Why don't some Protestants like the cross?

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I don’t get the point that Protestants don’t like the cross. As the Filipino living here in my country where there are growing number of non-Catholic sects, most of ex-Catholics once they are converted they throw out crosses and other images in response to their conversion to Protestantism.

For the Baptists I was debated with, CROSS IS A SATANIC SYMBOL. For them, it is associated with death and horror.

But that’s their belief. As a Filipino Roman Catholic Christian, I believe that those who hates the cross are the REAL SATANIC. For even St. Paul confesses in his writings and even the Early Church Fathers recognizes the power of the cross to destroy the works of EVIL. 👍
 
rafael_vicho said:
I don’t get the point that Protestants don’t like the cross. As the Filipino living here in my country where there are growing number of non-Catholic sects, most of ex-Catholics once they are converted they throw out crosses and other images in response to their conversion to Protestantism.

For the Baptists I was debated with, CROSS IS A SATANIC SYMBOL. For them, it is associated with death and horror.

But that’s their belief. As a Filipino Roman Catholic Christian, I believe that those who hates the cross are the REAL SATANIC. For even St. Paul confesses in his writings and even the Early Church Fathers recognizes the power of the cross to destroy the works of EVIL. 👍
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The thing that everyone should keep in mind is that it is not the physical representation of the cross, or crucifix that is either a blessing or curse; good or evil. It is the feeling and belief that are attached to them by the individual.

Jesus calls us to a spirituality; a holiness that transends the need for physical affectations. That is why the Early Church did not require Gentiles to obey the Law of Moses when they converted. The Holiness that we are called to is a true union with our God and our Savior. On in which His Will and Love is aloso our will and love. This is what we should aspire to pray for and work toward.

Physical representations of any kind, be they statues, crosses, rosaries, or whatever are mearly tools that many of us use to focus our thoughts during prayer or remind us of our goals during the day. They can/are also be used as banners for processions. A way for us to physically follow and demonstrate our love of God and his providence. If the object becomes more than a mere symbol, if we begin to project our adoration onto the object instead of God, then we have stepped over the line into idolatry.

James
 
rmcmullan said:
I did not go see that movie–I avoid R movies but too many times I have seen or heard people enthusiastically reliving the crucifiction. Empassioned talks, in this case a movie, so called “inspirational” talks. I could never understand it. It still creeps me out.

What really annoys me about all this, besides its creepiness, is that His suffering in Gethsemane is rarely touched upon or explained. The thing about the atonement, the Mediator between God and Man. The tie back into the Garden of Eden to the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Everything reduced to a mindless gorefest (in the case of the movie).
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Hello, rmcmullan. Glad to meet you!

Um… if I may respond to a point that you made about too many times seeing or hearing people relive the crucifixion. You have a good point about it creeping you out.

Anybody being crucified creeps me out, too… and crucifixions still go on in the world.

Though, without having actually attended a screening (I wouldn’t say “watch” because it’s really not a matter of sitting in a seat and watching) of the movie – The Passion of The Christ - you couldn’t possibly after all, know exactly what the movie really WAS.

It wasn’t like watching people on a roller coaster. It was more BEING on the roller-coaster, itself. That’s the best analogy I can make of what it was, for me.

It was in reality a VISCERAL experience… not just a head, mind entertainment of ANY kind. Nobody I know, even me, who had actually attended a screening was un-moved to their gut in a way that words just simply cannot describe.

This movie brought me SO MUCH closer to my Lord and Savior than I ever thought could even be possible.

NOT a “gore fest” in the least. The violence in this movie has real MEANING.

Besides, there isn’t even any blood until halfway through the movie. And, most of all, His total love for me (and everyone) is clearly in ways that words cannot explain shown.

This movie is not about R-rated violence or “gore fest.” It’s ALL about Total and Complete and Perfect love God has for me… and for you… and for everyone.

I’m trying to describe an experience that is somewhat indescribable. You just have to see it.

Hope this helps your understanding for what this movie really IS.

The ressurection scene at the end is, well, AWESOME! Worth staying through the entire movie.

Thanks for listening. :o :rolleyes:
 
  1. there is nothing wrong with having a crucifix - the incarnation allows for this and therefore there is no worry about it being an idol or image that violates the commandment
  2. It would be silly to imply that any Catholic does not understand the Risen Christ or denies the ressurection. - Likewise a bare cross is no proof of ones belief in the ressurection either. Proof they believe there were crosses, but beyond that one must guess since there is no Christ on it to witness to others why you wear a bare cross. It is safe to say that will be assumed, but lots of people were crucifyed, so why not make it clear who we stand for?
  3. We can unite our sufferings with Christ’s so there is no shame in seeing the suffering Christ endured. It is for me, helpful in contemplating how Jesus Christ shared in our humanity- and gives me much hope that through this act of love, I can share in his divinity one day
    I dont mind critics telling me I should not have a crucifix or wear one.
    I mind if they tell me I am wrong for doing so.
 
