How come only Catholic churches have a crucifix at the front of the church? *details so please read..?

Question

I've been to friends' churches and they of course all of crosses but it seems as the only Catholic churches have an actual crucifix to show Jesus dying for us. At other churches I don't really recall seeing anything having to do with Jesus other than the crosses. Catholic churches show Jesus carrying the cross and everything. I was just wondering why it's the only church to do that. Please don't get offended. I think it's WONDERFUL to go to church no matter the denomination!!!!!!!!! It's just something I've always been curious about =o) I'm sure I'll get rude answers but remember to Love thy neighbor

rascal: I don't think you know what idol worship is. Did you know about the golden calf? when moses took so long to come back with the 10 commandments, everyone started worshipping a calf made of gold. THAT is idol worship. WE worship God!

Rascal, don't believe EVERYTHING you read on the internet. The pope's purpose is to uphold the law of the Catholic church. The Catholic church is not going to sway to conform to society changes. THAT is the purpose of the pope.

Answer 1

In Germany, the Protestant churches have crucifixes as well. My father comes from the Church of Christ in Texas, and he says they don't use the crucifix because Jesus is not on the cross anymore. My mother who is Roman Catholic says that the Romans leave Jesus on some crosses to remind us of the very human suffering he endured because of our sins. They are both valid reasons, but it seems to boil down to personal choice. The Germans, as a culture, seem to be less squeamish about these things. Perhaps many American Protestants do not want that constant reminder of suffering in the presence of their children. I can definitely understand that.

And no, it is not because the Roman Catholics pray to idols. Many American Anglicans, or Episcopalians, have statues and crucifixes, as do many Lutheran churches. The assertion that this is idolatry is an uneducated, closed-minded assertion.

Answer 2

Actually, Eastern Orthodox churches also have crucifixes.

The empty cross is a symbol of Protestantism. Basically, it's people trying to be as non-Catholic Christian as they can be. They say something about how Catholics leave Jesus nailed to the Cross but they're all about the resurrection.

Some protestant churches are even doing away with the cross these days! We have a big one where I live that just built a new auditorium and they are very proud of the fact that there is no religious symbolism anywhere in it. Honestly, it could be a performing arts hall. They say it makes them more "seeker friendly" but IMHO, it takes the emphasis off Christ and puts it on the people and the performers...er, I mean, the worship band and the special music singers and the drama team and the preacher. Church isn't supposed to be about us -- it's supposed to be about the Lord.

Answer 3

The Church isn't as undesirable off as you're able to think of, actual the media does not help, actual the monks that had their very own schedule did no longer help, yet look on the final image. The Church is the main powerful this is been interior the millenia it has existed. There are greater believers in Christ at present that ever in background and it keeps to strengthen. there is no disaster interior the Church, for it somewhat is acceptable, this is the physique of Christ. we are the answer to many ills that impression the Church from a human attitude, and that's already occurring too, in a community and international way.

Answer 4

The MOST important thing that Jesus did for us was die for our sins to give us the gift of everlasting life.

He did rise from the dead but rising from the dead did not open the gates of heaven for us, dying for our sins did. The crucifix in no way denies the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the MOST important point in all of history.

The crucifix reminds us of this moment.

The following Scriptures even suggest that Jesus wants us to lift up his image:

Numbers 21:8-9 states: And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover." Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered.

And in John 3:14-15, Jesus says in correlation: "And just as Moses lifted up the [image of a] serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

The Suffering of Christ is an important aspect of the Catholic church, in a way that is not true of Protestant denominations.

We feel it is very important for people to remember that while, yes, their saviour died and rose from the dead, in Catholic faith we take the trouble to make ourselves aware of just what that means.

Inside the sanctuary, you will even see a diorama going around the church called the stations of the cross, a 12 step journey in images through the crucifixion.

http://www.cptryon.org/xpipassio/stations/

Answer 6

The crucifix symbolizes the most powerful moment on Earth when Jesus Christ (the eternal) died for all sins to restore mankind to eternal communion with the Father.

He died to restore mankind to eternal life. We are all invited to the Church where we die and arise in Jesus through Baptism, live eternally in the Eucharist, our sins can be forgiven, and our death may be a holy one.

