What's the difference between praying infront of a statue of Jesus on the Cross, and praying to just a cross??

Question

Help me out here....

I mean, is it the ceramic nature of a statue which makes praying to it a sin or what?
Why is it OK for non catholics to pray to a cross? It's basically just two planks of intersecting wood?

And Catholics don't pray to the statue. That's retarded, Say if a Catholic is praying infront of a statue of Jesus, they wouldn't be praying to the statue, they'd be praying to Jesus. The statue a) has an aesthetic appeal, and b) reminds us of who we are praying to. Being human beings, physical manifestations of things make us feel more attached to something. Why else do people take photos, for example?

Praying infront of a statue is no different to going to a holy place to pray. You're still praying to the same person, the surrounds are just different.

Answer 1

I pray to the rock of my salvation.Jesus.<><

Answer 2

If anyone is praying "to" an object that is idolatry, whether or not it's a cross or a crucifix or anything else. I don't know any Christians who pray to a cross and the Catholics whom I've heard questioned about this practice claim that when they pray in front of an object they are using it to focus their thoughts on Jesus or God or something like that.

Answer 3

Sorry but I can't say I have ever prayed to either a cross or cross with represented Jesus. Jesus said if one was to pray go to a solitary place and pray what you ask of the father in private he shall give you openly. The thing is prayer should be between you and God!

Answer 4

and what is praying? Remember the jews in the time of the early christians hated Jesus Christ, so how come an idolater could have carved a sculpture resembling an authentic 'Jesus the Christ' image?

Anyway, the Bible forbid "worshipping a molten image". Perhaps, one needs to pray the christian way. And what is that way? Read the Bible, especially the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ regarding correct praying.

Answer 5

Praying in front of a cross reminds us of the Resurrection since Jesus isn't on the cross any more.

Answer 6

BOTH are using an object to represent something in worship. The sense of Exodus teaches us that God doesn't want images or objects which are not established in scripture (like bread and wine at the eucharist were) involved in our worship.

Ex 20:4 “Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. 5 You must never worship or bow down to them..."

If it is not something God instructed, it shouldn't be in worship. "Bowing or kneeling before" is the root meaning of the primary word from the Greek New Testament which is translated, "worship." The position implies the object of our worship. It would be a technical violation of the teachings about idolatry to bow or kneel with ANY OBJECT as your focus.

Answer 7

You don't need to pray to any object. You can go to your knees and pray in the middle of a field and Jesus will take your message to His Father,GOD in Heaven. You don't pray to God,He won't hear you, you must pray to Jesus and He will speak to God on your behalf.

Answer 8

Well, I don't pray TO the cross. The cross is a symbol to remind me of a debt that was paid on my behalf. I pray TO God. The cross doesn't answer. God does.

Now, my gripe with a crucifix is that on the 3rd day the tomb was empty.The cross was too.

He lives.

Answer 9

As long as each one is used as an inspiration of your faith, not the center of it, I don't see a problem with either one. All churches are filled with paintings, symbols, and cloths that are used to remind us of our faith.

If you start expecting the figure on the statue to come down and answer your prayers, then you have a problem with idolatry.

Answer 10

They are just reminders. People do not pray TO either one.