Why are Protestants opposed to Crucifixes?

[qui_est_ce]

I was raised Catholic, but converted to the Baptist faith 5 years ago. Protestants (at least in our church) believe in the resurrected Lord… thus the empty cross. No more… no less… no deep meaning… just the way it is.
So respect it as we respect your beliefs.

It troubles me that some of you in this forum are acting in a manner that was a contributing factor in my leaving the Catholic faith. Obviously some of you have never bothered to crack a Bible open and read this passage. 1st Peter 3:15-16 states:

Dear Lost Again,

Welcome to the Forum. Once you read a few threads, you will find many well-infomred Catholics who know their Bibles.

As for the eating together and stuff in our assembly halls…

As Baptists (protestants) we are deeply commited to “fellowship” with each other. Something that I was never taught as a Catholic. In all my years as a Catholic all I ever heard was “Lets go to Father so-and-so’s service because he says a quick Mass”. Going to church was a chore, an obligation to be completed to avoid Hell… and I hated every minute of it.

There are many in my parish who feel the same as you about going to mass. They “try to get out of a mass.” I don’t understand, I try to go whenever I can. Tonight we are having a spaghetter dinner at church. Then we are having a dynamic speaker, Hector Molina. He calls himself an “arsonist for Jesus.” Every night of the week, every meeting room, cafeteria, teacher’s lounge is booked: Bible Studay, RCIA, Catholic Book Club, Christ Renews His Parish meetings. (we are a small parish of 1,200 families). Yet I still hear some say we are not welcoming enough. We have some of the longest homilies in the area, and we LOVE it. There will always be those who don’t want to be involved, come in late, leave early. I don’t know why they even bother. But I have to believe they are there for a reason, and they will get something out of it. There will always be disagreements, but as Catholics, we have the Eucharist to bind us together.

I hope when the emotion of your new experience wears off, you will realize what a beautiful, mysterious, loving Eucharist you left behind when you left the CC.

I consider myself to be in a unique position as someone who knows both side of the fence. Believe me… there is a lot of stupidity on both sides… If ALL Christians spent one tenth of the time worrying about the incursion of the Muslims into our society, and serving the non-believers out there as we do over petty squabbles like this one, the world would be a much better place.

I think you will find a thread about that under “nonCatholic Religions”

Keep coming back, you will be amazed at what you learn here.

God’s Peace…
P.S. Your name, Lost_Again, intrigues me. Why are you lost again.

 

[Lost_Again]

Dear Lost Again,

Welcome to the Forum. Once you read a few threads, you will find many well-infomred Catholics who know their Bibles. There are many in my parish who feel the same as you about going to mass. They “try to get out of a mass.” I don’t understand, I try to go whenever I can. Tonight we are having a spaghetter dinner at church. We have some of the longest homilies in the area, and we LOVE it. There will always be disagreements, but as Catholics, we have the Eucharist to bind us together.

I hope when the emotion of your new experience wears off, you will realize what a beautiful, mysterious, loving Eucharist you left behind when you left the CC.

I think you will find a thread about that under “nonCatholic Religions”

Keep coming back, you will be amazed at what you learn here.

God’s Peace…
P.S. Your name, Lost_Again, intrigues me. Why are you lost again.

Chris,

I’ve been lost…been found (Born Again) and now find myself somewhat “lost” like I’m caught between two faiths. (Thus “Lost-Again”.
I left the church for many reasons most of which had to do with the church’s focus on finances. They always seemed more concerend about fundraisers than they were about spreading God’s word. When I was a prominent business person who was in a position to do things for the church, everyone wanted to know me. When I lost my job and couldn’t pull strings for the church it was “Greg Who?”. I really didn’t think that was very “Christ like”.

What I can say about my present church is that it has opened a totally new world for me through the scriptures. Something we were never encouraged to do. I’m 53 yrs old and the kind of catholicism we were raised with looked at the bible as something for priests (not us) to be concerned about. Nowadays…The more I read the Bible, the more things I see wrong with the Catholic church. Its just my two cents but I really don’t believe that Christ wanted BIG cathedrals (Protestant or Catholic). I believe in what the early church was… small groups of people worshipping God and looking out for each other.

Our church is only about 500 families. When someone is sick or in need people help each other out. Thats what Christ was trying to teach us…
What did I get when I lost my job and we attended a catholic church? Harassment calls at home about paying my kids tuition… Can you understand now why I feel the way I do?

