I am a Christian, and I have always wondered why Catholics and some High Church of England priests 'cross themselves when they pray or see something bad. Is this something that was put in place by man or is it in the bible. I have read a lot of the Bible, but I cannot find one reference to it.
2007-10-26 01:07:38 · 15 answers · asked by crushed butterfly 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To jon jon, I was not 'attacking' Catholics, because I even know some people who are Church of England to do it as well. It was just a simple question to find out the meaning, and whether it is in the bible. And yes, my church does things that are not in the bible, but so does every church.
2007-10-26 01:36:09 · update #1
I believe it came from the pagan ritual of protection. There is a reference to it during the the early years of Christianity and a way to convert others from the old deities and their rituals to the new. Those of the other religions, or ancient beliefs, the women of the home and their shaman or priest would bless the men before they would go out to hunt or to war. It would be like pointing to the head for good judgment, the heart to remember the ones at home and for compassion as well as to protect from arrows or tools of war to keep them from being fatally injured, the stomach so they will never go hungry, then from shoulder to shoulder to give them strength to carry their burdens and to protect from fatal injuries. As the early priests witnessed this and saw that it was a blessing and resembled the Cross of Christ they adapted it as a blessing and ritual to represent their new God and showed it to the Pagans so that they could show resemblance to their religion and make conversion to the new and true religion.
I starred your question because I think maybe a friend of mine that is knowledgeable in ancient practices and religions may see it and may confirm or know the full story.
Great question by the way, I wondered about it myself.
2007-10-26 01:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by Karma of the Poodle 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Sign of the Cross is absolutely ancient, rooted not only in the Old Testament but the New (Apocalypse speaks of those who have the sign of God in their foreheads
When Catholics undergo the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Bishop (sometimes a priest) seals the sign on our foreheads with holy chrism. St. John of Damascus wrote
This was given to us as a sign on our forehead, just as the circumcision was given to Israel: for by it we believers are separated and distinguished from unbelievers.
Crossing one's self recalls this seal, and the invocation that is said while making this holy sign calls on our God -- the Father, His Son, and the Holy Ghost -- and is a sign of our of belief; it is both a "mini-creed" that asserts our belief in the Triune God, and a prayer that invokes Him. The use of holy water when making this sign, such as we do when we enter a church, also recalls our Baptism and should bring to mind that we are born again of water and Spirit, thanks be to God.
Because of what the Sign indicates -- the very Cross of our salvation -- Satan hates it, and our using it makes demons flee. Make the Sign in times of temptation and confusion for great spiritual benefit!
2007-10-26 04:35:06 · answer #2 · answered by TigerLily 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"crossing" ourself or doing the sign of the cross today is a form of prayer...The words that accompany the crossing is " In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit"..
....in early christian times (when christians were the persecuted instead of the persecuter) the sign of the cross was used as a secret password so to speak...so others will know u were christian.
i have no idea where i read this....thats a great question..ill ask a priest next time i see one
2007-10-26 01:46:41 · answer #3 · answered by Orita 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tradition. Just as the bible is tradition. (The Catholic Church picked which books would be in it in the 3rd century, of course Luther dropped a few he didn't like, but that's beside the point)
We don't assume that things handed down to us from the Apostolic tradition come from anywhere but from the Apostles. It's the first part of "Faith, Hope, and Love."
2007-10-26 01:34:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catholics cross themselves and say " In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
2007-10-26 01:29:08 · answer #5 · answered by Gerry 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is simply a way to bless oursevles and to remind us that the cross of Jesus is always before us. Many people from other denominations wear crosses around their necks. It isn't much different than that.
2007-10-26 03:02:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it is because Jesus was nailed to a cross. Check the New Testament; as I recall, the cross of Jesus is mentioned a few times.
2007-10-26 01:17:25 · answer #7 · answered by 2 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jesus. Look, I'm an atheist, but even I'll defend the Catholics here, as much as I like to see Christians fight amongst themselves. I was raised Catholic, and it's just a form of commemoration. It's a reminder of the (ridiculous) concept of the Trinity, etc. Not everything in the world has to derive directly from the Bible. I'm sure your particular cult of Christianity does things that have no direct precedent in the Bible either. And remember, snake-handling and poison-drinking IS Biblical.
2007-10-26 01:14:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 6⤋
Like most things in churches it has nothing to do with the bible.
2007-10-26 01:13:38 · answer #9 · answered by an-noy 4 · 3⤊ 4⤋
only one place in the bible mentions up and down to and fro.
you may find it interesting
Job Chap 1
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
Jon Jon guess you think we live in old testament times.
Let me see you handle snakes or drink poison. you will find out what dispensation is then
2007-10-26 01:12:04 · answer #10 · answered by jesussaves 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