are crosses and religion symbols breaking commandment of no graven images?

Answer 1

I think the "graven images" are of things that which are in Heaven,if I under that commandment right. But I do believe that in their context,today those "symbols" might be crossing over into the realm of "Idols" which break another commandment of God.

Answer 2

Yes and no. Some Christians believe that any form of symbolism might be seen as a graven image. The buildings where they worship are devoid of any symbols though they might have Bible verses up on the walls.

Other Christians see the use of basic symbols, primarily representations of Jesus, as OK... the cross as a symbol of great sacrifice, a lamb... also a symbol of sacrifice, the letters INRI (first letters of "Jesus Christ King of the Jews" in Latin which Pontius Pilate had nailed over Jesus on the cross), the fish symbol which uses the Greek word for Jesus, ixthus, once again taking those letters to spell out in Greek, "Jesus Christ God's Son, Savior," a painting of what they believe Jesus looked like (usually someone who resembles their own race/culture!) All of these things are symbols.

Eastern Orthodox use icons... seemingly "distorted" two dimensional images of Christ and various saints, purposely created not to look like a "photographic" image of the individual. They do not use statues seeing them as something that crosses the border into a possible violation of the second commandment.

Roman Catholic, some Anglicans and others uses statues... three dimensional symbols of Jesus and saints within their belief system as well as paintings, etc.

As for the person above me who wasn't familiar with this commandment it's not always easy to find:

Jews and most Protestant Christians have the Ten Commandments listed differently from the Roman Catholic Church. Protestants/Jews have the first Commandment as "You shall have no other Gods but me." The second Commandment is "You shall not make for yourself idols.... you shall not bow down and worship them." Roman Catholics combine these two commandments into one and then split the last commandment about covetting into two commandments.

I think the key phrase is "you shall not bow down and worship them." An idol is anything that gets in the way of a believer and God. If a Christian can worship in a church full of crosses, icons and/or statues and maintain a close contact with God, what's the problem? In the churches that uses visual symbols like these symbols were meant to be teaching tools. Alas... some people have gone too far in honoring these symbols and let themselves stumble over them on their way to God.

But on the same level... what can be said of the Christian who is wrapped up in making money or cheats on his/her spouse, or craves power in business or politics or religion? Aren't these "idols" just as perverse as someone who mistakingly worships a statue thinking that it is God.

It's easy to sit in judgement of people with crucifixes and icons or crosses and fish symbols. But it's even wiser to look beyond the symbols and see how that person responds to them... and then take a hard look at yourself and see what idols you have in your life too.

My best to you

Bill

Answer 3

No. Worshiping the aforementioned items would be, but using them as a reminder or symbol of devotion only strengthens the use of them in your spiritual life.

Answer 4

Yes. That is why Jehovah's Witnesses have no religious symbols in their Kingdom Halls.

Answer 5

i think a cross is just a reminder. We don't worship the cross itself, only the man who died on it!

Answer 6

No and I didn't realize that was one of the commandments, which one is it?

Answer 7

No. I think that people need to remember Jesus Christ any way they can.

Answer 8

That's not a CHRISTIAN commandment!