Why don't non-Catholic Christians make the Sign of the Cross? Or, do they?

[MelanieAnne]

Most of them do. The majority of non-Catholic Christians belong to Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, all of whom make the Sign of the Cross (albeit using a slightly different technique than Catholics do). Many Anglicans, Lutherans and other protestants also do it.

Good point.

It’s been my experience that many Americans tend to project their experience to the world at large, thinking it to be representative when it often is not. (People elsewhere may do so also, but my experience is with those among whom I live, so I can only share my own experience.)

As a result, if their experience does not include learning that the vast majority of Christians in the world are not Protestants, that there are many other non-Catholic Christians that share many prayers and practices with Catholics, then such persons will tend to view such things as the sign of the cross as an exclusively “Catholic” thing.

Even the word “Orthodox” can be misleading for some. Just as an example, I have many met Mormons whose only experience and understanding of “Orthodox” was in connection with Orthodox Jews. They had no idea there were Orthodox Christians. I don’t say this to slam anyone, I’m just reporting my experience with a large group of members of another faith tradition. One of the people in that group of Mormons sincerely thought that genuflecting was making the sign of the cross. I let this person know what genuflecting actually was. These things, of course, are simply an indication that the individuals involved never had the occasion to learn about the existence or practices of a faith other than their own.

For me, much more problematic are those Protestants that know so little about Christianity and the origins of their own faith that they believe Catholics are not Christian at all. I confess I have no patience with such persons. If someone doesn’t even know about their OWN faith that they have that level of bigotry, I just can’t listen to them.

What I think we all need to keep in mind that there are many people out there in the world who are very sincere about their faith but who are, for whatever reason, not as curious about the theology and rituals of other faiths as we are. We can’t assume that they know things that are outside their experience and we need to take this into account when assessing questions like these. Ignorance is generally far easier to forgive than bigotry.

 

[rev_kevin]

I don’t see a problem with making the sign of the cross. If it is your custom or tradition then do so. But presonally I don’t see the need to make the sign of the cross.

 

[Rightlydivide]

Because I personally in my opinion its your right to do so and no one should flame me for giving my opinion when specifically asked…find it pretentious and drawing attention to yourself. Of course I think that about several things, not just this. Since you asked…

 

[Petergee]

I’m thinking that perhaps the reason many Protestants do not use it is because it was thrown out with all the other outward symbols of Catholicism, like the statues of Saints and Mary, the rosary and other stuff that they deemed to be tilting towards paganism—or simply because, since Catholics did it and they were no longer Catholics, then they wouldn’t.

But protestants, retained many, many other things that Catholics do and many of the they still retain to this day. That doesn’t explain why they arbitrarily decided to get rid of the SotC. I can’t see how it could be construed as “tilting towards paganism”. I have seen protestant “explanations” why they reject saints, the rosary etc but rejecting the SotC has me puzzled.

 

[JonNC]

Because I personally in my opinion its your right to do so and no one should flame me for giving my opinion when specifically asked…find it pretentious and drawing attention to yourself. Of course I think that about several things, not just this. Since you asked…

Maybe like shouting “Amen” during the sermon, or waving one’s hands in the air?
I’m not comfortable with these two, but I wouldn’t consider them pretentious or attention-drawing if they are the typical practice within a faith community.
Now, if I were to shout out “Amen” during the sermon, that would be attention-drawing. lol

I would suggest that in a churchwhere many people cross themselves, no one notices who does and doesn’t.
Jon
Jon

 

[Petergee]

Good point.

It’s been my experience that many Americans tend to project their experience to the world at large, thinking it to be representative when it often is not. (People elsewhere may do so also, but my experience is with those among whom I live, so I can only share my own experience.)

As a result, if their experience does not include learning that the vast majority of Christians in the world are not Protestants, that there are many other non-Catholic Christians that share many prayers and practices with Catholics, then such persons will tend to view such things as the sign of the cross as an exclusively “Catholic” thing.

