As a Foreigner, I find too difficult to understand, why there is no Crucifix, (A cross with the figure of Jesus crucified upon it) in almost any Church in America?
No offence to any one, please help me to understand.
2007-01-24 08:04:29 · 38 answers · asked by Friend 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You will find a crucifix in almost every Catholic Church in America. I believe most Protestant churches don't display it so as not be construed as copying the Catholics.
2007-01-24 08:09:25 · answer #1 · answered by albert_noodles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Roman Catholic churches still use a crucifix instead of a simple cross.
Theologically, some people prefer a cross without the corpus (body) because, for some people, the dying/dead body of Jesus focuses the symbol too much on the death of Christ and not as much on the resurrection. An empty cross can embody the entire mystery. That's just one point of view, by the way.
2007-01-24 08:16:02 · answer #2 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most churches in America are Protestant churches; Most protestants think that having a crucifix is wrong for one of two reasons:
(1) having an "image", or statute of god violates the second commandment given by Moses that states that we should make no carved image of God, nor worship it;
(2) Jesus is no longer dead.
Regarding (2), notice that Eastern (Greek) Orthodox churches don't have crucifixes either; they always show a victorious Jesus seated in Heaven, not suffering on the cross. Roman Catholicism seems to revolve around guilt (no offense) so they seem to constantly rub your nose in the fact that Jesus SUFFERED for you sins (take the "Passion of the Christ" move for example).
2007-01-24 08:12:22 · answer #3 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many crucifixes in Catholic churches in the U.S., and many Americans wear a smaller crucifix as a necklace.
There are many churches in the U.S. which are Christian but not Catholic, and they usually prefer to display a plain cross instead of a crucifix (with Jesus's body on it). The reason behind this - they don't want the visual imagery to focus on death and suffering, they prefer to focus on the life of Jesus and a loving God.
2007-01-24 08:09:52 · answer #4 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a Roman Catholic or Episcopalean church. You will find the crucifix.
Protestant sects, which is anyone who is non-Roman Catholic; Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc. There's a lot of them. Protestants usually do not have a crucifix (the cross with the crucified Christ). That seems to be a Roman Catholic thing.
2007-01-24 08:06:38 · answer #5 · answered by credo quia est absurdum 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can't remember being in a church that didn't have a cross in it. All Catholic churches have the Crucifix. I guess others do too. Welcome to America. I hope someone out there can help you understand, I'm at a loss of why now myself.
2007-01-24 08:13:24 · answer #6 · answered by lucysmom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because of the overwhelming majority of protestant churches in the US. Protestants tend to focus more on resurrected Jesus and have the unoccupied cross as a symbol of Jesus' resurrection.
There are still plenty of crucifix around if you know where to look. Catholic churches are almost guaranteed to have them.
2007-01-24 08:09:45 · answer #7 · answered by jtivytk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know of plenty of churches with a crucifix. I believe lots of newer churches have moved away from that because it is a different style of decor i.e. the church has a more modern decor and so a more modern styled religious symbol (often just a plain cross) behind the altar.
2007-01-24 08:07:47 · answer #8 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
actual, eastern Orthodox church buildings actually have crucifixes. The empty bypass is an emblem of Protestantism. if truth be told, it is human beings attempting to be as non-Catholic Christian as they're typically. they say something about how Catholics go away Jesus nailed to the bypass yet they're all about the resurrection. some protestant church buildings are even getting rid of the bypass lately! we've a large one the position I stay that purely outfitted a sparkling auditorium and they are very pleased with the very shown actuality that there is not any non secular symbolism everywhere in it. actually, it will be a appearing arts hall. they say it makes them more suitable "seeker pleasant" yet IMHO, it takes the emphasis off Christ and places it on the human beings and the performers...er, I propose, the worship band and the particular music singers and the drama crew and the preacher. Church isn't meant to be about us -- it is meant to be about the Lord.
2016-10-16 01:29:40 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholic churches do have crucifixes. However, protestant Church don't because . . . . Jesus is not on the cross, He is in heaven with the Father. Portraying Him still on the cross in incorrect, the cross did not keep Him, He overcame even the cross.
2007-01-24 08:09:03 · answer #10 · answered by lady_blu_iz 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