Someone once told me that it is offensive to wear a set of rosary beads as a necklace, or hang them from your rearview mirror in your car...
Is this a myth or do religious people find it offensive?
2007-07-29 02:22:28 · 14 answers · asked by classicrockfreak71687 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It depends why you have it.
If it is for show, or is fancy, then yes, it is highly offensive, as it makes a mockery of prayer. Prayer should be a private communication between you and God, or a group worship with like-minded people.
'Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.' - Matthew 6:1
'Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.' 1 Peter 3:3-4
It is also wrong, in my opinion, to wear any religious article, regardless of the religion, as a fashion symbol, as it is impolite to take an object of great religious meaning and treat it as though it's a piece of costume jewellery, such as when D&G made rosary's, and they were worn by porn stars and suchlike! To follow the trend, Claire's Accessories then also started selling rosaries, and loads of kiddies in my sisters' school were wearing them and yet had no idea what they meant, or how to pray with them, or that they had any significance. I found it particularly amusing when one of my sisters friends - who is a Muslim - came round wearing one, with no knowlege of what it really meant, or the message they were sending to the world about their faith.
If you keep it round your kneck so that you can grab it to pray with it easily, or hang it from your mirror so that you can pray the rosary during traffic jams or whatever, then all the more power to you, but if it's just for 'fun' then yes, that is offensive to Catholics.
2007-07-29 02:41:29 · answer #1 · answered by Pebbles 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hanging a rosary in the rearview mirror is quite common in Mexico, no one is offended.
The rosary around your neck is another matter, since many young men used it as a fashion trend (esp. as a way to identify gang members), without any religious / spiritual meaning. Be careful with that one.
Greetings!!!
2007-07-29 09:27:33 · answer #2 · answered by Ces 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Although I myself do not consider myself a religious person, several of my friends and aquantanices do share different beliefs....
I have not yet to see any offense taken by hanging a rosary or anything like it from the rearview window of a car. In fact, i make jewelry and things of the such and many of my clients themselves ask for such things with this intent in mind.
blessings to you
)o(
trinity
2007-07-29 09:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by trinity 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a rosary on my car because i believe in it's power. however, i don't believe people should wear it as necklace to be "fashionable". if the rosary is worn as a necklace during a religious ceremony or during fasting that's fine. but i find it offensive when i see celebrities wear it in their videos . the rosary is not just a "fad."
2007-07-29 09:30:04 · answer #4 · answered by Josi1000 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
many people hang a rosary from the rearview mirror of thir cars in Iran. nobody feel that it is offensive. even religous people may do this.
2007-07-29 09:32:52 · answer #5 · answered by mmahmoodian2000 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have one hanging in my car for when I want to use it, its always there. However, it is NOT appropriate to wear it around your neck--it is NOT a necklace. If you want it on your person, purchase one of the new rings or bracelets that are out, or a "rosary card"--it looks like a credit card and sticks in your wallet, and has Braille-esque dots on it.
2007-07-29 12:48:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anne D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's no reason to find a rosary offensive simply because you don't like it, or it doesn't follow your religious beliefs. There are a lot of things that I don't like, but i respect them, and have tolerance for because I know its better for our society to learn there are more then one religions and people who think differently because not only does it strengthen our religious beliefs but also because it allows for religious freedom. Wearing a rosary is not imposing their religious beliefs, rather it is expressing it. Most likely, people who wear them are people who are devout and pious, and have no intention to impose their beliefs on others.
2007-07-29 10:47:04 · answer #7 · answered by emanyio712 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why? I have a rosary around my mirror in the car! Who ever does not like it does not have to sit in my car! It is your believ that you have the right to practice!
2007-07-29 09:25:24 · answer #8 · answered by silverearth1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on why you have it around your neck OR rear view mirror.
if it's hanging in the car as a tool when you're stuck in traffic OR while you're drive you allow it to be a reminder to drive safely and cautiously -- fine.
i don't know why anyone would wear it on the outside of their clothing. my grandmother kept hers under her clothing so it was always handy for prayer but it's not an accessory, it's a prayer tool.
2007-07-29 09:48:57 · answer #9 · answered by Marysia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Growing up Catholic, I vaguely recall (but perhaps I'm wrong) being told it was blasphemy to wear a rosary as a necklace.
So I guess it is a sin for a Catholic to do so, but Catholic rules aren't binding on non-Catholics as far as I'm concerned.
2007-07-29 09:29:48 · answer #10 · answered by queenthesbian 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