Catholics: Is it time to take Jesus off the cross?
By paxmundi
@paxmundi (80)
Philippines
October 17, 2007 3:27am CST
I am a Catholic and proud of it! But sometimes I can't help think about with open-mindedness the views of other Christian faiths. Take for example the crucifix and our so-call "idolatry". I have defended in many occasions the reason why Catholics worship in front of an image of Christ on the cross. I would give the usual explanation that Catholics do not worship the image or the statue but the person the image represents. That the image only serves to remind us of the sacrifice of the man it emulates. Just as a picture of your mother that you probably cherish is not your mother but reminds you of she whom you love. Fine. If that is the case then this is my question to other Catholics. Will it shake your faith if Jesus is taken off the cross? In other words we would be worshiping in front of an empty cross. Would Jesus be less real to you if His image was not on the cross? Will your faith be lessened if there was no image of Christ on the cross?
For me the answer is "no". What about you?
1 person likes this
14 responses
@post4jesus (97)
• Hungary
17 Oct 07
It all depends on what is in your heart: do you love Jesus, I mean really love him from the bottom of your heart. If you really love Him and He is very special to your heart, then it does not matter, whether there is a statue on the cross or nor, or whatever you do to express your love for Him, because it is your intention that matters really.
1 person likes this
@shinobi (389)
• Philippines
17 Oct 07
Once in my life I had the same question as you did. My open-mindedness however forced me to listen to other Christian faith. The question is- Am I really worshiping the person that the image represent? If I do not worship the image itself, why do we offer prayers, flowers, candles and other things which we do not practice with the picture or image of our loved ones? These are the questions that I have had that time. Do some research if I might suggest, as I did. Have a good day.
@luzamper (1357)
• Philippines
17 Oct 07
God said Himself that He is a jealous God and He forbids any graven image - image of anything under heaven, anything under earth, and anything in the waters. The image in the crucifix is not actually the image of the Lord Jesus as there was not a camera before and no painting was done and the apron of Veronica is not in the Bible. So who are we looking at? Whose image is that? You saw your mother, but suppose somebody would insist that such image is that of your mother when such image is not actually her image. Will you agree that such image which is not her image is her image?
@islandrose (686)
• Philippines
17 Oct 07
Hi Pax!
I am a Catholic too and am not touch if Jesus is taken off from the cross. For me the cross without Him symbolizes my relationship with men & other creatures of God (the horizontal line) as a must so that I could link to my God (the vertical line. If He is present as the Crucified One, that means for me as: encountering difficulties, problems, trials in my life are requirements for me to be able to come near to my God.
@alexigne (903)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Carry Your Cross
Guys you might want to check it out maybe it can help you to decide about your opinion... Go back to me if you really insist with that or you change your mind... I will respect your opinion too..
http://www.hubpages.com/hub/carryyourcross
or
http://www.hubpages.com/hub/HBDCGPI
@xbeniciox (13)
• Philippines
16 Nov 07
Once a criminal is to be punished, in the time of Jesus, Romans hang them in the cross to die.
If it happened in the Philippines,
Would your faith be shaken if Jesus sits naked in an electric chair?
I say, NO. but My faith to the salvation of the people who'd worship photos and jesus in elecrtic chair would be shaken.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
8 Dec 07
The "Empty Cross" is also a Catholic symbol. But, there is none so moving as a well made crucifix. A Crucifix brings me to Contrition with a heart rendering sorrow, more quickly and fully than any other image. The Crucifix tells a story as well. A very important story.
no, I will not willingly give up the Corpus Cristi nor the image of the Body of Christ on the Cross.
@blueinferno2001 (100)
• Indonesia
2 Dec 07
me? no. i can pray in front of a Jesus cross, empty cross or a tiny rosary cross which face is hardly recognizable. coz He's in my heart (clap...clap..)...but sometimes physical figures help too..
what about Jesus taken off the cross? better not, coz some people might get confused whether it's Jesus' cross or the other villains' crucifixed beside Jesus, haha.. :)
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
18 Oct 07
If you have a deep faith, with or without Jesus on the cross, you will still believes on HIM and everything HE can do for us. As you've said, these icons and images are mere representations. It has nothing nor direct effects on someones faith. It is just a reminder. Not the basis of one's faith.
@owatagoosiam (751)
• United States
28 Nov 07
Well, it was an awkward moment when my daughter first noticed the man hanging from the cross. "People weren't nice to him." Kind of didn't feel like explaining the whole story.
Yes, the bible talks against Idolatry. The church tends to define this as worshiping the statue. I doubt the ancients believed that the statue was their god, rather that the statue represented their god. After all, the statue didn't move, did it? Anyway, the church makes this distinction to justify stained glass, crosses, and statues.