Even the word “Orthodox” can be misleading for some. Just as an example, I have many met Mormons whose only experience and understanding of “Orthodox” was in connection with Orthodox Jews. They had no idea there were Orthodox Christians. I don’t say this to slam anyone, I’m just reporting my experience with a large group of members of another faith tradition. One of the people in that group of Mormons sincerely thought that genuflecting was making the sign of the cross. I let this person know what genuflecting actually was. These things, of course, are simply an indication that the individuals involved never had the occasion to learn about the existence or practices of a faith other than their own.

For me, much more problematic are those Protestants that know so little about Christianity and the origins of their own faith that they believe Catholics are not Christian at all. I confess I have no patience with such persons. If someone doesn’t even know about their OWN faith that they have that level of bigotry, I just can’t listen to them.

What I think we all need to keep in mind that there are many people out there in the world who are very sincere about their faith but who are, for whatever reason, not as curious about the theology and rituals of other faiths as we are. We can’t assume that they know things that are outside their experience and we need to take this into account when assessing questions like these. Ignorance is generally far easier to forgive than bigotry.

So true Melanie. I have said the same thing, though less eloquently than you, and the reply has been that “this is an American site” and so what the rest of the world does doesn’t matter, and that the large minority of non-Americans who post here are here only under sufferance and have to conform to whatever Americans tell them to do or say. Very sad.

 

[Petergee]

Because I personally in my opinion its your right to do so and no one should flame me for giving my opinion when specifically asked…find it pretentious and drawing attention to yourself. Of course I think that about several things, not just this. Since you asked…

I wonder what you think of “altar calls”, of “personal testimonies”, of asking stangers in the street “Are you saved?”, or of announcing when winning any minor award for sport or similar frivolous activities “I’d like to thank the Lord God Who made me win”?

 

[dianaiad]

But protestants, retained many, many other things that Catholics do and many of the they still retain to this day. That doesn’t explain why they arbitrarily decided to get rid of the SotC. I can’t see how it could be construed as “tilting towards paganism”. I have seen protestant “explanations” why they reject saints, the rosary etc but rejecting the SotC has me puzzled.

Please note: I didn’t claim that the choice of what to leave and what to retain was LOGICAL.

 

[Nicea325]

Absolutely. If people take that line of reasoning too far, they’ll be forced to give up air conditioning and indoor plumbing in their churches.

That is true.

 

[Hesychios]

Here in China I do it frequently, it does get attention. Generally when I eat in restaurants and when I am making my silent prayers in the park or on long bus rides.

I cross myself in the Greek fashion, from right to left, but it does not matter, it is a sign of my Faith.

Among other things I also wear a Jerusalem cross on my lapel, people ask me about it frequently. This is a very respectful and curious country, but largely atheistic (it would be correct to say this is a “post Buddhist” society , temple worship flourishes in Hong Kong but not generally elsewhere). Many think Christianity is quaint and largely a superstition so they need more examples of Christians living out their faith as Christians. That means when one lives in a proper manner and does nice things one doesn’t want to be mistaken for a ‘nice atheist’ or a ‘nice Muslim’. We don’t wear towels on our heads to set us apart , so manifesting the cross is important.

"… Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds."
Francis of Assisi Rule of 1221, cap XVII

 

[eureka525]

Hm… In my Presbyterian church no one has ever crossed themselves but no one has ever expressed an opinion against it either. I suppose it was just lost along the way and I agree with some of the other posters that it was probably something that became seen as “Catholic” and the Protestant churches simply wanted to distance themselves a bit more.

That being said, just a few days ago, after spending some time reflecting on the new information about the Church I’ve learned over the last weeks and finding great peace in this new knowledge, I took a moment to make the sign of the cross for the first time since my childhood. I don’t think I can really explain it but in that moment I was overcome by a wonderful feeling of serenity and satisfaction that I haven’t felt in a very, very long time.

