To me that is worshiping death not life. If you folks wanted to worship the life of a MAN why don't you have him cutting a piece of wood or talking to a crowd or bathing or even that spectacular thing you think he did , walking on water. it would seem much nicer.
2007-02-16 04:26:15 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you're referring to Catholicism because other branches of Christianity don't really have pictures or statues of this.
It's not really worshipping death, because he resurrected and, well, supposedly ascended to heaven. Jesus nailed to the cross represents his sacrifice--the pain, the humiliation, etc. of it. It was a really humiliating way to die during those times, you had to be a really, really bad criminal to do something like that. So the cross represents the sacrifice.. not the death. It's a reminder of how much he sacrificed. Oh and Catholics and other Christians believe that they are saved because of this, they're saved because Jesus died on the cross for their sins.
And.. though I am not Catholic or even Christian, I don't think they are worshipping the sacrifice, or the death or whatever, they are just worshipping what it represents and the statue or picture is a reminder of all that he did for them and it's the reason why they're saved.
2007-02-16 04:39:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
A cross and a crucifix are two different things. I'm Catholic, and do keep a crucifix in my house. It reminds me daily of the sacrifice of Christ. It's hardly worshipping death, as you claim, but instead, is a reminder of the intense love of God and His willingness to provide a remedy for sin. Like it or not, the Crucifixion is a key theme in mainstream Christian theology. I also own some plain crosses without the Corpus (the image of the body of Christ). And some crosses now show a risen and triumphant Christ, as well, or are left empty except for a robe draped across the top of the cross, suggesting that Christ was indeed there, but has now ascended to His father in heaven.
2007-02-16 04:34:27 · answer #2 · answered by solarius 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That isn't the ONLY Christian symbol. In fact, i think only Roman Catholics use the cross with Jesus on it; called a crucifix.
Other Christian symbols are a dove, a fish, the Greek letters and praying hands.
We also don't worship the cross. We worship the ONE who willingly gave HIS life on our behalf. And yes we worship the fact that the cross didn't have the final word - the empty tomb did!!
2007-02-16 05:20:34 · answer #3 · answered by mikey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to agree with what several others have already said. The crucifix (Jesus on the cross) is a Catholic symbol, I am not aware that other denominations of Christianity use the crucifix. We celebrate, and I am purposely using the word celebrate, the death and resurrection of Christ. At every Mass we pray "Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life" or a similar prayer.
2007-02-16 05:02:24 · answer #4 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cross represents what Jesus did for us. Many Churches have an empty cross which speaks of the risen Savior. Christianity is for the living and our God lives.
2007-02-16 04:34:33 · answer #5 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually it's an empty cross. It shows the power of God over death.
Another one is a fish.
Some denominations use the cross you describe to show the suffering that took place to forgive sins.
And it's easy to draw.
2007-02-16 04:29:54 · answer #6 · answered by awayforabit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus dying on the cross is not a "symbol" of death. Jesus dying on the cross is sacrafice. So all who wish to be forgiven of their sins are able to go to heaven.
2007-02-16 05:15:02 · answer #7 · answered by mrbladezz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because his suffering and death is what gave us life. Without his death, and the suffering we would not have salvation. We do not "worship his life"...we worship him as God.
The crucifixion is beautiful if you understand what it's all about.
2007-02-16 04:36:50 · answer #8 · answered by Misty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only Roman Catholics do this. Eastern orthodox churches always portray Jesus enthroned in Heaven, and Protestants usually show an empty cross, to show that Jesus is no longer dead.
Catholics want you to feel guilty all of the time, I suppose, so they show Jesus suffering for YOU.
2007-02-16 04:30:59 · answer #9 · answered by Randy G 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We (Lutherans) use only the cross. I think Catholics use the Crucifix with the body of Christ to remember the sacrifice he made for us.
2007-02-16 05:06:33 · answer #10 · answered by jasmin2236 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