A bit of help from the religious community, please?

Question

Up front, I would like to put forth that I haven't met you personally and anything I say should NOT be interpreted as a bias or prejudice, because I'm pretty tolerant. Now, I carry an ankh, a pagan symbol of life. I myself am an atheist, and I just happen to like it. When people ask me if it's a cross and I say no, they either stare at me or get offended. Why? I put up with their religious prattle, why can't I carry a little piece of stone? Please be honest, this really bothers me. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

In the month I've been on this website, I have found Christians to be very intolerant of other people's opinions.

Just ignore them.

Answer 2

The ones who stare have probably never heard of an ankh before and may be a little confused. You could offer an explanation as to its origin and meaning. As to the ones who get offended, I'm afraid they're the only ones who would know why. My guess is that they may feel that the ankh is a perversion of their cross. (Not so; the ankh was around as a symbol of life for millenia before the cross.)

I don't blame you for being bothered. I have had similar problems with my pentacle. People have actually asked me if I'm Jewish. Sometimes they're being snide and other times, they really have never seen a pentacle. Either way, I treat each inquiry as the latter possibility and gently explain that a Star of David has six sides, while my pentacle only has five. I think what annoys me most is people's lack of attention for detail! I worry when people can't tell the difference between a star that has six points and a star that has five. Or when people can't discern what is and is not a cross.

Answer 3

You're not being offensive by wearing an Ankh - it's ancient Egyptian anyway. If other people take umbridge then that's their problem. I get stared at all the time at the moment as I'm on crutches - some people just can't cope with anything a little bit different - it's their problem not yours. People get very protective about religion and some believe that anyone else who is not of their 'way' is automatically against it and they should be 'smiting the unbelievers'. Not a healthy way to live IMHO.

Answer 4

Maltese crosses were popular when I was young. Everybody had them and we weren't particularly religious. But it's interesting that you know the ankh is pagan and people are confusing it with the so-called "christian" cross. The cross has always been a pagan symbol in it's many varieties and the use of symbols and statues and such doesn't originate with Christianity as found in the Bible. At least you are honest about it.

Answer 5

Probably because the people that have offended you just don't understand it. Each to their own, I'm Catholic and wear a crucifix, i wouldn't be offended if i saw it. I might ask you though why you have let other people make you describe it as just 'a little piece of stone'! If it symbolises and represents your belief. Personally, I wouldn't allow another denomination describe what i choose to wear as just a little cross, to me it means more. Believe in what you believe in or don't, as the case may be, but whatever your choice is don't belittle it yourself! Be proud of whoever or whatever you are, we're all different, yet we should all be more tolerent of other people's beliefs, cultures, race etc etc. We may all be a bit happier if we all accepted each other for who we are without conditions or out of date, narrow minded opinions and attitudes. Express yourself how you like, tell nosey parkers and narrow minded others to mind their own business.

Answer 6

I'm an atheist and an occultist. I wear an ankh too.

Many religious folks have not bothered to look outside their own narrow box to see the great big world out there. More over they feel their way is the right way but they are so insecure that your not agreeing with them is an affront to them. So they get nasty because they can't figure out what else to do.

Screw'em!

Answer 7

I suppose it has to do with mainstream america just not being open minded enough to accept that there are many ways to believe in something and that just because someone wears a specific thing does not mean they idolize it. I love the celtic design of jewelry but I do not harbor any affiliation for the druids or fairies. I do not know enough about them. Many people wear chakra beads because they are pretty and they haven't the slightest idea what they are wearing and what it signifies. Live and let live.

Answer 8

They, um, do what? ::baffled:: How... odd. Do you just say "no", or do you tell them what it is? They *might* be confused, but if not, I can't understand why they would be offended. ::shrugs::

I know a few people who feel that ankhs should be worn only by those who follow the Egyptian deities, but I think most folks realize that it's moved beyond being solely a symbol for that.

Answer 9

The ankh was originally an Egyptian symbol. If you want to wear it, it's your business. If symbols have meaning to you, perhaps some research would be helpful.

Answer 10

Sorry about the negative reactions but please try to understand.I'm a Christian. Christian's love God (Jesus) so much that we want Him to have everything He wants. What He want's is all souls saved so everyone will be with Him In Heaven. When we someone going in another direction we get offended not for ourselves but for God. Many of us try not to act offended so as to hopefully win over unbelievers with our kindness. Others go to the other extream thinking that if you see how much it bothers us you might investigate why and hopefully learn of God's love in the process. Unfortunately that usually leads people to not want to have anything to do with us rather than investigate why we think the way we do. In any case no real offense is ment. We just want to see you in the family.