And rightlydivide, it was just for me, not to draw attention to myself…

Anyway, I don’t know specifically why many non-Catholics let this symbol fade from their practices over the years but I certainly think it can be a beautiful thing and I don’t know of anyone in my church who would outwardly object to it.

 

[Rightlydivide]

I wonder what you think of “altar calls”, of “personal testimonies”, of asking stangers in the street “Are you saved?”, or of announcing when winning any minor award for sport or similar frivolous activities “I’d like to thank the Lord God Who made me win”?

I do not believe I have ever heard the exact phrase “God made me win”. I have heard I would like to think God etc etc. Maybe it was a cricket game (thus the minor comment) or a lesser known sport where that terminology is used…I can also summise you might not be a sports fan. I do admit that is had been awhile since I saw such acknowledgement at a Spelling Bee. I am not sure why that would be the case. As such I cannot say too much about that…although I would like to see a Calvinist acknowledge that their loss was foreordained…
Altar calls is not a term found in scripture, we do not use that term.
Personal testimonies are biblical along the line of the unstructured setting described in Paul letter to Corinth specifically in the context of his warnings about the misuse of spiritual gifts.
Are you saved would be poor apologetics and personal evangelism without a rapport established.
Thanks for caring about my opinion so much. I am flattered.

 

[Rightlydivide]

Maybe like shouting “Amen” during the sermon, or waving one’s hands in the air?
I’m not comfortable with these two, but I wouldn’t consider them pretentious or attention-drawing if they are the typical practice within a faith community.
Now, if I were to shout out “Amen” during the sermon, that would be attention-drawing. lol

I would suggest that in a churchwhere many people cross themselves, no one notices who does and doesn’t.
Jon
Jon

Many of your comments presuppose a church setting…not an explicit part of the OP in my reading although perhaps intended as such. Because I do not go to a CAtholic church, I see Catholics crossing themselves when discussing things, coming across an accident, etc.

 

[Petergee]

Here in China I do it frequently, it does get attention. Generally when I eat in restaurants and when I am making my silent prayers in the park or on long bus rides.

I cross myself in the Greek fashion, from right to left, but it does not matter, it is a sign of my Faith.

Among other things I also wear a Jerusalem cross on my lapel, people ask me about it frequently. This is a very respectful and curious country, but largely atheistic (it would be correct to say this is a “post Buddhist” society , temple worship flourishes in Hong Kong but not generally elsewhere). Many think Christianity is quaint and largely a superstition so they need more examples of Christians living out their faith as Christians. That means when one lives in a proper manner and does nice things one doesn’t want to be mistaken for a ‘nice atheist’ or a ‘nice Muslim’. We don’t wear towels on our heads to set us apart , so manifesting the cross is important.

That’s true but maybe it’s easier in a “post-Buddhist” country than in a “post-Christian” country where many people are openly hostile to Catholicism on the slightest pretext.
Far from “drawing attention to oneself”, my parents taught me that if I had to make the SotC in public, say in a restaurant, I should do so as inconspicuously as possible, say by facing a wall and or by doing it in a very small cross, even just a little cross over my lips, to avoid getting an anti-Catholic comment from fellow diners, or even an anti-Catholic waiter doing something nasty to my meal.

I don’t know how anyone can look into another person’s soul enough to claim that he is being “pretentious” by making the SotC.

 

[Petergee]

I do not believe I have ever heard the exact phrase “God made me win”.

Certyainly that is then intended meaning. Sorry I didn’t think ahead to write down the exact wording for you on each occasion but one I heard recently was “God powered my arm”.

Maybe it was a cricket game (thus the minor comment) or a lesser known sport where that terminology is used.

Actually cricket is one of the few sports where I have not heard this. At least a few things are still sacred.

I can also summise you might not be a sports fan. I do admit that is had been awhile since I saw such acknowledgement at a Spelling Bee.

Hey I love sport as much as the next guy, but I don’t really think God cares to much whether a particular person/team wins a sport event or an acting/singing award or other such things which are trivial in His eternal plan.

