Funeral for the Living

Albert Mohler blogged about this curious trend in Thailand reported in New York Times. For a little more than US$5, you can "die" for approximately 45 seconds, then have "a new birth" experience. I can imagine they would have a big sign that reads "Be Quiet, Funeral in Session", and somebody would shout "Next nine people in line please!" Thankfully, as Christians, we don't have to kid ourselves with such a practice as we believe in Christ Jesus, the Resurrection, who once said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

Here is an excerpt from Al's comments:

The New York Times ran a story on September 26 that provides incredible evidence that there is within the human heart a yearning to be born again. In "For a Fee, a Thai Temple Offers a Head Start on Rebirth," reporter Seth Mydans tells of a Buddhist temple that "offers, for a small fee, an opportunity to die, rise up again newborn and make a fresh start in life."

As the paper reports: Nine big pink coffins dominate the grand hall of the temple, and every day hundreds of people take their turns climbing in for a few moments as monks chant a dirge. Then, at a command, the visitors clamber out again cleansed — they believe — of the past.

It is a renewal for our times, as recent economic hardship brings uncertainty and people try seeking a bailout on life. In growing numbers, they come here from around Thailand to join what has become an assembly line of resurrection.

The photographs are gripping. Individuals line up to enter coffins, assume a burial posture, and lie briefly under a shroud. Then, they arise and, in some cases, even take on new names. These so-called "funerals for the living" are attracting so much attention in Thailand that a movie, "The Coffin," is now in Thai cinemas.