I'm pretty sure that's some kind of idol worship....?
2006-07-08 07:41:17 · 16 answers · asked by Chris K 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholics bow before a Crucifix to show love, reverence, and respect for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
The King James Version of the Bible states in Exodus 20:4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth"
Why were the Jews commanded not to make graven images? Graven images were the standard method of pagan worship. They were representations of false gods.
This is a very clear command. However God commanded the Jews in Exodus 25:18, "And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them" and in 1 Kings chapter 7 Solomon made bulls and other images out of precious metals.
It seems obvious that the Jews did not worship the cherubims and Solomon did not worship the bulls he had made. These images did not violate the command of God. Therefore, an image not made for worship is acceptable.
How can a statue of our Lord Jesus Christ dead on the cross be considered an idol to a false god? A crucifix is the message of the Gospel without words held up for all to see, a visual reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus, no different from a painting, a play, or a movie.
Catholics do not worship statues but the almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
With love in Christ.
2006-07-08 09:50:38 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Catholics are bowing before the crucifix as a respect toward Jesus in prayer. It is not a worship of the crucifix, but prayer toward Jesus in general.
As a catholic, I feel as though other christian religions are pretty arogant to make a comment like "I don't kneel before God".
I know when the judgement day comes, I will be kneeling before my God just as the people of the bible kneeled before Jesus when he was dying on the crucifix and other Biblical figures kneeled while praying. When I come face to face with Jesus, I will not be arrogant enough to stand while the rest of the world kneels to our savior in respect and admiration.
Please don't word things like this. If you are curious about why. Just ask "why do catholics do this?" Or "Is this idol worship?" Catholics will be happy to answer you. But don't say. "I'm sure this is some kind of idol worship".
THanks
2006-07-08 14:50:31 · answer #2 · answered by sheristeele 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason people take off their hats/salute/put their hands over their hearts during a civil flag ceremony or the singing of the national anthem. Everyone knows that they're not worshiping the flag, just showing respect for all it stands for. In the same way, Catholics bow before the crucifix out of reverence for the Savior it stands for, not because we believe the crucifix itself is God.
2006-07-08 15:11:06 · answer #3 · answered by M Huegerich 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are not bowing before a Crucifix when we enter the Church we are bowing or genuflecting to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Do you remember the Last Supper? "Take and eat this is My Body which will be given up for you." We believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist and not just symbolically.
2006-07-08 14:48:21 · answer #4 · answered by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Catholicism is based on paganism.
Catholics are taught to worship many Gods, including the pope, and idols.
2006-07-08 14:46:39 · answer #5 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To show reverence for what the crucifix represents. . . Jesus Christ, on the cross, for our sins.
Not idol worship.
2006-07-08 14:45:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reverence to the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We bow because in the tabernacle, the consecrated Host - Eucharist is present, and we bow and/or genuflect (one knee to the ground) to show reverence and respect for the One that gave his life in reparation for OUR sin.
In one word: Respect.
Good question!! God bless you.
2006-07-08 14:53:15 · answer #7 · answered by bri 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why does anyone bow before anything, but to show their reverence and their allegiance?
2006-07-08 14:46:30 · answer #8 · answered by caesar x 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is to show there respect to jesus and god. If you don't bow before it, it would be very disrespectful to god and jesus and the people in the church would be like "OMG! why did he do that! "sort of thing...
2006-07-10 20:21:26 · answer #9 · answered by deadly_nightshade5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We believe Jesus died in the cross for our sins. He had a choice and he chose dying a painful death for us, so as a sign of respect we do that.
2006-07-08 14:46:15 · answer #10 · answered by AMBER D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