Am I reading this right that there are actually people who don’t like the Cross in general? I’ve just always seen the Cross (with or without Christ on it) as the universal symbol of Christianity. There are many depictions of a plain Cross, and they’re all recognized as being Christian symbols.
 
THutch04 said:
Am I reading this right that there are actually people who don’t like the Cross in general? I’ve just always seen the Cross (with or without Christ on it) as the universal symbol of Christianity. There are many depictions of a plain Cross, and they’re all recognized as being Christian symbols.
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Some do not like the upside down cross. Calling it a Satanic Symbol.

It is how Peter chose to be crucifyed, according to Sacred Tradition.
 
I have a friend whose mother is Protestant (Salvation Army) and who detests the Crucifix. Ruth told me that it isn’t right to watch Jesus on the Cross, it is too heartbreaking as he is our brother and died for us, so she does not like Crucifixes. She said that she can’t understand why us Catholics would look at Jesus in pain on the Cross and that it is just too much to bear.

Mind you this lady also has guides, believes in tarot cards, crystals, mediums etc… and all new age stuff, but she loves JESUS CHRIST she said and knows he died for OUR sins. 🤷 :confused: 🤷 :confused:

She believes in God, Jesus Christ and the Bible amongst her other beliefs… Each to their own i suppose…
 
THutch04 said:
Am I reading this right that there are actually people who don’t like the Cross in general? I’ve just always seen the Cross (with or without Christ on it) as the universal symbol of Christianity. There are many depictions of a plain Cross, and they’re all recognized as being Christian symbols.
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Actually, there really are people who don’t like the Cross in general.

Especially because it’s a sign of the Christian faith. With or without Jesus’ body on it.

Some folks wear crosses on necklaces as a fashion item. They just like the shape.

Go figger… 🤷
 
Tweety said:
I have a friend whose mother is Protestant (Salvation Army) and who detests the Crucifix. Ruth told me that it isn’t right to watch Jesus on the Cross, it is too heartbreaking as he is our brother and died for us, so she does not like Crucifixes. She said that she can’t understand why us Catholics would look at Jesus in pain on the Cross and that it is just too much to bear.

Mind you this lady also has guides, believes in tarot cards, crystals, mediums etc… and all new age stuff, but she loves JESUS CHRIST she said and knows he died for OUR sins. 🤷 :confused: 🤷 :confused:

She believes in God, Jesus Christ and the Bible amongst her other beliefs… Each to their own i suppose…
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Let’s all pray for this lady. She’s… at least… confused. At worst, under attack. :signofcross: :gopray:
 
The power of the Cross that Paul talks about…Where are our Bible-believing separated brethren when we need them? 😛
 
What it seems to me, is that what eludes protestants where the crucifix is concerned…is what it really stands for.

Aside from the enormous pain and suffering that Christ went through in dieing for our sins…what it reminds protestants of is that it, Christ’s death on a cross was a “work” of sorts. It was a human act of self-sacrifice for others. This tends to run contrary to the “BK” feel good theology of the OSAS feel good crowd and those that literally refuse to obey the words of Christ. They want but to focus on the “feel good” side, never being reminded of the immense sacrifice that was made for them…beyond “lip service”.

There is far more to being a “Christian” or true believer in our God. Being a Catholic, and understanding all that goes with it means more than arrogantly believing that you are “saved” just because… Why? Because we realize that there are responsibilities that come with our beliefs… like the “works” that go with our beliefs…that prove our faith is “alive” and well!!

There are those that swear that “Sola Scriptura” is what its all about…yet they absolutely refuse to embrace the Bible in its entirety. Many totally and abjectly refuse to abide by the Epistle of James…and where other books of the Bible are concerned, they “prioritize” them by assigning points of “validity” to them, as if it was within their ken to do so…

Ignorance is bliss, and if you ignore something enough, you don’t have to bother to believe it…thats how they do it, and thats why they object.
 
