| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,939,437
|
Article: 8188
[Culture]
Date Posted:
10/11/2003
10:15:21 am EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 6,338
RSS: 0
Comments: 11
|
Cross Mania
Author: The Star Online Source: The Star Online (Malaysia)
Title: CROSS MANIA
Today, most associate the cross with the crucifix (containing the figure of Jesus Christ) but few are aware the cross is an ancient symbol that appeared thousand of years before the birth of the savior.
Variations of the cross are found in almost all religions except for Islam and Judaism. Ironically, early Christians avoided using the cross as a sacred symbol as they felt it was akin to symbolically crucifying Christ all over again. As it has crossed the great fashion divide, the cross nowadays is relevant and irreverent as you choose!
One reason why Christianity was so easily and quickly accepted was its holy symbol – the cross. As crosses in various forms were already used by pagan religions, the new icon found ready acceptance by new converts.
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 11 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Symbology | Oct 12th. at 11:16:50 pm EDT |
by Rhymer (Ann Arbor, MI) - wc_xemail
Unfortunately this article does little to tell the stories that other cultures and faiths may have of the cross, prior to Christ's life or for that matter, after...
It would also have been interesting to tease why it evolved from something early Christians did NOT want iconized to being the primary symbology of Christianity.
Judaism and Islam have other primary symbols, the Star of David and the Crescent. They just may not have crosses, whether crucifixes or otherwise, in their symbology otherwise.
For that matter, as has been pointed out perhaps somewhat irreverently, ahem, the cross wouldn't mean anything other than Roman capital punishment without Christ's crucifixion (really, do tell!) Nothing in Judaic mythology irequires the Messiah to die on a cross.
However, given the mode of Christ's death, and the difficulty of symbolizing that sacrament any other way, the cross would be the most inevitable symbol of the central tenet of Christianity, that of God becoming man, assuming his "original sin" dying, and destroying said sin for all time.
With Christians other symbols have arisen. The fish, of course, symbolizing provision. Within the Catholic church the chalice is a very, very powerful symbol, and is technically the focus of the Mass ritual. It actually symbolizes the Man/God persona of Christ and combined with the cross symbolizing the death of sin, as it were, is very potent symbolism indeed. The resurrection, which is arguably itself more symbolic of the results of the crucifixion, than central to the process, may be the hardest part to consistently symbolize itself.
I was immersed in Catholicism for the first 18 years of my life, and get the dosage still at family get togethers. It's an interesting vantage point, though not my chosen one.
For those who have shown concern on this board...No Christians were harmed in the composition of this posting.
|
| Reading From Another Perspective | Oct 11th. at 10:48:26 pm EDT |
by EM (Indy) - wc_xemail
hmmm . . . this would be an interesting article to try this viewpoint exercise on . . .
1. research about the moderate religious or political views of a group, for example moderate Islam, Christianity, politically liberal or conservative, or the group of your choice, do not (at least at first) choose fundementalist viewpoints
2. read the article through the assumed lens of that group's viewpoint
3. look at how this reading compares to yours.
I find that this excercise helps me to understand other viewpoints and to be more tolerant of them.
|
| Gets You Out In The Sun... | Oct 11th. at 9:47:04 pm EDT |
by Rhymer (Ann Arbor, MI) - wc_xemail
Very interesting article. I just wanted to add that as non-symbols crosses came in many forms. The Romans who utilized it as capital punishment just wanted a nasty means of killing criminals.
St. Andrew's cross was an "X" Some crosses had no top piece, were capital T's rather than small t's. St. Peter was crucified upside down.
Brian was crucified in the traditional way. Find More info -- HERE
|
| Symbols, The Cross & Christianity & Christ | Oct 11th. at 9:06:56 pm EDT |
by Peter (San Diego, California) - wc_xemail - Web
As for Wren's original reason for the article link: Yes, the evolution of symbols is very interesting. And it's particularly interesting to note how an espeicially simple symbol like the Cross can be the vehicle of so many different meanings.
As for Christianity ... it would be really interesting if one were able to find or distill out the ORIGINAL teachings of the Rabbi we now call Jesus. I imagine he would be quite comfortable in a gathering of Pagans -- much more so than in a large Church or a political rally. His findamental teaching was the Golden Rule ... the same as was the Buddha and many others.
And Christians -- well it's unfortunate that the loud, "fundamentalist" types get the most press. Most of them are very good people. Many of them even have a Nature/Divinity idea about "God" that is very similar to what we call pantheism. And a large number of them give quite a bit of service to the community through assistance to the old or sick or disadvantaged.