Altar calls is not a term found in scripture, we do not use that term.
Personal testimonies are biblical along the line of the unstructured setting described in Paul letter to Corinth specifically in the context of his warnings about the misuse of spiritual gifts.
Are you saved would be poor apologetics and personal evangelism without a rapport established.
Thanks for caring about my opinion so much. I am flattered.

I wasn’t asking whether your particular denomination uses them, more wondering for those that you think are unbiblical, pretentious and drawing attention to oneself, whether you go onto websites run by denominations which do them and tell them this.

Anyway the Bible has quite a lot to say about how important the Sign of the Cross is.

 

[Petergee]

Many of your comments presuppose a church setting…not an explicit part of the OP in my reading although perhaps intended as such. Because I do not go to a CAtholic church, I see Catholics crossing themselves when discussing things, coming across an accident, etc.

We were taught when coming across an accident to say a prayer for the injured person/s. And we are taught to begin and end all our prayers with the sign of the Cross. I have never seen a Catholic just randomly make a Sign of the Cross during casual conversation, but some people make a SotC when they mention the Devil or some terrible calamity.

 

[MelanieAnne]

Hey I love sport as much as the next guy, but I don’t really think God cares to much whether a particular person/team wins a sport event or an acting/singing award or other such things which are trivial in His eternal plan.

Absolutely! We here in the US know this has to be true every time Notre Dame loses!
(and my Mormon friends make a similar assertion when BYU loses!)

Bottom line: I may care about football, but obviously God does not!

 

[Hesychios]

That’s true but maybe it’s easier in a “post-Buddhist” country than in a “post-Christian” country where many people are openly hostile to Catholicism on the slightest pretext.
Far from “drawing attention to oneself”, my parents taught me that if I had to make the SotC in public, say in a restaurant, I should do so as inconspicuously as possible, say by facing a wall and or by doing it in a very small cross, even just a little cross over my lips, to avoid getting an anti-Catholic comment from fellow diners, or even an anti-Catholic waiter doing something nasty to my meal.

I don’t know how anyone can look into another person’s soul enough to claim that he is being “pretentious” by making the SotC.

In Chicago I would make the sign very much the same way, unless I thought there might be an adverse reaction.

I can remember doing so in a fast food restaurant and one of the young employees saw me (I assume he was a Catholic, I know he was Mexican) gave me a big thumbs up . I didn’t think anyone would have noticed, as I never actually want to make a big display but I just don’t go to great lengths to hide it, it’s for me more than anything else.

Back in Chicagoland I can recall once seeing a whole family (probably five people) saying a blessing and crossing themselves in a restaurant, and I was impressed! I wish that the practice was so commonplace that I would not be able to recall that one incident or those very people specifically, but the sad fact is it is not a common sight and when someone does this kind of thing it strikes one as exceptional.

I think Buddhism in America gets cut a lot of slack because people respect it, and see it as a harmless oddity as well as a cultural relic that perhaps should be preserved. The formerly dominant Christianity does not, it is taken for granted and even ridiculed. Christians in China seem to get a similar regard, while the once firmly entrenched Daoist and Buddhist traditions are taken for granted and casually dismissed.

 

[Petergee]

Good for you, Hesychios. I guess I should try to have a bit more courage about this. Perhaps Australia has gone even further than the US in being now so secularised and “post/anti-Christianised” that often even something as obviously harmless and everyday as saying this simplest of Christian prayers/devotions, or saying grace before and after a meal, is seen as making a political statement and/or asking for an argument! I know St Peter says we must always be prepared to make a defence of our faith, but sometimes I just want to have lunch in peace!

 

[Lutheranteach]

If I have any problem with it at all it’s that it becomes such an automatic thing that there is no thought to it and it’s not meant as any sign of reverence but merely a mindless habit — especially in sports. I have a hard time seeing it a reverent sign when a ball player crosses himself and then immediately adjusts his cup, tightens his batting gloves and steps back into the batter’s box after each pitch.