If christ was hung rather than crucified would believers worship a noose rather than a cross?
2007-12-01 03:54:50 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Many likely would. However, there are many Christian churches who glory in his triumph over death, yet don't display the instrument of his execution.
To paint it in another light, would Martin Luther King Jr. want to be symbolized by a smoking 30.06 rifle, or remembered for his speeches and actions? I think it's obvious.
2007-12-01 04:02:10 · answer #1 · answered by Sir Network 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The cross was actually a pre-christian symbol used in pagan philosophies. The crucifixion of Jesus was a parable meant to illustrate certain spiritual truths taught in the "Mystery Religions" of that time. The whole story was basically created in an attempt to introduce these philosophies into Judaism. They used crucifixion as a symbol in their parables because it was a form of execution at that time and the cross-shape could be easily related to certain ideas that they wanted to teach.
Unfortunately, the story, which was meant to be taken purely as a parable, was eventually taken literally. This probably occurred because the Mystery Religions introduced new members into the faith via parables. The meanings behind the parables were only explained later as the believer progressed.
Apparently, some group of novice believers were introduced to the very first part of the teachings but then didn't receive the explanations. Perhaps their teacher died from a sudden illness or was killed as a blasphemer by Jews. At any rate, the misunderstood parable eventually grew into today's Christianity.
So, the Christians aren't really wearing the cross because Jesus was crucified. They are wearing a cross because pagan philosophers used the cross as a symbol in their teaching. However, the Christians don't realize this is the case.
2007-12-01 12:12:31 · answer #2 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Practically all religious symbology has pagan origins from the cross, fish symbol, inverted dove, to the star of David.
From a Biblical standpoint the only symbol would be the seven candle Menorah.
It is interesting that if Jesus died by a guillotine would people be wearing gold plated guillotines? The fact that "the cross" is so glorified is rather repulsive.
We are to remember the Messiah in His death for us and glorify Him, not the instrument of His death.
2007-12-02 01:32:36 · answer #3 · answered by dlc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Excellent question. Perhaps the Egyptian god Aton was hung, and that is why the ankh is in the shape of an upside down noose. Christians thought that pain is important, and hanging is too quick, and so converted the ankh into a cross.
2007-12-01 12:50:21 · answer #4 · answered by Fred 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like your play on words. ;-) But you have to realize that Christian don't worship the cross. It's only a symbol for what Christ was killed on. But also, if he WAS hung... Christians would have a noose on their necklaces rather than a cross if that's what you're talking about.
2007-12-01 12:01:14 · answer #5 · answered by pale_maiden45 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
We do not worship a cross, we worship the Christ on the cross, and His completed work in death, burial and resurrecction. We use the symbol as a reminder of our need for Christ and the sacrifice He gave upon the cross. I would assume if it were another instrument of death, it would have been incorporated into Christian symbology.
Ath
2007-12-01 11:58:34 · answer #6 · answered by athanasius was right 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sure, the noose would be a symbol for the atonement. Why not?
Not "worship" of course, but you knew that.
(Though the cross wasn't used, I believe, until after the last people who'd seen real crucifixions were dead.)
2007-12-01 11:59:38 · answer #7 · answered by bonitakale 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
True Christians do not worship the cross, they use it as a symbol of remembrance of what Christ did for us all when he died on the cross for the world’s sins.
Hope it Helps
2007-12-01 16:07:01 · answer #8 · answered by compkid 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cross wasn't introduced as a "happy" symbol of northern Christianity until Rome became Christian in the 4th century. Previous to that, it was only mentioned as a symbol of rebellion against the Roman leadership that put Jesus to death. An adaptation of the Egyptian Ankh (symbol of life) was used in Egyptian Christianity in the 2nd century CE similar to a cross (Osiris' Tau--half of the complete Ankh). The largest number of Christians in the 3rd and 4th centuries were in Rome's army (the easiest way for a poor person to become a Roman citizen). The Roman army had used the symbol of the cross from its inception because it was the symbol of Mars (Ares), God of War. During the Jewish revolt of 67 CE, the Roman army that marched into Jerusalem, burned the temple down, and killed Jew and Christian alike, were "bearing their crosses before them." The earliest symbol used in northern (Greek and Roman) Christianity was actually the pentagram, to symbolize both the star of Bethlehem and also the five wounds of Christ during crucifixion.
2007-12-01 12:16:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
~~~ mok ,,,, In theory, yes,,, and the noose would be replete with the accompnaying Symbolic Metaphor just as the christian cross is a plagiarized and an amalgamated version of The Tree of Knowledge(same one from Eden) and The Tree of Life(Everlasting). Check with your Occidental & Oriental Mythology and compare christian iconography and allegory. ~ Namaste`
2007-12-01 14:19:27 · answer #10 · answered by Sensei TeAloha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christ WAS hung,...on a cross. The cross is not worshipped,Christ is...
If Christ had been hanged,with a rope,by His neck,until dead,could you possibly ask a more stupid question in an attempt to highlight your ignorance and stupidity?
2007-12-01 12:07:25 · answer #11 · answered by STORMY 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