Some Protestants don't understand that Jesus' death is what returns them to communion with the Father. They see only an empty cross to symbolize His Resurrection denying the monumental, agonizing death He gave us. His death is what sets us free from sin and death.

We Catholics know that in order to have eternal life we must be set free from sin. We know that Jesus' Ressurection assures us of a bodily, eternal life in Heaven communing with God and the Saints. We also know that the crux of our communion with God is the sacrifice given by Jesus on the cross for all mankind.

Yours in Christ Jesus

Answer 7

Catholic Church Live by that Symbol of Jesus and reminds us of his Sacrifices he did ,there some Church's that have a Plain Cross where Jesus is not on it ....its show Love, Respect to Him

Answer 8

I am not sure why non-Catholic Christian churches do not have a figure of Jesus on the cross, but I can tell you why Catholics do.

For most catholics, the important event in Jesus life as it relates to us is His death. Jesus was obedient to the father even though it meant His death. Adam's disobedience brought sin into the world and separated us from God. Jesus' obedience ripped the veil in the sanctuary and restored our relationship with the Father. Jesus' death opened the gates of Heaven for us.

For Catholics, it is important for us to be reminded of what Jesus did for us. He suffered and died for us. Jesus said that there is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his fellow man. Seeing Jesus on the cross tells us that these were not just words he said. He lived the words he preached.

Seeing Jesus on the cross is also a reminder of how far we should go in love of other people. If Jesus died for us, we should be ready and willing to die for others.

Lastly, it is a reminder that we may be persecuted and have to suffer for our faith, just as Jesus did.

Answer 9

Most protestant churches don't have crucifixes because we focus on Christ rising from the dead. The cross is a reminder of how Jesus suffered and died for us. I think it may have to do with empty cross, empty tomb...

Answer 10

Dear Boo... Catholic Church represents the only group of Christians that was directly influenced by the Romans who were experts in making statues and had a statue for everyone of their gods. When the Roman emperor converted to Christianity, three hundred years after Christ, he brought this tradition of statue making and associating with religious buildings with him into the Church. If not, you would never see or ever saw the statue of Moses in any synagogue or the statue of God. None of the early Christians carried a crucifix in front of them. If they did, you would have heard of it.

Making a statue in fact goes exactly counter to the Second of the Ten Commandments of Moses, which says DO NOT MAKE GRAVEN IMAGES .... of ANYTHING from the bottom of the Sea to high heaven!! Remember Jesus said I have not come to CHANGE the Laws of Moses, but to fulfill them!! Fulfillment of the laws of Moses is to bring MERCY to the dimension of Justice Laws, which is what Christ did! that is.. he brought Mercy to the equation.

There are many reasons for this stern and clear commandment against engraving gods or creatures. The basic truth is all pictures, statues or other representation of a living being lies. If my dad would send pictures of his youth on the internet to attract young females, he would be lying, although it would be his picture.

A human or even an animal is at one point a baby, at another point young, and at another point old. Regardless of what time did you select the statue or photo, it would lie for ALL OTHER STAGES of that entity's life. Even when it captures that one stage it means to represent, it brings many lies to the fore. You will have to think about the many lies this brings to the discussion in any picture. All pictures even photographs lie, by the way. Think abou it.

For example, if I made a picture, any picture from my mind and called it was YOU, when it is completely unlike you, in spite of my sincerity in truly representing you, I would be lying and misrepresenting. If you saw the pitcture, you would be at least amused, if not angry, especially if my imagination is not very good. Thus pictures always lie.

Why associate the holiest entities in your faith with lies? When the good Lord has forbidden even engraving birds and animals?

Many of the Protestants became Protestants after exposure to Islam. Martin Luther was the first person to translate the Quran into German and was a scholar of Arabic. This may come as a great surprise to many. But that is the truth. That is why even though alchohol was allowed when Christ came, many Protestants do not imbibe alchohol or look down upon dancing and dating, etc. Because a higher level of understanding was generated among the Europeans after exposure to Islam during the Crusades.

I hope this makes sense to you. It is not my intention to hurt your feelings. But it is always good to discuss facts with people and build bridges based on the Truth as one understands it.

Love thy neighbor indeed, for all neighbors are created, nourished and given life by YOUR God!! Take care.