The Greek word rendered “cross” in many modern Bible versions (“torture stake” in NW) is stau·ros´. In classical Greek, this word meant merely an upright stake, or pale. Later it also came to be used for an execution stake having a crosspiece. The Imperial Bible-Dictionary acknowledges this, saying: “The Greek word for cross, [stau·ros´], properly signified a stake, an upright pole, or piece of paling, on which anything might be hung, or which might be used in impaling [fencing in] a piece of ground. . . . Even amongst the Romans the crux (from which our cross is derived) appears to have been originally an upright pole.”—Edited by P. Fairbairn (London, 1874), Vol. I, p. 376 “The shape of the [two-beamed cross] had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in that country and in adjacent lands, including Egypt. By the middle of the 3rd cent. A.D. the churches had either departed from, or had travestied, certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the prestige 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 to stand for the cross of Christ.”—An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words (London, 1962), W. E. Vine, p. 256.
2006-10-20 06:31:43
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answer #1
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answered by dunc 3
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I'm not in the slightest bit offended by someone wearing a cross, or a Star of David, or any other kind of religious symbolism, BUT I am deeply offended that religious beliefs are regarded as valid justification for breaking conventions and rules and regulations that other people are expected to follow. They are not.
2006-10-20 05:43:20
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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I wouldn't get offended. But then again, I'm Christian, so what the hell. Loads of people wear crosses nowadays anyway, even if they're not Christian. Plus Muslims wear veils and Jews wear skullcaps, don't they, so what's wrong with crosses?
2006-10-20 05:32:30
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answer #3
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answered by Katrina Van Tassel 2
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I am--it makes me uncomfortable, especially if it's big or prominently displayed--I don't even want to talk to the people who wear them like that, because sooner or later they're going to steer tha conversation towoards their church and religion--it's especially bad in a workplace environment because you can't just walk away from them, and even though the place has rules against jewelry(for safety reasons) and a dress code that both prohibit anybody else from wearing something similar these people expect and recieve special treatment--I keep hoping to see somebody's cross get caught in a piece of machinery and cause them a serious injury
2006-10-20 10:38:44
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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Why would anybody be offended by the cross in a Christian country?
BA is going to lose a lot of income.
2006-10-20 05:42:52
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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I'm not offended by anyone's dress, whether they wear a Cross, a Star of David, a Hand of Fatima pendant, an 'Aum' necklace etc etc I only get offended when people get hysterical with me over my pentagram. I'm not fussed about their religious persuasion, so why are they fussed about mine?
2006-10-20 05:38:09
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answer #6
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answered by deccaboo 2
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Jesus Christ brought salvation only through the cross. So HE will glory on the cross. He will be more happy since you are remembering the finished work of Jesus Christ on the corss.
Let GOD be glorified.
Edwin.
2006-10-20 05:34:59
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answer #7
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answered by edwin_mony 2
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I am no more offended by someone wearing a cross than I would be someone wearing a pentagram or star of David... or Ozzy Osbourne concert t-shirt.
2006-10-20 05:31:38
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answer #8
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answered by Blackacre 7
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As long as everyone has the right to wear the sign of their faith (including Muslim women wearing the veil) I see nothing wrong with someone wearing a cross. However, if you outlaw one, you must outlaw them all.
2006-10-20 05:34:07
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answer #9
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answered by Girl Wonder 5
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I'm only offended when then start behaving in an un-christian manner
2006-10-20 05:33:14
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answer #10
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answered by trebs 5
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