Would a God of love condemn this practice if the living were simply communicating with loved ones who had departed? On the other hand, if demonic spirits were impersonating the dead and misleading mankind by conveying to their minds impressions that would perpetuate a lie, would it not be loving on God’s part to safeguard his servants against such deception?—Eph. 6:11, 12.

Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses not share in the traditional customs of mourning for the dead?

Grief over the death of a loved one is normal and may properly be expressed

After the death of his close friend Lazarus, “Jesus gave way to tears.” (John 11:35) Sometimes the grief experienced by God’s servants in connection with death has been intense.—2 Sam. 1:11, 12.

But because of the resurrection hope, Christians are told: “We do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping in death; that you may not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.”—1 Thess. 4:13.

Jehovah’s servants do not reject all customs that are associated with death

Gen. 50:2, 3: “Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father . . . and they took fully forty days for him, for this many days they customarily take for the embalming.”

John 19:40: “They took the body of Jesus and bound it up with bandages with the spices, just the way the Jews have the custom of preparing for burial.”

Customs that conflict with God’s Word are avoided by those who seek to please him

Some customs publicly advertise one’s grief. But Jesus said: “When you are fasting [because of sorrow], stop becoming sad-faced like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Truly I say to you, They are having their reward in full. But you, when fasting, grease your head and wash your face, that you may appear to be fasting, not to men, but to your Father who is in secrecy; then your Father who is looking on in secrecy will repay you.”—Matt. 6:16-18.

Certain customs reflect belief that man has an immortal soul that survives death of the body and, so, is aware of what the survivors are doing. But the Bible says: “The dead . . . are conscious of nothing at all.” (Eccl. 9:5) Also, “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.”—Ezek. 18:4.

Many customs arise from belief that the dead need the help of the living or from fear that they may harm the living if not appeased. But God’s Word shows that the dead are experiencing neither pain nor pleasure. “His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” (Ps. 146:4; see also 2 Samuel 12:22, 23.) “Their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they have no portion anymore to time indefinite in anything that has to be done under the sun.”—Eccl. 9:6.

If Someone Says—

‘It is the will of God’

You might reply: ‘That’s a very common belief. But I have found it helpful to search out what God himself says about this.’ Then perhaps add: (1) ‘(Read Genesis 2:17.) If a father warns his son that doing a certain thing will cost him his life, would you say that the father wants the son to do it?’ (2) ‘Then what really is God’s will regarding mankind? Jesus said: “This is the will of my Father, that everyone that beholds the Son [that is, perceives and acknowledges that Jesus truly is God’s Son] and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him at the last day.” (John 6:40)’

‘People will always die’

You might reply: ‘That certainly is what has happened to humans right down to our day, isn’t it?’ Then perhaps add: ‘But notice this wonderful promise made by God at Revelation 21:3, 4 (or Isaiah 25:8).’

‘It comes when your time is up’

You might reply: ‘Many people feel the way you do. Did you know that many of the ancient Greeks held that same view? They believed that there were three goddesses that determined the length of life that each human would have. But the Bible presents a very different view of life.’ Then perhaps add: (1) ‘(Read Ecclesiastes 9:11.) Illustration: A piece of concrete may break off from a building and fall on a pedestrian. Did God cause it? If so, is it fair to charge the building owner with negligence? . . . As the Bible says, for the pedestrian, it was an unplanned and unforeseen occurrence that he was right there when the concrete fell.’ (2) ‘The Bible tells us that if we avoid bad conduct we safeguard our life. (Prov. 16:17) If you are a parent, I am sure that you apply that principle with your children. You warn them against things that could result in loss of life. Jehovah is doing the same thing for all mankind today.’ (3) ‘Jehovah knows what the future holds. By means of the Bible he tells us how we can enjoy a life much longer than that of people who ignore what he says. (John 17:3; Prov. 12:28)’ (See also the main heading “Fate.”)

Do dreams in our time have special meaning?

What have researchers learned about dreams?

“Everyone dreams,” says The World Book Encyclopedia (1984, Vol. 5, p. 279). “Most adults dream for about 100 minutes during eight hours of sleep.” So dreams are a normal human experience.