Is the cross really a pagan symbol? (worship, quote, faith)

[Theophane]

I understand that it did not orignate with Christianity, like the Ichtheus (sp.?) and the Triquetra. But how much further back does it go?

[hljc]

If the cross comes with the faith in people who wear it or display it must have a faith of Jesus on the cross or a belief in Jesus on the cross in the mind of the people who display it or wear it.... then it will be true and acceptable Veneration to Lord Jesus Christ and therefore will Not be pagan........But all other crosses are not accepted by Jesus as the Nazi swastika and ancient Egypt ankh cross, or crosses for good luck and the sort which will be pagan................

[twin.spin]

Originally Posted by Theophane;21037661[B

Is the cross really a pagan symbol?[/b]

To the pagan it is....
To the cults.... they abhore it, they reject it, one doesn't find it in their home or where they worship

But to those of us who are being saved .... it is the power of God.

[imcurious]

Should be quite easy to research. Celtic is one more ancient symbol . . . I am sure there are other cross-cultural symbols.

[Thomas R.]

On some level the cross is simply a geometric design so I'd guess it starts with "pagans" in so much as using circles or squares as symbols starts with pagans.

In some cultures the cross was a sun symbol or was used to represent the four directions as in some cultures directions had religious significance. The Etruscans apparently had crosses as religious symbols and I guess crosses of some sort are seen back to the Neolithic.

The crucifix, with Christ on it, would be specifically Christian as Christ is there. Although it might be too specifically Catholic as I think Eastern Orthodoxy doesn't emphasize the crucifixion in the same way.

[Theophane]

Originally Posted by imcurious

Should be quite easy to research. Celtic is one more ancient symbol . . . I am sure there are other cross-cultural symbols.

I think you'd be hard-pressed to find one symbol that hasn't crossed cultures or changed hands in some way.

[imcurious]

CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS: THE FISH (ICHTHUS, ICTUS), CROSS AND CRUCIFIX

I can't believe how mentally lazy and "uncurious" you people seem to be . . . if you want to know the origin of something, why don't you look it up?

[Theophane]

Originally Posted by imcurious

CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS: THE FISH (ICHTHUS, ICTUS), CROSS AND CRUCIFIX

I can't believe how mentally lazy and "uncurious" you people seem to be . . . if you want to know the origin of something, why don't you look it up?

Who says I'm "uncurious?"

[imcurious]

Originally Posted by Theophane

Who says I'm "uncurious?"

Uh, I just did. You posted the question, then didn't even seem to bother to research it. There is quite a bit of information "out there" to be found.

If you really want to know, the info is there to be found.

[Theophane]

Originally Posted by imcurious

Uh, I just did. You posted the question, then didn't even seem to bother to research it. There is quite a bit of information "out there" to be found.

If you really want to know, the info is there to be found.

Thanks.