@mike69 saidBut what do you think of this..?
@medullah
On the subject of wearing crosses I look at it this way (watch the pelters fly lol). If your best friend were killed by a guy with submachine gun, you wouldn’t wear a scaled down image of a submachine gun around your neck from that day onwards would you? So why would you wear a cross bearing in mind it’s pagan origins?
Do you honestly think that’s an even comparison or even a logical one? Also what I said above.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
It seems that he was talking about the cross as symbolic for the Christian religion prior to himself even being crucified.
@philokalia saidI did say what I think if you read back when asking what was thought about my wedding ring being a symbol of the 3 strands wrapped together and the other examples. I think this explains how I feel.
But what do you think of this..?
[quote]Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit thei ...[text shortened]... alking about the cross as symbolic for the Christian religion prior to himself even being crucified.
@mike69 saidOof, sorry, I can't seem to find the post.
I did say what I think if you read back when asking what was thought about my wedding ring being a symbol of the 3 strands wrapped together and the other examples. I think this explains how I feel.
@mike69 saidDoing things contrary to the teachings of the bible helps someone to be saved?
@medullah
The scriptures are quite clear about bowing before crosses and images of Mary etc. It’s forbidden as has already been said. I think that you’ll find that Mormons don’t do crosses or pagan imagery either, although their interpretation on adultery is interesting.
I agree about praying to saints, Mary etc., I need a little more clarity from you on your insight abou ...[text shortened]... ng and choosing for yourself what’s correct or not. BTW i don’t wear anything now or am I Catholic.
@philokalia saidMy point was that you missed the point Jesus was making. You are placing undue emphasis on the symbol rather than what the symbol symbolizes. Jesus preached to many thousands and not once did he mention his death and resurrection. A private conversation with Thomas to believe that he rose from the dead does not constitute a teaching of Christ.
You totally missed what I said & reinterpreted it in an asinine way.
I stated:Christ Predicted this and used it as a symbol of what we must do as Christians:
... Which means it makes sense as a Christian symbol, not that you gain merit by wearing a cross.
What do you mean... He did not tell people to believe in His Crucifixion? I suppos ...[text shortened]... e. Stop doubting and believe.”[/quote]
Christ is telling St. Thomas to not doubt His Crucifixion.
@kevin-eleven saidWhich of these, do you think, is why I wear a cross?
Hmm. Hadn't thought of it that way.
In America I think some Christians wear a cross to keep the gays away.
Or maybe "I'm Christian, therefore special."
Or "I'm Christian -- please don't hurt me."
Or "I'm a Republican."
🤷🏻♂️
@fmf saidIt's not about "paganism".
The JWs here have always rejected the trappings of paganism that were adopted by Christianity. This was never an element of JW dogma [hardle "a particularly ridiculous" one] that I remember anyone here seriously objecting to, least of all divegeester. The doctrinal disagreements lay elsewhere, as you well know.
Talk about missing the point.