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The Catholic cross is called a Crucifix. It will always have the crucified Christ on it. It is to focus the attention on what He did for us.
A plain cross is just that, a cross. It means whatever you want it to mean.
There is another cross. It has the Risen, Crowned Christ standing before it. It is to remind us that He has risen and is now has been crowned King. I think, but not sure, that it is called the Christus Rex.
Location: Everybody is going to hurt you, you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for-B Marley
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Quote:
Originally Posted by antredd
About 10 years ago, a minister at my church stated to me that there was a marked difference between the Protestant cross and the Catholic cross. I never realized the difference until he he said that the cross you see in some protestant churches doesn't have Jesus hanging on it. He stated that the Catholic church's cross still has Jesus hanging on it as if he never was ressurrected.
It depends on where you're standing in reference to why any religion does what they do. In this case, the reason they wear a crucifix is not that they think he wasn't resurrected but that they're emphasizing what he did for us--died on the cross. That's just one 'station' they recognize on Christ's journey--for lack of a better word right now--to Calvary.
Quote:
Originally Posted by antredd
Then I was thinking to myself, does it really matter? He also said that Christians shouldn't be wearing crosses because it's a graven image.
Some interpret that to mean not to worship the images. Anyone who knows their Christian faith does not worship them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by antredd
He asked why would you wear something that was responsible for killing our Lord and saviour. He went on to say that if my loved one was killed by a gun, would I be wearing a gun to symblize my loved one's death?
He of all people should have known better than that. It wasn't a cross which crucified Jesus but the sin of man. Yet, we continue in our sins, not only without a second thought in many cases, but defending it all the way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by antredd
.It seems to me too that many people who wear crosses want to show others that their wearing of a cross represents that they are christians. I know that the Catholic church uses crosses and rosary beads as part of their worship which is not Scriptural.
I'd never presume to know why who wears what but I suspect--as it is for myself--people have always used symbols of all sorts as a token or to identify with themselves, their hopes, their dreams, their philosophies, their faith. I don't think about other people or what they think of me when I put on my cross.
Quote:
Originally Posted by antredd
The cross may be a symbol of Christianity, but where in the bible does it say that we should be wearing one to symbolize our belief on Christ or the fact that we died on one?
Nobody, as far as I know, has told any Christian they should be wearing a cross. It's just a very personal preference. I'd be more concerned about someone announcing their Christianity and treating people like the devil. Better yet, I'd be more concerned with am I doing what I need to be rather than worrying about what others are? I can honestly answer that with a, no, not nearly as much as I need to.
More trivial issues that have little relevance to the adoption of a Christian lifestyle . . . it is NOT about what we wear, eat, or otherwise use to remind us of Jesus and the example he represents for our lives.
I'm understand what you mean. But we need to be careful about what we say. It's not about what we wear could be interpreted that women can wear clothes that make her look have naked ie. a short mini skirt up her booty, and a tight blouse that her large breasts can barely squeeze.
The Catholic cross is called a Crucifix. It will always have the crucified Christ on it. It is to focus the attention on what He did for us.
A plain cross is just that, a cross. It means whatever you want it to mean.
There is another cross. It has the Risen, Crowned Christ standing before it. It is to remind us that He has risen and is now has been crowned King. I think, but not sure, that it is called the Christus Rex.
I wear a crucifix because it reminds me every day what Jesus did for me! Christians should follow their own conscious and make that decicsion for themselves, it is more important to live your life as Jesus commanded to love god and your neighbour. To try and live your life without hurting anyone else therefore keeping all Gods commandments which is very difficult and we all stray, that is why Jesus died for us. I try to to be respectful and kind to everyone I meet and don't judge anyone as I have done wrong in my life, its a good way to live whatever you believe in.
About 10 years ago, a minister at my church stated to me that there was a marked difference between the Protestant cross and the Catholic cross. I never realized the difference until he he said that the cross you see in some protestant churches doesn't have Jesus hanging on it. He stated that the Catholic church's cross still has Jesus hanging on it as if he never was ressurrected.
Then I was thinking to myself, does it really matter? He also said that Christians shouldn't be wearing crosses because it's a graven image.
He asked why would you wear something that was responsible for killing our Lord and saviour. He went on to say that if my loved one was killed by a gun, would I be wearing a gun to symblize my loved one's death?
That statement instantly convicted me, and that's one of the reasons I don't wear crosses nor have them in my house.
It seems to me too that many people who wear crosses want to show others that their wearing of a cross represents that they are christians. I know that the Catholic church uses crosses and rosary beads as part of their worship which is not Scriptural.
The cross may be a symbol of Christianity, but where in the bible does it say that we should be wearing one to symbolize our belief on Christ or the fact that we died on one?
Throughout his letters, Paul refers to the cross in reference to the sacrifice of Christ. Due to the emphasis placed on it, I have no issue with people wearing one.
Paul wrote that the resurrection showed God's acceptance of the sacrifice, so to me, I don't like the idea of wearing a crucifix, with Christ on the cross. He is not on the cross anymore--he was buried and raised.
And then, of course, there's the Red Cross and, come to think of it, the Blue Cross, as well. (Which one you wear depends how your state voted in the last election!)
I believe the crucifix and the cross are graven images that God warned us not to make. It is clearly stated in the 2nd Commandment; therefore going against it is a sin.
Speaking of crosses, one of the strangest expressions of religious belief that I've ever seen was this guy I saw in Seattle quite a few years ago who had this huge wooden cross probably ten or twelve feet long and he was dragging it down the main street in the University District where there are always lots of pedestrians. He'd attached some little wheels to the bottom of it but it must have weighed a ton. It really seemed like a foolish thing to do and all he got for his effort was alot of strange looks and probably a very sore back.
Speaking of crosses, one of the strangest expressions of religious belief that I've ever seen was this guy I saw in Seattle quite a few years ago who had this huge wooden cross probably ten or twelve feet long and he was dragging it down the main street in the University District where there are always lots of pedestrians. He'd attached some little wheels to the bottom of it but it must have weighed a ton. It really seemed like a foolish thing to do and all he got for his effort was alot of strange looks and probably a very sore back.
That wasn't a cross. That was me. I was helping some quakers build a barn. The worst part is that the barn was in Ohio. That was a rough year, and I only got the one cross-beam. I try to forget it. Thanks alot.
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