Posted on 09/22/2006 5:05:40 PM PDT by shrinkermd
A multi-faith cemetery will have all its graves aligned with Mecca, despite Christian burials traditionally facing east. CHRIS BIRKLE finds out how Christians and Muslims feel about the controversial council decision
In today's secular society you could be forgiven for not knowing which direction Christian graves face.
Ancient tradition shows they should look east in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus Christ.
But all headstones at the new £2.5m High Wood Cemetery in Bulwell will be plotted to face north-east, in line with Islamic faith.
Muslims believe the dead look over their shoulder towards Mecca, towards the south-east
(Excerpt) Read more at thisisnottingham.co.uk ...
Are they aligning these grave sites along the "Great Circle" route or the "Rhumb Line"? Idiots!
When I'm dead I don't care which direction my dead body faces cause I'm dead. My soul will be in heaven and my body will return to dust.
Feet at 1:30 and eyes at 4:30?
Dunno. "Great Circle" is what they use though. That might be an "Ask the Imam" kind of question.
"Multifaith cemeteries" don't make sense to me in the first place. I'm not so surprized. Even militiary cemeteries have at least Chritian sections, etc.
Go look at some cemetaries sometimes. All I have ever been in you are lying on your back feet to the east. Waiting the coming of Christ. Everyone. I will be planted facing EAST not Mecca.
I suspect this is strictly an European thing and probably applicable only to those from a Catholic or Orthodox tradition as a general rule.
In any case, many Protestants know that "Christ will come in the clouds", and, consequently know that you can't tell what direction that is.
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