cheek - it's an insult.

[woofgang]

but they are no longer offering it to Jews unless specifically requested by their descendants....

[naomi24]

Woofgang, according to your Reuters link, the church said in its apology, “Proxy baptisms of Holocaust victims are strictly prohibited…" so not Jews per se – holocaust victims – and that appears to be a bit hit and miss. From your other link: “But the system of preventing the baptism of Holocaust victims, initiated in 1995, has not been foolproof,”

Personally, I think they're rather presumptuous in baptising anyone posthumously – with or without permission from descendants. I can't imagine Muslims - or Atheists - would welcome it either.

[Old_Geezer]

Why wouldn't they have such an interest. It's interesting information gained today regardless what may or may not happen at some later point in their existence.

Surely the answer is so obvious the question is embarrassing to pose ? Should they not enjoy themselves today because they believe they will enjoy themselves tomorrow ?

[lightbulb247]

//Why do Christians get involved in genealogy ? Surely it's a waste of their time effort and money, because when they die they will be able to meet all their ancestors in Heaven anyway//

maybe because their interested to learn about their ancestors and their family, where they come from etc. its pretty simple.

[AB Editor]

It's probably so they can recognise them when they arrive. Or so they can avoid social faux pas, you know how family gatherings are...

You do know that Christians are human beings who live on the earth as you do? Genealogy is a hobby which some enjoy - why would a Christian not enjoy it?

A strange and loaded question. Just another excuse to bash the religious?

[chrisgel]

Naomi - //Proxy baptisms of Holocaust victims are strictly prohibited…" so not Jews per se – holocaust victims//

Not so "strictly"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/mormons-posthumous-baptism-anne-frank_n_1292102.html

[naomi24]

Chris, indeed - which appears to confirm “But the system of preventing the baptism of Holocaust victims, initiated in 1995, has not been foolproof,”

One has to question just how hard the church is trying. I mean, Anne Frank is hardly an unrecognised name.

[Octavius]

I do it out of interest. You have made the assumption is that my ancestors were christian, which may or may not be true. I might find one or two have gone to freyja or valhalla. Its just as likely.