Christianity ... (the real every day mainstream of Christianity, not the fundies) ... is evolving just like the Cross has evolved. Most people no longer look for "God" to be some guy sitting on a cloud with a crown on his head. There will be, over the next 20 years or so, a continued evolution more toward a desire for Spirituality rather than Religion-as-usual.
|
| This Is A Cool Article... | Oct 11th. at 9:06:36 pm EDT |
by Jelly Bean (In a cafe, drinking coffee with chicory and eating beignets...) - wc_xemail
I really like history behind the cross. I have always been fascinated with how certain religious icons came to be so. This goes to show that crosses are not solely a Christian icon...it became so when their messiah was crucified on one, that's all. I don't understand why so many pagans their feathers all ruffled up when anything Christian is presented. Take this article for what it is...a history lesson, no more no less. Take from it what you will and store that little nugget in your brain file for later. One day you may just find use for it.
Blessed Be!
Jelly Bean
|
| Thank You | Oct 11th. at 8:12:41 pm EDT |
by Cheryl (Canada) - wc_xemail
I couldn't have said it better myself.
I personally have come to the realization that the Catholic church and many smaller Christian organizations are needed .... they do many good things for the larger community. They provide health services, shelters, food, counselling, etc for people that wouldn't otherwise receive this help.
Like it or not, the Christian church has been around for a long time and they have the infrastructure to help the needy.
I vaguely recall an article in which a fundie Minister said asked about his thoughts on the Pagan resurgence (in relation to the faith based initiatives by the Bush regime) , and his response was that it wasn't serious because who has ever seen a Pagan sponsored hospital, or Pagan sponsored women's abuse shelters, or Pagan sponsored blah blah blah.
His point was made, and I think he hit the mark. We are small (but admittedly growing) , unorganized (which is why most people are Pagan in the first place) , and have no financial structure to fund the things that the Christians can.
My $0.02
C.
|
| Yet Another.. | Oct 11th. at 7:48:03 pm EDT |
by Josh (Georgia, Usa) - wc_xemail
Yet another news story posted soley for the benifit of the Christian bashers among us. Folks, get off your obbsession with Christianity. If you are a pagan just because you don't want to be Christian, you are in this for the wrong reason. Christianity is just as valid as Wicca, and if you don't believe it, YOU are the intolerant one. It's a two way street folks, you can't yell and scream for acceptance and then take pot-shots at Christians behind their backs. Leave the Christyians alone!
paid for by Pagans for a Less Morally Bankrupt Paganism
WREN: Actually, this article was posted soley because it deals with a symbol and how its meaning, design and use has evolved over time.
|
| You Know.. | Oct 11th. at 6:47:59 pm EDT |
by Nodicia (Portland, OR) - wc_xemail
..I've actually had long discussions about this with my boyfriend, and we've decided that Christianity is a Death Cult. It centers around Death. The main teachings are "Obey these rules, be a good Christian, and when you die, you might get to go to Heaven!"
Are we the only ones who realize how SICK and TWISTED that is? I know most Pagans will jump on me saying it's wrong to bash on Christians, but I'm sorry. I just think their teachings are rather morbid. My religion is a celebration of Life, their's is a of Death, and the unknown and unverifiable rewards that may come after it. If someone wants to be part of the Great Death Cult, coo'. Not for me though. Too creepy.
|
| The Cross And Vodou | Oct 11th. at 5:28:14 pm EDT |
by Endora (da Vodou swamps dawlin' --New Orleans) - wc_xemail
The cross was also adopted by Vodoun as a symbol of the cross roads through which the Lwa and spirits pass. It is also the symbol of Gede--a Lwa in charge of the dead... Also Cher has made it a fashion statement also in her Gothic catalog. Hey--got to give my girl her props!
Blessed Samhain
Blessed Day of the Dead
Ms.E
|
| Christian Symbols | Oct 11th. at 4:32:48 pm EDT |
by Kirk Bailey (Tampa Bay Florida) - wc_xemail
Well, the cross WAS a instrument of slow and painful execution, and he died on it. Had he been HUNG, would they wear rope nooses?
But really, it's quite strange. Look at it for a moment from their point of view. According to the Christian mythos, what was REALLY miraculous (at least in this world) was the part that took place IN THE CAVE. There were PLENTY of people who were executed on a cross, and nothing really spectacular took place while he was up there. What was totally outside the realm or normal reality, completely and totally contrary to natural law, was RISING FROM THE DEAD after being pronounced dead after examination and lying in a cave for nearly 3 days, an impossibility. At least, within the normal order of reality it is impossible. Therefore, a representation of the cave would be much more reasonable than of the gallows.
Yet the choose the symbol of death, not a symbol of overcoming death and of new life.
VERY odd indeed. It implies notions regarding emphasis of the organized movement's intentions and emphasis which do not do it credit. Which is NOT a comment on the old rabbi himself, who would probably not be welcome in any of their houses, let alone their Boardrooms- but would be in our circles, I suspect.
|
| Crosses | Oct 11th. at 3:53:52 pm EDT |
by Owlfeather (Battle Ground, WA) - wc_xemail
It seems to me, crosses were used as capital punishment devices.
An electric chair necklace would make a statement too. Or a guillotine?
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
