Is it ever ok to dispose of a crude religious image?

[SPONP4US]

Ok so almost a year ago I bought a small pewter crucifix off an online market. It looked alot better in the picture, and upon reading more about it , I found out it was baught for a practicing Pagan who no longer had use for it. Since I had been looking for a Crucifix to wear around my neck, having recently (at that time) re-converted.

When this item arrived, it was a very very creepy looking man on a cross, made of pewter and the face and body is … Well primitive to say the least. Of it where a drawn image, a 3 years old would probably have made a better image of Jesus on the cross.
I wish I could upload a photograph, but imagine a silver cross with a four limbed effigy, with a face made of a blob of Pewter, with two eye holes and a hole in the middle (supposed to represent a face) and what can barely be made out to be a human body on a flimsy pewter cross.

My question is, is it ok to dispose of this item? I would probrably ake it to the local recycling centre, and add it to the miscellaneous can, to do, but I kind of also do not like the idea of throwing away any Holy image at all even the worst in decipherable version of a Crucifix I have ever layed eyes on (such as this one)

I have since found another wooden crucifix which depicts our Lord’s crucifixion and have worn it daily since purchasing it so I have no need for the Crucifix described above.

Anyone got an Idea what to do with the former ?

 

[Greenfields]

Has it been blessed ?

 

[BartholomewB]

It’s hard to visualize the crucifix clearly from your description. I’m inclined to say a crucifix is always a crucifix, even if the workmanship isn’t up to standard. Who made it? Could it have been a prisoner, for instance, using the only materials and the only tools that were available to him?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

If you do not like it, simply leave it in the church - perhaps if they have a table for books and pamphlets you could leave it there - and I guarantee someone will need it and perhaps even like it, and take it with them.

People have very, very different tastes in crucifixes and religious art. That is why such a variety is available. Some people like the more primitive depictions because it looks more “handmade” or because it allows them to use their imagination when picturing Jesus.

 

[catholic03]

That’s a great response, @Tis_Bearself

@SPONP4US It is hard to picture this crucifix, but if you do not like it, then please donate it. Do you have St Vincent de Paul op-shops in America? Or leave it at your parish.

 

[catholic03]

Here’s one from the internet

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Some people do like crucifixes that look undesirable to others.

 

[SPONP4US]

No i don’t think so, it was an unwanted gift to someone and I have not had it blessed sacrament nice owning it.

 

[SPONP4US]

Great idea, thanks.

 

[SPONP4US]

I don’t think it was hand made or anything but can’t be sure. That’s a valid point though.

 

[Jen7]

If it’s not blessed I see no reason you can’t just toss it. If that feels wrong maybe bury it like you would for a blessed object. I wouldn’t offload it at church, though - that’s just passing the decision to whomever cleans the church. It sounds ugly and like something no one would want anyway…

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I wouldn’t offload it at church, though - that’s just passing the decision to whomever cleans the church. It sounds ugly and like something no one would want anyway…

A lot of churches do have a giveaway area for small Catholic objects. If it were a large statue or crucifix, it might be a problem, but people bring in little prayer books and holy cards all the time. If too many accumulate, they’re generally packed up and given to some organization that can use them such as the missions, ministries to the poor etc. As for its being ugly, that’s really subjective. I know a lot of people who prefer that style actually.

The only small object I ever saw tossed out was when someone left off a dream catcher. Obviously it was pitched because it wasn’t Catholic and didn’t belong on the table with prayer cards.