My generation suffers heavily from what my family members (all practicing catholics by the way) call “Catholic guilt complex”. We weren’t supposed to “enjoy” church. We were also taught not to question why things are the way they are in the church. In other words you were always made to feel guilty about something… even if you hadn’t done anything.

I am so happy to hear that things are not that way in your church.

Your brother in Christ,

GT

 

[qui_est_ce]

Chris,

I’ve been lost…been found (Born Again) and now find myself somewhat “lost” like I’m caught between two faiths. (Thus “Lost-Again”.
I left the church for many reasons most of which had to do with the church’s focus on finances. They always seemed more concerend about fundraisers than they were about spreading God’s word. When I was a prominent business person who was in a position to do things for the church, everyone wanted to know me. When I lost my job and couldn’t pull strings for the church it was “Greg Who?”. I really didn’t think that was very “Christ like”.

Well, money is important to run a ministry. I am sorry about your experience. I, like you am (will be next month) 53. When I lost my job 3 1/2 years ago, I would have had a nervous breakdown without the support of my parish. I just happened to have been signed of for a Christ Renews His Parish Week-end, and was fretting about how I would have time to spend a whole week-end at Church. I am a single mom with two kids - teens at the time. God gave me all the time in the world. I lost my job a week before the week-end. After the week-end, an intense 6 months of formation follows, and we put on a week-end for the next group of ladies. God took care of me, and He gave me my parish as a visible sign of His love for me.

What I can say about my present church is that it has opened a totally new world for me through the scriptures. Something we were never encouraged to do. I’m 53 yrs old and the kind of catholicism we were raised with looked at the bible as something for priests (not us) to be concerned about. Nowadays…The more I read the Bible, the more things I see wrong with the Catholic church.

And the more I read the Bible, the more I see the roots of the Catholic Church in it. It is after all the Church who gave us the Bible. Compiled it and preserved it physically, and spiritually without error. Life is a journey, my world gets opened in fits and spurts.

Its just my two cents but I really don’t believe that Christ wanted BIG cathedrals (Protestant or Catholic). I believe in what the early church was… small groups of people worshipping God and looking out for each other.

The mustard seed has sprouted and grown branches where the birds of the air can nest. Without the CC, we would never have the charitable outreach, St. Patrick’s center, Mother Teresa, etc.

Our church is only about 500 families. When someone is sick or in need people help each other out. Thats what Christ was trying to teach us…
What did I get when I lost my job and we attended a catholic church? Harassment calls at home about paying my kids tuition… Can you understand now why I feel the way I do?

Unfortunately, there are probably parishes like that around, but that does not negate the Truth of the teachings of the CC.

My generation suffers heavily from what my family members (all practicing catholics by the way) call “Catholic guilt complex”. We weren’t supposed to “enjoy” church. We were also taught not to question why things are the way they are in the church. In other words you were always made to feel guilty about something… even if you hadn’t done anything.

I am so happy to hear that things are not that way in your church.

Your brother in Christ,

GT

Your parish is what you make it, especially the prayer part. You have to go to mass often, and pray, pray, pray, then get involved. It was not easy for me, being divorced with a chip on my shoulder, but I did. Tonight I just got back home from a spaghetti dinner (free) at the parish. Parishioners brought side salads and desserts. Hector Molina from the Archdiocesan office of the New Evangelization talked to us. WOW, he is a dynamic lay preacher. You know how many people showed up? 100. That’s it. Am I going to worry about the 1,500 who didn’t? The ones who don’t show up are the ones who whine about everything, choir, (but they don’t join), state of disrepair of buildings, but they never come on “church clean up day.” They don’t feel welcomed, yet won’t join welcome committee. Do they bother me? NO. I love my parish. I love my Holy Catholic Church. I love the holy Eucharist.

I understand, now, how you feel about being caught between two faiths.

I hope you will keep coming back to the forum. I learn a lot from people with your experiences.

 

[Lost_Again]

Well, money is important to run a ministry. I am sorry about your experience.

Agreed… but as I have learned in our church you can’t have ALL of your focus on money… God will provide if its what he wants for his church.

I, like you am (will be next month) 53. When I lost my job 3 1/2 years ago, I would have had a nervous breakdown without the support of my parish.

First, Happy Birthday!
Second, again am so glad that your church seems to have what it takes. My wife is disabled and if not for the love of God and our church I probably would have lost my mind as well.

And the more I read the Bible, the more I see the roots of the Catholic Church in it. It is after all the Church who gave us the Bible. Compiled it and preserved it physically, and spiritually without error.

