When a Catholic makes the sign of the cross, they pray "in the name of teh father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit", therby reaffirming our belief in the Trinity.
Do other non-Catholic Christians make this gesture? If not, why not?
2007-01-23 09:06:12 · 18 answers · asked by Sldgman 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
When the Protestants broke away from the Catholic Church, they broke away more and more from symbolic things in general.
Clothing, statues, symbols . . .
2007-01-23 09:16:30 · answer #1 · answered by Clark H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone once told me that carpet-bagging salesmen in Europe would prey on both Orthodox and Catholic communities. Evidentially, Orthodox and Catholic Christians make the sign of the cross in the opposite direction.
These salesmen would pretend to be orthodox in orthodx communitities, catholic in catholic communities (making the sign of the cross appropriate to each community), and take advantage of both communities, hence the phrase "dirty double-crosser"
2007-01-23 09:15:23 · answer #2 · answered by carwheelsongravel1975 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't, I was brought up Baptist. Another thing about the Catholics I do not believe in, is keeping Christ on the cross. To me it is just like burning someone in effigy. But then I don't hold anyones religion over their head. I figure everyone needs their light at the end of the tunnel.
2007-01-23 09:31:06 · answer #3 · answered by eks_spurt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The crossing of oneself is a reaffirmation of your baptism in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Other non-Catholic, yet Catholic related religions (e.g. Episcopalians/Anglicans) do cross themselves. Most Protestant or non-denominational religions do not.
2007-01-23 09:13:14 · answer #4 · answered by symtrnr 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't. It is looked down on in my church. We believe that Christ died for us, but the cross isn't the thing he did for us. The Garden of Gathsemany was a bigger thing then the cross. Dying only meant that He would be resurrected, just like it was fortold before He was born. To us, the sign of the cross is showing that we only care about his death, not his life.
We also don't believe in the Trinity. We believe that God, Christ and the Holy Ghost are three seperate beings.
2007-01-23 09:19:05 · answer #5 · answered by odd duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Catholic, and I don't make the gesture, but I think it is a wonderful thing to do. It shows respect and love.
Especially Love -- because when you make the cross, you are crossing over your heart, and that is love.
God cares what's IN your heart -- not gestures.
I don't do it, because I don't think it is necessary in my walk with the Lord.
But, if it gives you peace and joy to do so -- along with lighting candles -- then by all means, do it.
It's a beautiful custom.
2007-01-23 09:16:12 · answer #6 · answered by Dianne C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
fisheaters.com has a piece on the sign of the cross that covers the reasons and tradition of making the sign, what it means etc.....as for those that don't make the sign,it is a lack of understanding the true meaning of it,some fear it as they fear the catholic church,they fear the catholic church and practices because they don't understand the church and there is alot of anti catholicism going around sadly.
2007-01-23 09:38:14 · answer #7 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Russian Orthodox Church uses the sign of the cross as does the Greek Orthodox. As for why others don't, I am afraid I do not know.
2007-01-23 09:10:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Physically, their Prophets forbid formalities or worship of images.
Spiritually, faith can be expressed deeply from the heart to the One True God like the transmission of light signals from a computer to the Central Processor.
2007-01-23 09:19:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You go from right to left. you touch a little down a right from your shoulder. In the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. That's how you say it.
2016-05-24 01:51:25 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