What do others think of the fish symbol with IXOYE?

Question

I know it means, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

When I was a child and I saw this sign on the back of someone's car, I thought..wow, what a kind, loving and Godly person that must be.

Today, when I see that sign, I think what a judgemental, hypocritical, arrogant and intollerant person that must be...

Do other's think the same thing?

Shouldn't we be able to recognize Christians by their words and deeds? So, why do so many feel the need to label themselves with bumper stickers and slogans on their shirts, etc...? Is it because they can no longer be recognized by their actions...so, they have to label themselves?

Answer 1

It's just cheap advertising... Keep it in mind that religion is a business and it's business is selling out-of-date tripe.

><>J''''''''''''''''' caught 'cha, little fishy.

((((( r u randy? )))))
.

Answer 2

Actually the letters are IXTHUS, the Greek word for Fish, and meaning Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.
I agree with you that our identification should be our actions, not bumper stickers. Anyway, I am always concerned that if I have a "holy" bumper sticker, and I happen to involuntarily make a move on the road that annoys somebody (we can't help doing that continually), that somebody will take it out, in his mind, on the subject of the bumper sticker.
On the other hand, I have a friend who has a fish on his car, and because of that, a hitch-hiker walked up to him in a parking lot and asked for a ride. Later, he said he had been nervous about hitch-hiking, but recognized the sticker and it inspired confidence. My friend was able to talk with him about the Lord.
But, as you say, the id should be the life not the sticker.

Answer 3

#3 is almost correct. The Greek word for fish is ichthus. Late in the first Century the Christians needed a way to hide from persecution and still be able to worship Jesus Christ so they came up with an acrostic. By using the letters that form the word fish they were able to disguise their Christian message and created a way to let other believers know that they could worship and meet at the place where the sign of the fish was. Iesous CHristos THeou Uios Soter is Greek for "Jesus Christ God's Son Savior". When a Christian saw the letters ICHTHUS or saw the fish symbol they knew it stood for CHristos THeou Uios Soter. This was their code of secrecy and freedom. I just wanted to add that this primo guy that answered earlier is partially correct in his explaination but he has no clue on the propper Greek spelling.

Answer 4

I'm not a Christian, but I see nothing inherently bad about placing an Ichthus symbol on the back of one's vehicle, wearing a cross or crucifix around one's neck, or having "Praise Jesus" emblazoned on one's shirts. It's not there to mock those who do not believe. It's a way to show one's pride in one's own tradition and signal other Christians to let them know that they are not alone.

Even though I am not religious, I like seeing such symbols. It reminds me how fortunate I am to live in a country that cherishes religious freedom for all. I get the same feeling when I see a Celtic design, Wiccan pentacle, or bumper sticker that declares "Proud to be a Muslim."

Answer 5

I have not found people with fish symbols to be arrogant or judgmental. Perhaps you had a poor sampling of people you ran into.

Sometimes feelings like that tell us more about ourselves than the others we caricature

Answer 6

Yep... you can't recognize someone's religion anymore by their actions. Some people are just darn good people... and others are having a hard time.

Answer 7

I think of it as a public service - a warning to all around to beware.

Answer 8

It's not bad with tartar sauce.