I won’t argue that but only because I am an ex-catholic. There are many in my church who do not want to acknowledge that the CC had anything to do with anything. I got into a few “heated Discussions” at first when they tried to say that the CC cannot really trace an apostolic root all the way to Peter. Actually its kind of funny because our services seem to take a lot (in a roundabout way) from a catholic mass. I mean procedurally…

The point I was trying to make about reading the bible and the CC is that for example… The celibacy of priests…
I always had a problem seeking marriage counseling from someone who has no idea what being married is all about. Yet when I started researching (On this website) why priests are celibate, I found that this is only practiced in the Latin rite.

I guess what bothers many (me included) is the church’s inability to admit that they’ve made some mistakes. Please tell me if my research is wrong but other than 1 Corinthians 7, where Paul actually endorses celibacy for those capable of it: and some other vague references, I haven’t found anything other than CC teachings that says that a priest has to be celibate.

I know some truly, God fearing inspired men who would make great priests if not for the celibacy issue.

Without the CC, we would never have the charitable outreach, St. Patrick’s center, Mother Teresa, etc. Unfortunately, there are probably parishes like that around, but that does not negate the Truth of the teachings of the CC.

See thats where I have a problem? Plenty of “reformist” Christian churches throughout the centuries have had ministries as effective as anything that Mother Teresa (rest her soul) has done. And What “truths” do you speak of?

Your parish is what you make it, especially the prayer part. You have to go to mass often, and pray, pray, pray, then get involved.
The ones who don’t show up are the ones who whine about everything, choir, (but they don’t join), state of disrepair of buildings, but they never come on “church clean up day.” They don’t feel welcomed, yet won’t join welcome committee. Do they bother me? NO. I love my parish.

Agree with you 100% on that one… we have people like that as well.

I hope you will keep coming back to the forum. I learn a lot from people with your experiences.

And I hope we can continue the conversation… I am enjoying chatting with you especially.

 

[justinthemartyr]

In John 12:32-33 Jesus said that He would draw all men unto Himself through His being lifted up from the earth, the way in which He would die.

How can He draw all men unto Himself through His crucifixion if they cannot see it?

 

[Lost_Again]

In John 12:32-33 Jesus said that He would draw all men unto Himself through His being lifted up from the earth, the way in which He would die.

How can He draw all men unto Himself through His crucifixion if they cannot see it?

And… So what…
John 20:29

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah…

Do we have to resort to “scripture wars”

Lets just agree that both protestants and Catholics agree in a Risen Lord

Your Brother in Christ

 

[Metaron]

…we shouldn’t blame the Pope for Archbishop Feeney, should we?

Who’s this Archbishop Feeney, anyway?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Who’s this Archbishop Feeney, anyway?

Father Feeney with two posthumous promotions.

If you are not familiar with the name there have been a couple of threads, at least, on him or try Google for more than you will ever want to know about him.

 

[Metaron]

Father Feeney with two posthumous promotions.

If you are not familiar with the name there have been a couple of threads, at least, on him or try Google for more than you will ever want to know about him.

I guess he was, a sort of firebrand… :coffeeread:

 

[justinthemartyr]

And… So what…
John 20:29

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah…

Do we have to resort to “scripture wars”

Lets just agree that both protestants and Catholics agree in a Risen Lord

Your Brother in Christ

This has nothing to do with Jesus being risen. Jesus not being on a cross for our viewing has NOTHING to do with His being risen, for He did not rise from a cross, he rose from a tomb. So if you want to depict His victory over death, please do it with a sculpture of an empty tomb.

Jesus died on the cross and His Mother, the mother of God and the few disciples took him down. He did not rise from the cross, he died on it.

 

[qui_est_ce]

And… So what…
John 20:29

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah-nyah…

Do we have to resort to “scripture wars”

I hate verse slinging too.

Can’t get the original post, but it’s below. Celibacy is a tradition (small t) not a doctrine. That’s one I leave to the Church, not sure how effective a priest a married man could be. Divorce, remarriage, women chasing the priest. Just seems too weird to fathom a married priest. There are some, though, in the Western Rite. (extraordinary) I can’t imagine our priests having time for a family. They are married to the parish. Our pastor said celibacy was a big stumbling block for him. It comes down to giving up your whole life for the Church. That’s why I believe in supporting them and praying for them. Some priests have made huge mistakes, but they are not representative of the faithful and dedicated majority.

