Why do Christians worship the image of Christ being crucified?

Question

It seems that this is a morbid way to be reminded of someone who taught an example of compassion, mercy, love, and kindness. Would somebody keep a picure of their murdered father or brother? Would they proudly display it, saying, "Here is my father with his throat cut. It reminds me of how much he loves me, since he died trying to save my life". This gruesome image of a bloody, suffering man, dying in a horrific way, is shameful to look upon. Why would you choose to remember one such as Christ in such a ghastly way?

When I say "worship", I am referring to the pervasiveness of this image. People wear crucifixes around their own necks. Churches prominently display the image in church, and some people genuflect in front of this image. They revere this image as a symbol of their faith. It is an icon which represents their beliefs. If someone were to destroy this image, it would be considered a blasphemy. That is worship.

Answer 1

Disturbing isn't it? I don't think they know.

Answer 2

Those are of Catholic denomination, the first Christians. We don't worship the image, it reminds us of the suffering. When I was a child, it reminded of his sacrifice for all of us and how he died to save us from sin. The crucifix is a reminder of that becuase an empty cross is just empty, it doesn't bring any feeling or empathy. We know that is not the real Jesus but is a reminder. Is not like having a corpse or cadaver with you. We chose to remember it this way because it gives us a clear, poignant vision of what he did. It helps us. Is just as why did so many Christians went to see the passion of the Christ where it was just a bloody actor portraying him? Becuase it reminds us of Jesus. That is the way we are.

RW- what religion are you? The Catholic Church was the first Christian Church established in 330 AD. The Protestants began in 1500s and took books out of the bible which is how they ended up with 66. Since then on, more Christian religions have come like Pentecostals which was ignited in 1901 in Topeka, Kansas. Which would you trust more? Every Christian has Catholic roots whether they like it or not. Without Catholicism, Christianity woudn't have happened.

Answer 3

This is kind of a semantic difference but as a general rule on Catholics display the Crucifixion. Catholics are one of the many groups that all fir under the umbrella of Christianity.

The reason they display it is as a reminder that when your life is difficult or you feel that you are unfairly doing more than your fair share of the work, to remember that Christ was tortured to death for you. Most christian faiths use the symbol of the empty cross to remind them of the idea of Christs Crucifixion. Like I said, only Catholics use the actual Crucifixion.

Answer 4

Because it is a reminder to some, "Some"have to be "reminded", of how he "suffered", so that they "may" be "saved", It is to remind others that the suffering that they are going through is no where near the suffering he endured for them,And it gives Hope to some to know what he went through for us all,Was bared ,own the cross so we don't have to bare, such any more, God Bless you, and it is great that you are one of the ones who don't have to be reminded of His death own the cross, But try not to condemn those that are not like you...their is a lot of people that have to be reminded of this, So that they may be saved,and call out to Jesus,God bless the USA and Israel and All,

Answer 5

Lori S from your question, i got h feeling you were quite young and perhaps have not relly lived OR seen much injustices
When the Passion of Christ -came out i asked that same ques. it was a week or so AFTER that it 'hit' me! You see i too tht GOD all his agony, suffering WHY?? Well look @ how much Jesus was abused, suffered, unjustly YET he was ble to stay with his FORGIVENESS. THAT was th message i think, how one was able to endure qll that, yet forgive.....YOU know it may b quite easy for one to forgive a small injustice BUT try being crucified, and still STAND for love, forgiveness! It's almost impossible....'IT' was (is) an XAMPLE for Christains is my belief... why they choose the image again It wasn't the suffering so much as the MESSAGE & Spiritual strength IT would tk to b brutalized & still forgive It' n ideal a standard Of how much cn one xperience injustice & still forgive Physical values VS Sptritual let me kno what you think of my answer..... Saint Peter [jokng[

Answer 6

surely, hon, there is in basic terms a small quantity of info that Jesus existed (point out of somebody by potential of that not uncommon call being crucified and another point out of a prisoner named Jesus, yet not the rest shop the Bible) and your information of who became crucified is slightly ignorant. people who claimed to be priest-kings of Israel (Messiahs) have been additionally crucified, as have been any claimants to management in any subjugated areas in Roman territories. The Bible IS a historic checklist. the numerous books in it come from a sort of materials and your expectation that such documents might have the comparable point of veracity, order, or the different standards of modern historic previous books is stupid. it fairly is not present day fiction, yet a textual content textile, element of which became used for many long centuries until now Jesus became born. all of us that opposed Rome could be crucified. concerning crucifixion because of the fact the effect of being the scum of Rome is slightly stupid.

Answer 7

EXCELLENT QUESTION!!!!!!!!

I agree with you 100% .. not only is it sick,morbid, or whatever , It makes no sense to me..Also, and this is not an exact quote ok :) the BIBLE states not to worship things from above below or of the earth etc.. etc.. I believe that a statue of JESUS in a church is a form of worshiping/idolatry that GOD forbids..I can feel the eyes of scrutinizing Christians on me already :)

That doesnot mean I do not believe in JESUS , it just means I choose to worship JESUS for who /what he came here to do..
To be the best I can be according to what JESUS showed us ..

Remebering how JESUS died for us is humbling and should be remembered ( in our mind ) not as a statue in a church..For the reason that our very lives were saved because of JESUS..

As a former Lutheran( because of my baptism in a Lutheran Church) ,I am now a non-denominational Christian.
The Lutherans have these big statues of JESUS in their churches and I used to get sick to my stomach everytime I would see one ..

Thanks you sooo much for such an excellent question.
Love and Blessings to you :)

Answer 8

It's a mistake to equate Catholicism with Christian. It's like saying if you live in Europe your Italian. For Christians the cross isn't worshiped, it's a reminder. If you see one with the body of Jesus on it it's probably Catholic. I think it would be best if they answered that question.

Answer 9

i am a Christian. not to over categorize, but i have noticed that the catholic religion appears to place great emphasis on that scene.

We should celebrate both the death and ressurection for it was through his death that our sins were forgiven, and His ressurection that we have eternal life.

the bible teaches that we shouldnt worship any images, crosses, pics, etc. Only the risen Christ.

that would be like hanging an electric chair or noose around ur neck if they had killed him that way...(and yes i know they hadnt discovered electricity yet)

hope that helps.

Answer 10

So we could remeber what he did for us but maybe not the best way! Many chrstains are mislead like cathlicos with the statues of Mary,Jesus and the Saints. God died for us so just always remeber what he did dont make a lifeless statue.

Answer 11

Not a very good sales pitch either..."walk in the footsteps of Christ". The crucifix sure doesn't motivate me to be like Christ! Why would I want to be nailed down tortured and stabbed?