Changes

Cremation has ancient [[pagan]] origins, and implicitly denies the resurrection of the body. In Western cultures, cremation is most favored by [[atheists]].  It has always been prohibited by [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]] and is still prohibited by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].  The [[Roman Catholic Church]] prohibited cremation until 1963, which it changed its policy to merely disfavoring cremation.  Until 1997, the [[Catholic Church]] did not allow cremation until after the funeral mass, but now it allows cremation prior to the funeral mass if a local bishop approves, and Catholic cremations have greatly increased partly for [[economic]] reasons.

Cremation has ancient [[pagan]] origins, and implicitly denies the resurrection of the body. In Western cultures, cremation is most favored by [[atheists]].  It has always been prohibited by [[Judaism]] and [[Islam]] and is still prohibited by the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].  The [[Roman Catholic Church]] prohibited cremation until 1963, which it changed its policy to merely disfavoring cremation.  Until 1997, the [[Catholic Church]] did not allow cremation until after the funeral mass, but now it allows cremation prior to the funeral mass if a local bishop approves, and Catholic cremations have greatly increased partly for [[economic]] reasons.

Every single reference in the [[Bible]] to the disposition of the bodies of the deceased disfavors cremation.<ref>http://www.epm.org/articles/cremation.html</ref>

Every single reference in the [[Bible]] to the disposition of the bodies of the deceased disfavors cremation.<ref>http://www.epm.org/articles/cremation.html</ref>