I’m not sure to which mistakes you are referring when you say CC won’t admit its mistakes. Were they in matters of faith and morals? or corrupt Popes? We have certainly had our share of immoral priests and Popes.

Ha ha about Baptists not know where the Bible came from. What do they think? Have they ever told you? I have heard from Baptists on this Forum that Baptists wrote the Bible. But they “throw the rock,” and never come back to answer.

 

[Brian_C]

Lost Again,

I respect what you’re saying but please be aware there are several of us on here with the same experience or (in my personal situation) vice versa who’ve come from the Baptist (or at least other protestant) faith and have a particular insight. One thing you should have picked up by now in the Baptist faith is that there is no coherent policy toward many Catholic devotions and practices. What one preacher thinks is blasphemous another might think more tolerable or at least provide another explanation for why Baptists don’t endorse it. So please be tolerant of other posters views on here. You just don’t know WHAT their religious experience may be.

 

[Lost_Again]

Lost Again,

I respect what you’re saying but please be aware there are several of us on here with the same experience or (in my personal situation) vice versa who’ve come from the Baptist (or at least other protestant) faith and have a particular insight. One thing you should have picked up by now in the Baptist faith is that there is no coherent policy toward many Catholic devotions and practices. What one preacher thinks is blasphemous another might think more tolerable or at least provide another explanation for why Baptists don’t endorse it. So please be tolerant of other posters views on here. You just don’t know WHAT their religious experience may be.

Ummm Look…
If anyone on here knows how “VARIED” Baptist beliefs are about Catholics its me…
I had a “Baptist” as a father in law that swore till the day he died that the reason the Pope wore a mitre was to hide the devils horns. He also told my wife that if she married me (when I was a catholic) that she was condeming herself to hell.
Trust me I know how varied the Baptist views are…
As for being “Tolerant” I feel I’ve been a lot more tolerant than most of the posts I’ve seen on here. You don’t know me one bit or what I’ve been through. May I suggest that you save your “advice” until you’ve heard my whole story?

 

[Jennifer123]

Many of my Protestant friends say “but, he is not ON the cross anymore! He is risen”

I think it started by Reformers just not wanting to be “Romish”.

I had an ex-Catholic tell me that she never knew Jesus as a Catholic, that she would just pray that He would come down off the cross and save her. She realized as a Protestant that Jesus is risen and not on that cross anymore, just like you said. I don’t think this is uncommon.

 

[Brian_C]

Ummm Look…
If anyone on here knows how “VARIED” Baptist beliefs are about Catholics its me…
I had a “Baptist” as a father in law that swore till the day he died that the reason the Pope wore a mitre was to hide the devils horns. He also told my wife that if she married me (when I was a catholic) that she was condeming herself to hell.
Trust me I know how varied the Baptist views are…
As for being “Tolerant” I feel I’ve been a lot more tolerant than most of the posts I’ve seen on here. You don’t know me one bit or what I’ve been through. May I suggest that you save your “advice” until you’ve heard my whole story?

Please take no ill will from my previous post. I am not a party to any other debates/criticisms against you in this thread. I am merely pointing out that there are several of us on here in the “unique position” to give both sides of the story.

 

[pismopal]

Actually the answer is simple, it’s because wearing a crucifix is and always has been a Catholic custom. The protestant practise seems to be to move away from the Catholic position and then form a theological reason for the move.
That wasn’t complicated was it?

 

[Steadfast]

Actually the answer is simple, it’s because wearing a crucifix is and always has been a Catholic custom. The protestant practise seems to be to move away from the Catholic position and then form a theological reason for the move.
That wasn’t complicated was it?

For those Protestants who eschew the crucifix (i.e. most except for many Lutherans and Anglicans), I think you’re right.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Actually the answer is simple, it’s because wearing a crucifix is and always has been a Catholic custom. The protestant practise seems to be to move away from the Catholic position and then form a theological reason for the move.
That wasn’t complicated was it?

I think the question has been answered. Many Protestants do have a Crucifix. No Protestant here has denied salvation by the Cross. Most prefer to focus on the Resurrection, but not because they are afraid of the Cross. Anymore is really speculation and projecting stabs as to motivation. I hope this is not what the OP intended.

I personally am wearing a cross sans corpus. My son gave it to me, it means a lot to me. (Don’t tell him, but I wish it did have a corpus)!

I have seen gang members and foul-mouthed rappers with huge gold crucifixes on. And then there’s Madonna.

Lost_Again, I hope to see you on other threads!

Peace