Why are Catholic images so bloody and gruesome?

Question

Most of the Catholic cathedrals I've been in are dominated by a cross with a writhing and bloody figure of Christ in agony. It seems kind of morbid to me, though I have many Catholic friends and don't mind Catholics as a whole. Why would someone want to see his or her God in such pain? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to decorate places of worship with images of Him that are not covered in blood? It seems to me that if I wanted to remember Christ, I'd like to remember primarily how He lived and what he taught, not only how He died.

Answer 1

The crucifixion was the crux (pun partially intended) of Jesus' experience on earth. He was born to die, and to rise again. All that pain he went through was his payment for our sin, and we should never forget that. It's akin to remembering every now and then the pain of childbirth your mother went through to bring you into the world.

Pain is part of our experience on earth, and Jesus wanted to be fully human and share in our pain. He even kept at least some of his wounds--particularly his hand wounds--after his resurrection, as a reminder, I suppose, to both him and us. Don't be ashamed of the pain you suffer in this world. Pain, dealt with rightly, can be teaching and redemptive.

That said, church should have, if it has images at all, various images of Christ throughout the stages of his life, both earthly and post-resurrection. Or at least, we should hold that myriad of images in our minds.

Answer 2

This is just my opinion, and I have no evidence to prove it. I believe the Catholic Religion is not really Christianity at all. It is a mixture of belief in God and the Pagan religions of old. Catholism in my opinion is exactly opposite of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus never spoke of the office or title of Pope. But the religions of old paganism did. What would Jesus think about a Religious State (Vatican City)? I doubt if he would approve. What about the money and slendor of the church, while so many are dying and suffering around the world? I think Jesus would be appalled. The gargoyles that guard the cathedrals have obvious Pagan roots. The spooky music, the spooky robes and clothing and general creepy atmospher take on Pagan characteristics. Other than the use of the holy bible, the Catholic church seems to lean more to the Pagan side, than the Christian side. That is why I believe Catholism is not really Christianity at all. Maybe Martin Luther thought the same way?

Answer 3

It reminds us of the great sufferings Jesus endured for us (along the lines of what Mel says about his movie, the Passion)... Jesus came to Earth just to die for us--it's the most beautifully selfless thing that could be ever be done. The blood reminds us that Christ was 100% human to be just like us even with his 100% divinity-- it's a very humbling thing to think about.
Oh, and there are also plenty of bloodless portrayals of Jesus' life and teachings-- to have one without the other would be imbalanced.

People who think that religion a) is all about guilting people and b) uses said guilt to control people are way off base and completely missing the point. But alas, how could they be expected to know any better if they've never experienced the graces that come with faith?

Answer 4

It is important when an organization demands total control that the guilt and fear factor is ever present. Therefore, the Catholic Church has to ensure that you know how bad all the Saints and Christ had it just for your salvation. This in turn makes you feel guilty, which makes you more amicable to belief without questions. The fear factor is the damnation depictions that scare the heck out of you into believing in order to avoid the punishment.

Answer 5

I know what you mean. It's like at Christmas, when we remember the Baby Jesus. Well, he's not a baby anymore. We should remember his acts, his advice, his miracles, and how he taught us to treat each other, not the way he died. If he had died in modern times, perhaps hung or shot, would we have little gallows or guns on chains around our neck like we do the cross? That is why I don't wear crosses anymore. I think it's important to treat each other decently, and do favors for each other, and things like that. And when we pray, we should pray from our hearts, and not a set of memorized words. If I kept hearing the same words over and over, I'd probably stop believing them. There. I've said my piece. Carry on.

Answer 6

Christ didn't look pretty on the cross. To depict him all cleaned up would be a lie. Christians see the truth of his Crucifixion, the beaten bloody Christ hanging on the cross for your sins. We love him that he sacrificed himself and took all the pain for us as sinners. How Christ died on the Cross was the mission he was here for, how could you take that out. The whole point is that we are saved by Jesus Christ dying on the Cross for our sins.

Answer 7

It is kind of a stark reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made. His works in his life up to that point were also very important, but the final act of giving up his life is such a powerful part of the religion that it is represented so much. Also, I believe it is a fairly realistic portrayal of the events recorded... it wasn't pretty in real life so I guess the Church has not wanted to veil it behind cleaned up images.

Answer 8

Ppl looking at the cross as symbol of agony and pain and murder but it's wrong. It's simply a symbol of love and trust. Everything work in contrast. Remember how GOD wiped us all in Great Flood? So murder of his own Son is a love and it should remind us all how should we deal with our own children when we want to show love to others.
Therefore GOD exists.

Answer 9

Religion imposes guilt on people as a means of control.

If you read the comments posted here by the thumpers, about half of them claim Jesus paid a price so everyone owes him.

That is the foundation for most religions and it uses gruesome images to reinforce the point.

According to reports, the "Passion of the Christ" was one of the most violently pornographic movies ever made, yet millions of people claim that it was "awe inspiring," or restored, strengthened their "faith."

Any faith that relies primarily on imposing guilt isn't much of a faith.

Answer 10

Crucifixion tough way to go.
I am agnostic but attended Catholic School late 50's early 60's.
I think they trying to drive home the suffering of Christ.
Happy pink jolly Jesus on the cross?
Whats to ponder there?

Answer 11

it's a very controversial stance to take, but I believe this religion is based on human sacrifice (the bloody image of Christ dying in sacrifice for our sins) and cannibalism in effigy (taking commuion which involves the body and blood of Christ). How awfully gruesome.