Are Christians by using the cruxifix going against Gods will?

Question

You shall not make for yourself an image, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:2-17

Answer 1

Should the cross be venerated? No, for Jesus was executed as a criminal, like the men impaled alongside him, and his manner of death misrepresented him in the worst way. First-century Christians would not have viewed the instrument of his execution as sacred. Venerating it would have meant glorifying the wrong deed committed on it, the murder of Jesus.

If your dearest friend were executed on false charges, would you make an image of the instrument of execution (say a hangman’s noose or an electric chair or the rifle of a firing squad) and then kiss that replica, burn candles before it, or wear it around your neck as a sacred ornament? That would be unthinkable. So, too, with the adoration of the cross. The fact that the cross is of pagan origin only makes the matter worse.

The veneration of the cross is not Christian. It does not show love for God or Christ but mocks what they stand for. It violates God’s commandments against idolatry. It reveres a pagan symbol masquerading as Christian. (Exodus 20:4, 5; Psalm 115:4-8; 1 Corinthians 10:14) To consider a pagan symbol as sacred violates God’s command: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? . . . ‘Quit touching the unclean thing.

Faithful servants of God are "walking by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor. 5:7

Answer 2

No.

All the old laws, statutes, and ordinances expired when Jesus did.

Jesus was clear on this. So was St. Paul. The old laws were temporary and never had the power to save. We are no longer under the old law.

Since Jesus came to us in the flesh, and made himself known to us as a flesh image of God, a heavenly thing, it is Jesus who changed the economy of salvation so radically and completely that none of the old things, especially the commandment you cite, have any relevancy in these new covenant times.

There are certain issues that any finished book, even the Bible, simply cannot properly detail and explain.

The expiration of the old law, and the institution of the new law, according to the grace, power, and authority Jesus gave only to his Church, is one of them.

It was the Catholic Church, the same Church that wrote all the new testament scriptures, who readopted and readapted the old commandments to the new realities of the age of grace.

To view the commandments as they validly exist today, since shortly after the resurrection, go here:

http://catholicism.about.com/cs/basicbeliefs/a/tencommand04.htm

Answer 3

Well, the key sentence there is 'bowing down and worship' them.

Long ago, when my church was much larger than it is now, some adults were talking to me about my collection of unicorns. They said that they wouldn't let their daughter collect unicorns. They gave me similar reasons as those you listed. I looked at them and said, "I don't have a shrine built to them and I don't pray to them. I just like them and collect them."

I have a couple of cross necklaces but I don't hold onto the cross like a talisman when I'm scared or praying or praising. I don't kneel before the cross and pray to it. I don't have a cross with Jesus represented hanging on it. The cross is a symbol of the price He paid for our souls to be cleaned. I don't agree with crucifixes, per se, but I think crosses by themselves are fine.

Answer 4

We don't worship the symbol of the cross. If we bowed down and chanting to the cross then it would be idol worship, but if we merely hang it around our neck as a symbol that we are a member of Christ then it is not idolatry.

Answer 5

It is a symbol of redemption and salvation after suffering and persecution. That is the meaning. I don't like the glorification of being a martyr because that is the glorification of tragedy. I think God wants people to survive and succeed, not to become martyrs. If someone is accepted as a saint, it should be because of his or her efforts-e.g. Mother Theresa-and not tragic death.

Answer 6

I believe that it constitutes an idol. I also find the crucifix offensive because it depicts Christ as dead and defeated. Christ has risen and is alive forever in heaven.

Answer 7

first of all we don't worship it and second it is a symbol of God..therefore you are remembering Him... I do believe however that Jesus should not be left on the cross... He's not there anymore, He's in Heaven

Answer 8

No. We are not worshipping the cruxifix. We have them as a constant reminder of Jesus, God's son, who died for all of us.

Answer 9

What else is new. They go against the prohibition of eating pork and liquor and to premarital sex.

Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

“And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth
not the cud; he is unclean to you”.
“Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch,
they are unclean to you.” [Leviticus 11:7-8]
Pork is also prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy
“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud,
it is unclean unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their
dead carcass.” [Deuteronomy 14:8]

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=78654

Answer 10

"say what" they is only one god in my life and thats me me me and me. The question is who is god as anyone seen him yet.