Why do Christians love crosses so much?

Think about it, if Jesus comes back, do you think he'll ever want to see a cross again?

well, really, you don't expect them to lug on around on their backs now do ya???

For me personally.. the cross represents what He did for me.... and that helps me to try live my life closer to Him... and have my life be less about me.. and more about others.

I do not wear crosses, but that is what the cross represents to me.

A significant part of the reformation was a rejection of dogmatic religious symbolism. I would highly recommend the film Luther with Joseph Fiennes.

Generally speaking, though, I think modern-day Christians wear the cross as a way to co-opt it away from its original meaning and intent. Where it was once a symbol of fear and torture, it is now a symbol of triumph.

Christ and the supposed two theives were not the only people ever crucified. Thousands of individuals died in this brutal way at the hands of the Roman Empire. I rather liken wearing a cross to wearing a syringe (lethal injection), a noose, or any other instrument of capital punishment. It is, to me, odd. But then, I am not a christian, so who am I to judge.

The Cross is a symbol of the pain Jesus suffered for me, you, and the rest of the world. Jesus died on the cross for your sins. He died for you.


Blurb:
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Jesus Took Our Sins on the Cross The death of Jesus on the cross was mandated by God and necessary if all mankind were to be able to achieve forgiveness for our sins. Galations 3:13 tells us that we are redeemed from the curse of the law, becoming a curse for us since "cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree", as Jesus did as He hung on the cross, dying in our place, for our sins. As our sacrifice Jesus was the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. Our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus if we will trust His sacrifice and believe that He took our sins upon Himself on the cross. (I Peter 2:21-25). While on the cross Jesus reminded His followers that He could call a legion (6,000) angels to rescue Him from this agonizing death on the cross. Jesus refused to be rescued. Jesus submitted to the will of the Father, God, for the sake of mankind, that we could have redemption from sin for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Name and in His blood that was shed for us. There is salvation only in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12).

Its a symbol of God. In 312 AD, right before a major battle, Jesus appeared to Emperor Constantine in a dream, giving him a sign that he will be victorious. That sign was the Cross. He won the battle and Constantine looked upon Jesus as the deliverer of victory. Constantine ended the persecution of Christians by issuing the Edict of Milan, which ordered the people to live peacefully with Christians in the Roman Empire. Thus began the spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire.

Its Easter Time... Don't you pagans have some false gods to worship or something?

On a related note, why do members of the KKK burn crosses? I never got that connection between racism, religion, and fire.

~Ulrika~

:blinks.

You didn't just try to burn pagans while bringing up Easter, did you? Alby, you're smarter than that.

I don't get that either Ulrika. That is disgusting as is everything that the KKK represents.

Note to self... I agreed with Ulrika today... the end of the world must be near.

Careful Alby.. your christianity is showing

The Klan is on par with Al Qaeda, Hamas, and others... They are radicals who twist religion to support their belief. They are all religion Hijackers. So don't waste your time wondering the logical meaning behind the KKK burning crosses. Because most likely, its origins can be traced back to some fool who came up with the idea.

I recall some documentry about the Klan which discussed that issue and the Klansman said something about lighting the cross to help Jesus find his way through the darkness. Some garbage. hehehe


All you need to worry about Ulrika is living up to John 3:16.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Ever wonder why it'd called "Easter" ?

Personally, I do not wear a cross, I do however wear a decending dove necklace that I have had for a very long time. It represents the Holy Spirit decending upon Jesus when John the Baptist baptised Him. It is an symbol that means that the Holy Spirit has decended upon and is living inside of me too.

I do believe that crosses have become too much of an accessory now days and have lost much of the meaning to those who wear them. When I see one it reminds me of how much God loves me. I see Jesus hanging there on the cross for me and it reminds me that it was my sins that put Him there.

I also see it as a symbol of the risen Christ, that He rose from the dead, ascended to Heaven and is there now preparing a place for me.

The KKK burn crosses as some sort of perverted "cleansing" ritual. It harkens back to an old Scottish tradition (which had nothing to do with racism, so don't Scottish-flame me)

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_196.html

Ecellent point Taco, but one that I am afraid is lost here.

Religion hijackers.. there is irony for you.

Symbols should only be used by people when the symbol had meaning to them. I have a yellow ribbon on my car, not because I think George Bush is a great leader or that I support his decision to invade Iraq. It's there to show my support for the soldiers who are bravely working to serve our country.

If the cross doesn't represent anything meaningful to you, you shouldn't use it as a symbol. I find Christ's sacrifice to be a very signifigant part of my life...so that's what the cross represents to me.

One big problem with symbols is that it might mean something to you that is totally different than it means to others. To non-Christians, the cross can be seen to represent oppression and high-mindedness. I've known people who get repulsed by the very sight of a cross. And it was daytime, so keep your snark to yourself.

My question would be: Why is there a problem with the symbol of the cross? People need to realize my symbolism does not have to be your symbolism....any more than my religion has to be your religion.

Seems the movie "The Passion of the Christ" was trying to sell little iron nails on a leather string. Not sure if those ever got popular.

-Blueman

The cross represents the ultimate sacrifice that He made for undeserving people. It represents real love.
It reminds us there is someone greater than us who loves us unselfishly even to a torturous death.

Hee! Those have been around for a lot longer than Mel's movie...I think they're kinda kule, myself. I have a little one I sometimes wear 'round my neck.

As there seem to be a few American Christians in this thread I have a question for them. I've heard alot about the popularity of the idea of the rapture in the US and the notion that it is coming within this gereration. In your experience just how widespread is this belief and its implications that one doesn't have to worry about the environment/future generations because armageddon is going to make it all a moot point?

Biblically it is impossible to tell when it will happen. One of the points of Paul's teachings is that you need to live your life, that is how you handle yourself morally, as if Christ's return could happen any minute, which is accurate.

Growing up in the 70's and 80's in the wake of the cold war and a persistent threat of nuclear war, the rapture was an oft touted solution to the chaos. Many believed -- and still do believe -- that the rapture would/will occur within our lifetime. In my experience, the rapture was described as the very literal return of Christ, at which time believers would be caught up with him into heaven. Non-believers would be "left behind" to endure a period of tribulation. Since then, I've been exposed to all sorts of eschatological theories, including one from a Messianic Jewish sect that doesn't believe in a literal rapture, at all.

To more directly answer your question, at least back then and among my own circle of friends, there was in fact a sort of a free-for-all attitude. Kind of a "live while you can" mentality. I don't believe that is so much the case today, especially among younger folks. Nonetheless, such an attitude does run counter to the concept of stewardship as outlined in the Bible, which I think touches on the underlying question you are posing.

Suddenly.... all Christian avi's go AFK.