THutch04 said:
Am I reading this right that there are actually people who don’t like the Cross in general? I’ve just always seen the Cross (with or without Christ on it) as the universal symbol of Christianity. There are many depictions of a plain Cross, and they’re all recognized as being Christian symbols.
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I’m afraid there are some Protestants who are against the symbol of the cross because they believe a man who wrote a poorly-researched book on the supposed history of Christianity that said the ancient Babylonians used it to mean something else. That’s the thing about basic geometric figues. They can mean different things in different cultures. :rotfl:
 
Tweety said:
I have a friend whose mother is Protestant (Salvation Army) and who detests the Crucifix. Ruth told me that it isn’t right to watch Jesus on the Cross, it is too heartbreaking as he is our brother and died for us, so she does not like Crucifixes. She said that she can’t understand why us Catholics would look at Jesus in pain on the Cross and that it is just too much to bear.

Mind you this lady also has guides, believes in tarot cards, crystals, mediums etc… and all new age stuff, but she loves JESUS CHRIST she said and knows he died for OUR sins. 🤷 :confused: 🤷 :confused:

She believes in God, Jesus Christ and the Bible amongst her other beliefs… Each to their own i suppose…
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VeronicaAnne said:
Let’s all pray for this lady. She’s… at least… confused. At worst, under attack. :signofcross: :gopray:
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Definitely confused…:eek: .I can’t imagine what the Salvationists think of all this. I expect they are praying for her, too…which is, indeed, what she needs…:gopray2:
 
In our church (a Catholic one), we have the risen Christ in front, behind the altar, a small crucifix above the tabernacle (off to the side, move in the early '70’s I’m told), and a v large crucifix right above the choir loft. As I’m an accompanist, it’s nearly right above my head! I get a real good view of it.

Now, it seems to me that it’d make more sense to have the risen Jesus (in robes, with hands pointing down, outstretched) at the back, over the choir loft. It would symbolize we have just entered the Passion with Him in the Holy Mass, & upon leaving, recall also that He rose & still lives. I know it won’t get changed, but I can dream.

As far as the original question, I’ll have to bring that up with my dh; he converted 2 yrs ago, was raised in an evangelical type non-denom. church (I mean, ecclesial community). He’s a big fan of Pop B16, has been reading his books & liking them immensely!

Blessings to all,
Mimi
 
Does anyone know if the OP meant to say crucifix instead of cross? It would make a lot more sense to me!
 
RobHom said:
What it seems to me, is that what eludes protestants where the crucifix is concerned…is what it really stands for.

Aside from the enormous pain and suffering that Christ went through in dieing for our sins…what it reminds protestants of is that it, Christ’s death on a cross was a “work” of sorts. It was a human act of self-sacrifice for others. This tends to run contrary to the “BK” feel good theology of the OSAS feel good crowd and those that literally refuse to obey the words of Christ. They want but to focus on the “feel good” side, never being reminded of the immense sacrifice that was made for them…beyond “lip service”.

There is far more to being a “Christian” or true believer in our God. Being a Catholic, and understanding all that goes with it means more than arrogantly believing that you are “saved” just because… Why? Because we realize that there are responsibilities that come with our beliefs… like the “works” that go with our beliefs…that prove our faith is “alive” and well!!

There are those that swear that “Sola Scriptura” is what its all about…yet they absolutely refuse to embrace the Bible in its entirety. Many totally and abjectly refuse to abide by the Epistle of James…and where other books of the Bible are concerned, they “prioritize” them by assigning points of “validity” to them, as if it was within their ken to do so…

Ignorance is bliss, and if you ignore something enough, you don’t have to bother to believe it…thats how they do it, and thats why they object.
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I think the question that needs to be asked is why do Catholics think that protestant don’t like the cross? Some of the ideas that I have read in this thread that supposedly Protestants don’t value the pain and sorrow of Christ on the cross, or embarassed by it, or just don’t like to deal with the reality of the sacrifice, and that Christ accomplished a great work for our redemption on it, that protestants don’t understand while grace is freely given that it isn’t free and was very costly to God – these views that some seem to think are found within and held be protestants are completely outside of the reality that I have experienced as a protestant for the last 51 years. I find it incredible that you find any protestant who doesn’t like the cross. I can only guess that you and I are living in totally different worlds, for the view you project on to protestants is not mine, that of my congregation, nor any other protestant I know. I’m not going to deny that you have had some of these experiences, but I can’t believe that they in any way, shape or form, come even close to representing the norm within protestantism. They ring about as true for me, as when some protestant asks, “Why do Catholics worship the Virgin Mary?”, would ring true for you. In other words, it is a question that begins with a false premise, and therefore cannot actually be answered because doing so implies as true something that is actually false.
 
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