crucifix ?

Question

I have a brother that even though we were rasied catholic has decided to go with another religion. Which is fine with me, however when he comes to my home he nags me about my crucifix. I actually have a wall in my home that I have started decorating with all different types of crucifix.

He agrues Jesus isn't on the cross anymore. Wants me to have crosses but not a crucifix.

My question is I don't want to defend my religion, I just don't want to argue. What in the most simple words can I say why I choose to have crucifix instead of a simple cross.

Answer 1

I sometimes have to explain this to people with no Catholic (or traditional Lutheran in my case) background. Your case is a little tougher, because he *should* already know this stuff. But I'll give you my take on it anyway, in case it's helpful. I know it's not as simple as you're looking for, but it sounds like he's completely bought into Protestant thinking, so it might take a little more.

*Of course* Jesus is no longer on the cross: I receive His living body and blood every time I receive Holy Communion. Why do I need an empty cross to remind me of that?

What I really need is to be reminded of Jesus on the cross. I need to be reminded of His humanity. I need to be reminded of the wounds He suffered for me. I need to be reminded of the death He died for me.

I need to be reminded of that sacrifice which, though it was completed nearly two thousand years ago, is still made present today--the sacrifice that has saved me, continues to save me, and will save me for all eternity.

Though Christ's death would be nothing without His resurrection, even so His resurrection, and through Him my hope for resurrection, are made possible by His death. Therefore when I meditate on the crucifix I remember with both sorrow and joy the price He paid so that I could be with Him.

Answer 2

Say... let's talk about it and first agree that it is OK at the end to disagree. Defend your religion don't be a wimp! We have to many of those and ask him to defend his. That way you can both see the others view point. Just caving in or yelling at him won't do anything! Tell him you want to talk about it next time he brings it up and to bring his arguements the time after that when he comes over and you two can debate it.... with the first one to run out of arguements, insult or get mad buying a big dinner out!

Jesus died on the cross and the image of a man hanging from that cross is a reminder of the suffering and the sacrafice, the empty one is also a symbol of that and the fact he was buried and rose again.

The important things are believe in God, Jesus as Lord, repent of sins, salvation and Grace from God... and the relationship with your brother in that order.

God Bless
Todd

Answer 3

Do whatever you want. He has no right to tell you how to worship or what to believe. Besides, crucifixes are cool.

I'm an atheist, but I still get pissed when I hear about anybody being told what to do when it comes to something as personal as religion. All because he went to some church when the lead holy guy said "Jesus isn't on the cross anymore! He's risen! But the Catholics..."

Answer 4

Tell him that you have the crucifix there to remind you of what Jesus was willing to do for you, and to remind you to give Him things in return. Jesus was willing to go through a LOT of pain for us. Although crosses are good, they just cannot remind us as well of Jesus' suffering and love.

Answer 5

I believe that jesus died to save me. i see the crucifix as the greatest symbol of Love and divine concern for us.
Tell him to read Exodus 25

If your brother does not like how you decorate your house ask him if he wants you to nag him about what he has on his walls.
Funda prots. can be so rude and self-righteous...but we Catholics,never, of course! LOL

Answer 6

Just tell him that a cross would have no significance at all if it wasn't for Jesus, who died on it, and that's when the primary work of our redemption took place.

Not before. Not after.

By comparison, the resurrection was only a "bonus".

If he understood that, he wouldn't be wasting his time elsewhere.

Answer 7

If your religion is in the crucifix, your brother is right because we are to have no graven images. The crucifix, to many people, is the same as the images worshiped around the world.

At the time of Jesus' death, the cross was the most detested of all symbols. It would never have been something the disciples would have had in their homes. Nor would they have had any other of the symbols (idols) that we have today.

Answer 8

I hear this argument all the time, it's so lame. The cross serves as a reminder of Gods forgiveness and sacrafice. What difference does it make if Jesus is on it or not? He did die on it? That was the event that marked the cross as a symbol of christian faith? Wouldn't having him on it only reinforce the concept and emotional attachment for what it stands for.

Answer 9

It is a symbol of your belief that jesus died on the cross to forgive your sins. A simple cross does not represent this sacrifice.

Answer 10

You say: This is my home and I do not feel like having to defend my choice of decor to anyone. If you don't like them, then don't hang them in your house, but don't tell me what to hang in mine!

While I think that discussions about religions and other beliefs can be beneficial, him telling you "what kind" of cross to put on your wall is petty. I don't believe in crucifix's (or Christianity) but I would NEVER tell my mom or sister to take theirs down! That's plain disrespectful.