If Abraham Lincoln was Christian

[là bạn điên]

The coins held a dual purpose. The eyes go bad pretty quicly and start oozing

[Doubting Thomas]

Yes, it was my impression that coins were placed on the eyes to keep them closed, at least until rigor mortis set in and the eyelids would stay closed on their own.

The coins held a dual purpose. The eyes go bad pretty quicly and start oozing

While they didn't have the same embalming technology that we do today, it's my understanding that in the 1800's they tended to have funerals pretty quickly in order to get the deceased buried ASAP before the corpse began to rot. But you're right, the eyes are the first to go, being soft tissue and all. However, with Lincoln they embalmed him pretty good for the train ride home, making several stops to replace the embalming fluid. After he was buried he was exhumed in 1901 so that he could be buried in a new tomb. Since there were earlier plots to steal his body, they decided to open the coffin to make sure he was still in there, and he was still in pretty good shape, considering. He was at least still recognizable.

[Cinjin]

I cannot find any historical suggestions that he was buried with coins over his eyes, which leads me to believe that it is just a myth.

Again, the Greco-Roman version of the practice was to place a single coin in the mouth.

Yes, it was my impression that coins were placed on the eyes to keep them closed, at least until rigor mortis set in and the eyelids would stay closed on their own.

This is the link to a documentary done by National Geographic.
The Real Abraham Lincoln

Interestingly enough, it would seem they disagree with both Kitanetos and Minimalist. See 50:10 to 50:25 in the video.

I am not knowledgeable on the topic, but it would seem that there is a school of thought that the coins were indeed placed over a corpses eyes more as a religious tradition than a morticians practice. Which would make sense to me in Lincoln's case since there would certainly be no need to put coins over the eyes of a body that had just then deceased. Eyes decay quickly yes, but not in a matter of minutes.

My question of course remains if all this is true. How prevalent was the practice of this ancient belief in the US? The narrator even said it was the custom of the times, which would imply to me that there should be at least some varifiable documentation of this practice. Did christians practice it? Are Christians the ones that put coins on Lincoln's eyes? and if so, why?

Anyway, I find it a bit puzzling to find this out about a country that was supposedly, back then, "uber-Christian."

Thoughts?

[Minimalist]

http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Kharon.html

From there Kharon transported them in his skiff to a final resting place in Hades, the land of the dead, on the other side. The fee for his service was a single obolos coin which was placed in the mouth of a corpse at burial. Those who had not received due burial and were unable to pay his fee, would be left to wander the earthly side of the Akheron, haunting the upper world as ghosts.

Greek mythology should be left to Greeks.

[Cinjin]

Greek mythology should be left to Greeks.

And fairy tales should be left to children, but alas, we've got a lot of gullible saps walkin around.

That being said, I didn't start this thread because I want to know more about the ancient Greeks, hell, I couldn't give two shits. I'm far more perplexed that this custom could be so common here in the US in the middle of the 19th century. If it was so common, as they say, what happened to it and what religion embraced it???

I guess I'll have to do some more research.

[Autumnlicious]

Americans have always been a trendy people.

Perhaps this event was merely part of a trend, possibly over Neo-Grecian motifs?

It is not the first time such has been all the rage. The Lincoln memorial (Greek temple design like the Parthenon) and the Washington memorial (Greek obelisk inspired design).

[Lion IRC]

Why do christians still use pagan customs in their holy days? They just do. not that trees, bunnies, or eggs have anything to do with Jesus' supposed birth and resurrection. If Lincoln's family put coins in his eyes, it's just because they wanted to.

Lincoln was the president who put the word God on US currency. Why cant he have coins on his eyes?

Christians can appropriate symbols like Bread and Wine and Easter eggs and Chrismas trees and relate them symbolically to life/death. And with Jesus' Resurrection.

Heres another symbol Christians can use without asking anyones permission.

[Foxaèr]

Heres another symbol Christians can use without asking anyones permission.

[Chad32]

Christians just get a little weird with their symbolism, like this whole war on christmas idea. Despite the fact that they moved the holy day to the winter solstice, and incorporated some non christian symbolism to help convert people, some get up in arms when people don't make Jesus the sole focus in their December celebrations. As if Jesus' birthday is the only reason anyone would celebrate around the winter solstice.

[Cinjin]

Americans have always been a trendy people.

Perhaps this event was merely part of a trend, possibly over Neo-Grecian motifs?

It is not the first time such has been all the rage. The Lincoln memorial (Greek temple design like the Parthenon) and the Washington memorial (Greek obelisk inspired design).

A valid point. I see Scientology as just such a trend; destined to be forgotten in time.

Heres another symbol Christians can use without asking anyones permission.

No one was implying that Christians weren't allowed to do it. I just find it quite odd if they did. Since it does not hold AT ALL with the practices of their faith.