Why do Christians grieve so when a loved one dies? Do they grieve as much as an atheist? They'll be reunited with them in paradise so why so sad?

Surely it would just be the sadness of a loved one moving away or something right?

I don't mean this antagonistically and i apologize if this is insensitive. I'm just curious because it seems given the worldview that a Christian shouldn't be terribly upset when a family member dies.

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JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

Yes it should be a celebration really. Many Christians I know actually view it that way, they are sad for themselves but happy that their loved ones are with God.

Pikachu

@JimboSaturn

Yeah that makes sense.
Although i think there's a strong biblical argument that the dead are dead until Jesus returns and are not yet in heaven.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@Pikachu Yes the Bible is confusing that way. Mainstream Christianity says or implies that our loved ones are in heaven immediately but then you have the whole second coming of Jesus and him judging at that point.

Pikachu

@JimboSaturn

I think the mainstream teaching isn't well supported by the Bible which makes it pretty clear that the dead are asleep, that the dead in Christ will rise first and that the rest of the dead will rise after them and be judged.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@Pikachu Yep, but the current zeitgeist is not to tell people that , it's not what we want to hear so the priest actually say they are in heaven now. Sophisticated Christians can say "well time is irrelevant in heaven so to them its now but to people on earth the rapture is in the future etc..." The supernatural always give you an out.