Respectful question regarding crucifx with/without Jesus figure?

Question

Hello and can I just apologise in advance if I offend any Muslims with this question, which is a serious one.

I was baptised a Christian and recently- with the world being the way it is- I have been thinking about prominently wearing a crucifix. So can someone of the Christian faith answer the following?

I am a Scottish Protestant and in some way, I have always been led to believe that those of the Roman Catholic faith wear crucifixes which incorporate a figure of Jesus of Nazareth. Whereas, a Protestant would wear a PLAIN crucifix. Is this supposition correct? For instance when I saw the lady who was suspended from BA I noticed she was wearing a plain crucifix, so presumably must be C of E.

Am I correct in this? If it's true I'd be interested how it came about.

Answer 1

protistants would normaly wear a plain cross but they do not see it as a lucky charm the way catholics often view the crusifix. it is only a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made but we know he is now in heaven with God the father

Answer 2

Generally speaking, Roman Catholics tend to be more apt to wear a crucifix with the Corpus (body of Christ) than a Protestant, who will often wear a plain cross or Celtic cross without the Corpus. The term "crucifix" generally implies the presence of the Corpus, whereas a "cross" need not have the body represented. There are many types of crosses and crucifixes, including the traditional Orthodox cross. I have seen a number of Protestants wearing the full crucifix on Good Friday. Other Protestants feel that the crucifix is morbid, remembering the dead Christ rather than honoring the risen one. However, whichever one you choose to wear is ultimately up to you.

Answer 3

People that believe Jesus dispensed his grace by dying on the cross wear and have the symbol of a CROSS, not a CRUCIFIX. The crucifix is a Catholic symbol that Jesus is basically in essence still dying on the cross everyday for our sins and grace is dispensed piece by piece little by little through the sacraments while Christians believe that all a person need do is accept Jesus as Lord and he has the grace of God in full and the forgiveness of his shed blood.

So that is why a Catholic crucifix has a dying Jesus on it still and the Christian cross is empty. It is all a matter of grace. So what does the Bible teach about grace? Which is more accurate to say?

Answer 4

Most Christians who wear a cross wear a plain one the thinking being that Jesus is not on the cross-He is Risen, It is a Roman Catholic tradition to wear a crucifix. The earliest Christians did neither of course--it would never occur to someone who had witnessed an actual crucifixion to wear an image of one as jewelry or use one as decoration.

Answer 5

There's no such thing as a "plain crucifix". A crucifix is a Cross with the crucified Christ on it. This is what Catholics wear. Protestants wear a cross without Christ...and is called a "cross". Sometimes the high church Anglicans might wear a crucifix.

Answer 6

My immediate reaction to a crucifix is that the wearer is a Roman Catholic or Anglo Catholic. It is customary for Protestants to wear plain crosses, to emphasise the all important fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Personally I wear a Huguenot cross. I wonder if the uninitiated would recognise it as a religious symbol? http://www.huguenotfellowship.org/cross.html

Answer 7

I'm not sure that there is a hard and fast rule, but in general your assumption is correct. Those crucifixes with the figure of Jesus on tend to be worn by Catholics and those without by protestants, though I have known Catholics to were crucifixes without the Jesus figure and protestants to where them with, though this is not common.

Answer 8

The technical definition of a crucifix is a cross with an attached Jesus-corpse-thingy. It is not the same thing as a cross.

Protestants tend to wear simple crosses with no evidence of a body, because they feel it is more important to remember that the cross didn't have the power to hold Christ. Catholics are more into the pain and suffering aspect. You've probably heard the expression 'Catholic guilt'....?

Answer 9

I've always been taught the same, and I've spent time in Catholic and Protestant churches (I'm a Protestant). Wear what you want, but some people are offended by crucifixes. I know some elders who think it is disgusting (not my opinion, but each has their own). Maybe talk to your pastor to make sure you won't offend anybody if you wear one.

Answer 10

I think you should wear whatever you feel comfortable with. Personally, I choose a simple cross as a personal reminder, but I have a Catholic friend who wears a crucifix. It's a matter of personal choice.

I am concerned for you, though, because you said that you were "baptized a Christian." Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, or is Christianity just a religion to you? Please examine your heart and make sure that you are truly a child of God and not just a religious person. Religion in and of itself is meaningless, without salvation through the blood of Jesus.

May God reveal Himself to you, and may your heart be fully receptive to His Word. :)

Answer 11

I prefer to wear a crucifix as opposed to a cross, just as a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
What you need to keep in mind though, is that they are just jewelry. Your true beliefs are in your heart! If I lost my crucifix, that wouldn't mean I lost my faith. God always has and always will be a major part of my life. Heck, He's the reason I am who I am...!