On Ancestor Worship

Laying aside the fact that the act of prayer in and of itself is cathartic and helpful, look rationally at the ability of a deceased person to answer a prayer.  Many people pray to ancestors that cannot answer offer tangible assistance.  Much of what individuals ask of those who have passed on, they can individually provide through collective Christian effort.  Some history might be helpful to understand why Christian ethics are necessary.

Jesus’ life and initial teaching took place during the Roman Empire.  Roman religion included included veneration of the Roman Emperor and offerings of incense and sacrifices to gods and to the cult of one’s ancestors (the deceased members of one’s family).  Jesus disagreed with Roman religion.  He stands for the abolition of sacrifices around the world, even by members of non-Christian religions.  Early Christians believed that sacrifice is an offering to a God that needs nothing.  Human beings never need to make an offering to a God who has everything.  Sacrifices to ancestors is also unnecessary because the souls of the deceased cannot eat or touch the offering.  God answers prayers but those who have left their bodies behind cannot do so on their own.  

Rationally, it makes sense to focus prayers on God because one’s ancestors are unable to provide the assistance requested in prayers.  Whatever the disembodied soul is, it cannot perceptibly direct physical bodies.  It is not for lack of intention or love that the dead cannot answer the prayers of the living.  It is just not possible for a disembodied spirit to effectuate outcomes among the living on its own.   

Thus, it makes sense for those who are embodied to treat each other in line with Christian ethics: heal the sick by obtaining treatment or medicine from a doctor; feed the hungry in one’s home, elder care facilities, or soup kitchens; provide shelter for those without a place to lay their heads; donate to the needy or to nonprofit organizations providing assistance to the destitute; love neighbors as one loves one’s family; and pray to God directly. Jesus Christ insists that we do for each other what one asks of his or her ancestors who are deceased.

Certainly, ancestors live on in disembodied form but they are unable to help in a tangible way.  When we pray, pray to God.  We may pray for those who have left their bodies but not to them.  Prayers to ancestors can be answered through our efforts for each other in the spirit expressed by Jesus Christ.