If idolatry is expressly forbidden in the bible, why do so many Christians wear crosses?

Answer 1

Idolatry is worshiping a false God. People who wear crosses are not saying, "This cross is a God to me and I will follow it and do whatever it says." Instead the cross is an icon, a symbol of the sacrifice their God has made for their sins. Very different.

God is in favor of symbology as evidenced by such things as the rainbow which he left as a symbol of his promise to never flood the earth again.

Answer 2

Because they want to worship something they see. They are ignoring the advice to be “walking by faith, not by sight.”—2 Corinthians 5:7.

Is it really proper for a Christian to wear a cross? Does it accurately portray the way Christ died? And are there valid objections even to wearing it as an ornament?
You may assume that Christians were the first to use the cross. The Encyclopedia Americana, however, speaks of “its ancient usage by both Hindus and Buddhists in India and China, and by the Persians, Assyrians, and Babylonians.” Similarly, Chambers’s Encyclopaedia, (1969 edition) says that the cross “was an emblem to which religious and mystical meanings were attached long before the Christian era.”

Indeed, there is no evidence that early Christians used the cross in their worship. During the early days of Christianity, it was the pagan Romans who used the cross! Says The Companion Bible: “These crosses were used as symbols of the Babylonian sun-god . . . and are first seen on a coin of Julius Caesar, 100-44 B.C., and then on a coin struck by Caesar’s heir (Augustus), 20 B.C.” The Roman nature-god Bacchus was at times represented with a headband containing a number of crosses.

How, then, did the cross become the symbol of Christendom?
In 312 C.E., Constantine, ruling the area now known as France and Britain, headed out to war against his brother-in-law, Maxentius, of Italy. En route he reportedly saw a vision—a cross on which were the words “Hoc vince,” meaning, “By this conquer.” After his victory, Constantine made the cross the standard of his armies. When Christianity later became the state religion of the Roman Empire, the cross became the symbol of the church.

But did such a vision actually take place? Accounts of this legend are, at best, secondhand and full of discrepancies. Frankly, it would be difficult to find a more unlikely candidate for a divine revelation than Constantine. At the time of this supposed event, he was an avid sun-god worshiper. Constantine even dedicated Sunday as the day for sun worship. His conduct after his so-called conversion also gave little evidence of real dedication to right principles. Murder, intrigue, and political ambition ruled his life. It seems that for Constantine, Christianity was little more than a political device to unite a fragmented empire.

Over the years, some 400 different styles of crosses developed. At first, Christ himself was not portrayed. Rather, a youth holding a jeweled cross would be depicted. Later, a lamb was included. In 691 C.E., the council in Trullo made “official” a cross showing the bust of a young man, instead of a lamb, over the cross. In time this developed into the crucifix—a cross with a representation of the body of Christ.

Even after considering such a history some may still see nothing wrong with wearing a cross. ‘It’s just an ornament,’ they may say.

But you must bear in mind, though, how the cross has been used down through history—as an object of pagan worship and of superstitious awe. Could wearing a cross, even as just an ornament, be harmonized with the admonition of the apostle Paul at 1 Corinthians 10:14: “Therefore, my beloved ones, flee from idolatry”?

What about true Christians today? They, too, should be conscious of the need to ‘guard themselves from idols,’ as the Bible counsels. (1 John 5:21)

Though true Christians do not wear crosses, they deeply appreciate the fact that Christ died for them. They know that Christ’s sacrifice is a marvelous demonstration of “God’s power” and eternal love. (1 Corinthians 1:18; John 3:16) But they need no material object like a cross to help them worship this God of love. For, as Paul exhorted, they must be “walking by faith, not by sight.”—2 Corinthians 5:7.

Answer 3

in case you bypass again to the Creed, it is the necessary record for Christianity, and what it is to also be Christian, you'll see a line about the "communion of saints." Praying through a Saint (useless individual) isn't forbidden in any respect! And, Jesus Christ IS a living guy! He basically occurs to be God to boot. i'm no longer Roman Catholic, besides the undeniable fact that I did attend an RC seminary. RC's honestly do no longer idolize the Pope! some have a "superstar worship," it is amazingly like all rock superstar or movie actor would get. he's respected as a non secular chief, and is the position he's through his advantages. RC's are forbidden idolatry. it is amazingly sparkling. I even ought to admit, i'm uncomfortable with the quantity of reverence they pay to "issues," besides the undeniable fact that, they do no longer pray to them, nor lead them to gods, it is what idolatry is. issues can placed you in a "liturgical position" to go back across God, yet no RC that i understand prays to a statue as an get mutually. which will be incorrect, and they understand it.

Answer 4

Yes it could be a form a idolatry. The cross itself, is a pagan symbol. Christians are to remember what happened on the cross not the cross itself. I suppose many christians are not aware of that fact. maybe they wear it to remember ?

Answer 5

Idolatry is the worship of an object - I do not worship the cross - I wear it as a reminder of the great sacrifice Jesus did for me. I wear it to remember to be more Christ-like in my everyday life. I wear it to show where my heart lies.

Answer 6

Forgive me if I am wrong, but is not idolatry having something that takes ones site away from god. The cross is just a symbol of god. I think they are two different things.
B

Answer 7

* Not all christians think this is okay. Yes some faiths like catholic do, but I know many Baptists, and others in the mainstreasm who do not. Look around and you see many non christians wear crosses. It is not always worn to express religion, but I admit is many times. I have one on my belt key fob, but it is a celtic cross with a human scull in the middle of the t.

If you watch porn you will find many actresses in those films wear a cross. I have seen nude pictures of women in magazines like Easy rider wear crosses. i go to biker rallies and film nude women walking around and a good many of them wear crosses. sometimes it is just a peace of jewlry. But due to it being used as a Christian symbol many times Crosses are allowed when other jewlry is banned in schools and work places.*

Answer 8

The trinity is idolatry. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy mind and all thy soul, Thou shalt not make any graven image....

Jesus was elevated by the corrupt clergy to the level of God.

How many are there of God? One! Then why did Jesus get made partners with God? Its from the religion of Nimrod which was wed to Christianity at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Today Christianity is trinitarian, babylonian paganism. Pure and simple.

Answer 9

It is my understanding that idolatry means worshiping idols. Christians do not worship the cross. they wear them as a symbol of their religion.

Answer 10

excellent question!!! it is forbidden and i can only answer for myself as a christian--right now i'm wearing an ac/dc shirt, i don't worship them, jean shorts, don't worship them either, for myself i wear a cross on occasion (and strangely normally never to church) as 1- a profession of my faith, 2- as jewelry now I was going to say as a reminder, but then that sounds a bit silly when you shouldn't have to be reminded of the sacrifice that was given, so my friend hope I answered your question and as I said before excellent question!!!