Spiritual Forum. Org

I was asked recently why, as a spiritual counselor and ordained minister, do I not wear a cross as a sign of my Christianity. It was assumed that it was due to my more Gnostic beliefs. I told the person that it had nothing to do with my Gnostic beliefs but in fact had to do with my beliefs on the views that certain Christians take to Christ's life. To me wearing the cross is a two fold issue. The first part of that fold is that the cross was used by the Romans as an implement of murder. The second part of that fold is that to use the symbol of the murder instrument used upon Christ (for me personally) is personifying how Christ died not how he lived. Therefore based on those two things I refuse to wear a cross. This lead to an in depth discussion on the views of Christ and his life. I was wondering what some others views are. Do you celebrate his life or how do you proclaim how he died only?

I guess I choose, as a Christian, to view it as letting myself speak for the person I am and the belief I have. I try to celebrate and dwell on the teachings, how he lived, etc. I hear how he died to often from fellow ministers. Hearing them use it as almost a guilt trip for their congregation. Though true that Christ died for our sins I would rather uphold what he did during life. Have people follow by example rather than feel guilted into faith.

I really don't think it is a requirement to wear a cross, whether you are a minister or not. According to society, we follow man-made rules and apparently many ministers wear crosses and so we just go along with what everyone else is doing. I don't recall anywhere in the Bible where people must wear crosses if they are a Christian/Catholic etc. If so, please let me know where you see that in the Bible! It has been my experience that the cross represents what Jesus did for us on the cross. It is a reminder that he paid for our sins and that he gives us grace. If he never died on the cross then we could never repent for our sins. That in itself is a celebration! Just praying frequently and thanking him for everything are my ways of celebrating Jesus. Unfortunately, I don't go to church anymore, but I do believe that is an extension of celebrating and connecting with Jesus in an extraordinary way( I really need to go to church!)

This is an interesting personal view of the symbolism behind the cross.  I look at the cross as a representation of the way Jesus died for my sins.  The only way to salvation was through the cross and while it may represent His death it also represents His victory over death.