This may just provocative to Christians but still it is quite serious: the first symbol of Christianitiy was a fish, right? Then when Christianitiy moved to the surface (from community catacombs) somehow cross became popular (and the cross turned upside down, especially for those who adored Peter as a saint, and later this cross it became a satanistic symbol). Why WEAR signs of a religion at all? Isnt it supposed be sth personal?
2006-06-20 20:46:09 · 19 answers · asked by Pwerunicca 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Interesting question. Jesus said "A tree is known by the fruit it bears." So wearing a symbol is unnecessary. Instead of wearing a cross, if a Christian wears a smile and a good disposition, she or he might just be more approachable and can thereby reach people who might be turned away by a huge religious symbol.
2006-06-20 20:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by Rev T L Clark 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know this was a serious question, but I really had to laugh. And yes, probably. The whole idea of christianity is a belief in a saviour that died and rose again, Jesus's sacrifice to pay for our sins so that we don't have to. Everything in the bible leads up to and predicts Jesus's death and resurrection. So, the cross, the instrument of His death is a good way to remind christians that someone actually died (on a cross. it could have been in a fire) in order that they may live (eternally). If Jesus had not died then the whole point would have been useless. It is something personal, but some people like to show that they are holy or better than you or sometimes they are really good people and the outword symbol is a reminder that they should be acting like christians. wearing something religious also makes one recognizable to other people who believe the same as you. Thats not a bad thing.
2006-06-20 21:14:32 · answer #2 · answered by jenna-a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian, and I don't find your question offensive or provocative at all. But then again, I have a lot of friends that are not Christian. We don't have any problems with our differences in faith, because we all understand that as dearly as we hold our own religious beliefs, so does the other person, and how can we expect them to respect our views if we can't respect theirs?
That having been said, yes, frankly, I think we would wear a match around our necks - however, I think a more accurate comparison would be an electric chair. After all, crucifixion was an ignoble death that was given to criminals, much like the electric chair is today.
As far as it being personal, yes it is, but personal and private are not always one and the same. (Sometimes it should be and isn't, but that's a different issue... ;-) )
It's a reminder to ourselves and others of our faith, of the sacrifice our Savior made for us, and the indignity and pain of the death He suffered for us.
It's a declaration to others saying this is a big part of who I am, it's an integral part of every part of my life that affects everything I do in my life. It's not meant as a challenge to anyone else, and it's not meant as a judgment of who or what anyone else may be.
I guess you could compare it to a sort of spiritual wedding ring - a married person wears a ring as a token of their love, fidelity, and commitment. It's not meant as a statement about anyone else's marital status, or their feelings towards their own spouse (or lack of, if not married). It's simply a reminder and a declaration of the marital status of the person wearing it. (Or, in the case of the cross, of the spiritual status of the person wearing it.)
Now, this is not to say that, just like a wedding ring, there aren't people who wear them with no thought to the commitment that goes along with it, but, just as in a marriage, each person has to answer for their own actions, and it's not up to those of us on the outside of the relationship looking in to decide if they should wear it or not.
Hope this makes sense :-)
2006-06-20 21:05:23 · answer #3 · answered by seasailorwife 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Symbols are just a way to indicate something without a lot of words. Should Christians be ashamed to wear a cross? It's just a symbol that they follow the teachings of one who was crucified. Jesus taught that he brought a new covenant and that its message and promise was no longer restricted to one people but to all. He told his deciples to spread the news of the new covenant.
No, for two reasons Christians would not have adopted a match as their symbol had Jesus been burned to death. In that case, the most likely symbol would be a torch. Matches as we now know them were not developed until the 19th century (A.D. or C. E.). Too, the early, strike-anywhere matches (friction matches) were early on called lucifers.
2006-06-20 22:06:30 · answer #4 · answered by The Invisible Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Majority of religons do not require that you need to wear anything as a symbol - it is purely an individual choice.
How the Christian's symbol evolved was during the times when they were heavily persercuted. They used the symbol of fish to identify themselves as believers in Jesus Christ. We look at the meaning behind the cross as it was when Christ gave His life for our savaltion. Thus if He was burned at the stick and if I want to commemorate His ultimate sacrifice, yes, I will wear a match, torch or even a twig.
Cheers!
2006-06-20 21:02:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a christian. I do not wear any kind of religious symbols. As a Pentecost we do not go for that sort of thing. people should know you are a christian by the way you live your life. If you are not living in a way that show you are a christian then you are not a very good one.
2006-06-20 20:52:15 · answer #6 · answered by David 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it isnt supposed to be personal, it states in the Bile to spread the truth to the corners of the world
and the joy that is in Christian today wants to be shown elsewhere than inside, alll that excitement that Jesus Christ instillls in us cant be botteled up
2006-06-20 20:49:34 · answer #7 · answered by 0110010100 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I read the first part of your question, I had to laugh. That's funny. Little christians running around with matches around their necks. Rich ones with silver and diamonds, and poor ones (or super reborn fanatics) wearing real wooden ones. Of course, for the young christians, who want to be cool, they could run around with a Bic strapped on.
2006-06-20 20:53:01 · answer #8 · answered by Melanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Original question----No, there would still be that flame in the heart
Closing premise--only partially right--it IS personal---but it is also community--all through the Bible--comfort one another with these words--where two or three are gathered in His name etc etc etc----so--community----Your choice of shoes is personal--yet there are so many of those NIKE tshirts and bags and etc etc---don't hear that coming up here ---huh ??
2006-06-20 20:57:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i personally do not believe in symbols... especially the cross.. i dont see my savior on a cross .. i see him sitting on the right side of the Father ...just me .. whatever others do or believe is what they do ... so in a sense your choice is personal i suppose
2006-06-20 21:02:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