Was the cross adopted from pagan religions?

Question

Obviously, Christendom was not the first religion to use the cross. Egyptians, Babylonians, and Assyrians all had crosses that they used in worship. Is it possible that Christendom borrowed the cross from religions such as these.?Especially considering that the cross does not appear in the original languages that the Bible was written in (the greek word 'staurous' appears instead).

Answer 1

Not only the cross, but virtually all the Christian doctrines are pagan. Anyone for a little Mithras and ISIS?

Answer 2

One of the very earliest symbols in Europe was the solar cross. At least, we can assume it's solar. This appeared loooong before Christ. However, if Christ died on a cross (which would, of course, be a Pagan thing since the Romans were Pagan and they crucified him) then the Christians have the right to it, don't they? And it doesn't really matter whether he really did or not, only whether they really believe he did, cause that's all it's about, belief.

So, they are welcome to it, even if it is Pagan. But since there were Pagans before there were Christians, and there aren't many unique ideas in this world, how much can they possibly have that wasn't borrowed?

Of course, they have to realize that we're going to use our own crosses as well and not get all uptight about it. Especially since they FREAK OUT whenever they see a pentacle.

Answer 3

The symbol of the cross on which Jesus was killed on, has a long Roman history.

To punish criminals they used two poles of wood and nailed it to make a cross or just one pole that would be enterred into the eaerth upside down , and that's how it would be a mmore agonizing death for the criminal. To be hung upside down.

The death by the cross is one of the most agonizing ones, for it's death by cardiopulmonary failure brought by th eposition of the body hanging on a cross. and no support from arms and legs and feet after some time on the cross. Its a gruesome death. And not immidiate. The person suffucates himself first.

There really should be absolutely no crosses like pendants etc for that is ritualistically pagan in origin. If one is Christian one should not really have these and concentrate on the material side of it, that's what God doesnt want. God is a jealous God and he only wants you to adore and love and obey HIM. Not look at a gold cross or symvbol of any kind.

The relation is and has to be between one and God directly not by focusing on a cross.
the cross has also come from other religions , the Celts had a lovely cross that ws not so simple, the Egiptians did have a similar symbold to a cross etc. These were not considered Christian people. Or People who know that God was only one God and that he didnt want humanity to pray or adore any other fake God.

The Celtic people and Egyptians are considered pagan in natrue. Didnt the pharao whom Moses had to flee from pray to his fake God and His son still died? They also used "many Gods" in their belief , which was wrong and they got punishment fo rit.

The cross is an adaptation yes from the pagans.

Answer 4

A tradition of the Church which our fathers have inherited, was the adoption of the words "cross" and "crucify." These words are nowhere to be found in the Greek of the New Testament. These words are mistranslations, a "later rendering," of the Greek words stauros and stauroo. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says, "STAUROS denotes, primarily, an upright pole or stake...Both the noun and the verb stauroo, to fasten to a stake or pole, are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two-beamed cross. The shape of the latter had its origin in ancient Chaldea (Babylon), and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name)...By the middle of the 3rd century A.D. the churches had either departed from, certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the pretige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau or T, in its most frequent form, with the cross piece lowered, was adopted..." [1]

Answer 5

The cross became a Christian symbol, because Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, and afterwards, rose from the dead. At the time that Jesus lived, hanging someone on the cross the way Jesus was killed was called crucifixtion, and served much the way the lethal injection does today. Prior to Jesus's death (and subsequent resurrection), this was all the cross was -- a form of public execution. It now reminds Christians of the sacrifice Jesus made for them, thus the "religious" symbolism.

Answer 6

The cross was the roman way to kill people at that time. It had nothing christian.

The christians adopted the cross later as their symbol because it reminded them how much God had loved them.

Answer 7

I think I saw a 'History Channel' Show that said it was borrowed form the Egyptians. I don't know for sure. Maybe this can help lead you to the true answer you are seeking ;)

Answer 8

the cross signifies the crucifiction. if it wouldve been a circle that would be the symbol, it has nothing to do with pagan or any other religion. crosses were used back then to crucify All of the ppl they crucified not just Jesus

Answer 9

No, Christians use it because of the crucifixion. Other ancient religions used it centuries before Christ, and it isn't mentioned in the OT. Am surprised the fish symbol isn't used more.

Answer 10

Were they not jews before Christ came? So it must be a jewish symbol.

Well it also looks like a sword upside down. Dont you think?