Smoke
Done here.
On another thread, srturtle wrote:
I remember the first time I saw that one of my ancestors had been baptized by proxy in the Mormon Church -- it was a Roman Catholic great-great-grandfather of mine. I found it a little unnerving at first, and a little insulting. I remember thinking that my grandmother -- who at that time was fairly recently deceased -- wouldn't have been at all amused to see her grandfather's name in that context.
However, on reflection, I concluded that it really wasn't such a big deal, and that the Mormon interest in genealogy for religious reasons was actually to my advantage, since they made so many records more easily accessible to researchers. I also began to wonder just who had taken this step on my ancestor's behalf; it turned out to be another descendant of his, a woman of whom I had not previously been aware. I think it's very much to her credit that once we made contact, much later, she asked my permission to use my research for Temple submissions. I really don't think she was under any obligation to do so, but it was a nice gesture, and I didn't have any problem with it.
I can understand that this is a serious issue for Jews, especially where Holocaust victims are concerned, and I can sympathize with their concern. I don't understand why it should be a problem for most people, though. Since I don't believe in it, and I don't think it has any effect at all on my ancestors, what's the difference?
Are there other people who are bothered by the practice? Why?
I remember the first time I saw that one of my ancestors had been baptized by proxy in the Mormon Church -- it was a Roman Catholic great-great-grandfather of mine. I found it a little unnerving at first, and a little insulting. I remember thinking that my grandmother -- who at that time was fairly recently deceased -- wouldn't have been at all amused to see her grandfather's name in that context.
However, on reflection, I concluded that it really wasn't such a big deal, and that the Mormon interest in genealogy for religious reasons was actually to my advantage, since they made so many records more easily accessible to researchers. I also began to wonder just who had taken this step on my ancestor's behalf; it turned out to be another descendant of his, a woman of whom I had not previously been aware. I think it's very much to her credit that once we made contact, much later, she asked my permission to use my research for Temple submissions. I really don't think she was under any obligation to do so, but it was a nice gesture, and I didn't have any problem with it.
I can understand that this is a serious issue for Jews, especially where Holocaust victims are concerned, and I can sympathize with their concern. I don't understand why it should be a problem for most people, though. Since I don't believe in it, and I don't think it has any effect at all on my ancestors, what's the difference?
Are there other people who are bothered by the practice? Why?
