Christians: why wear a crucifix?

A question for Christians:

Many years ago an elderly relative gave me a golden cross on a chain

Back then I wasn’t a believer (she assumed I was) but I accepted the gift and kept it in a safe place

It holds sentimental value to me

Fast forward to now: I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour, profess the Nicene Creed and have started going to a Christian church

But I don’t want to wear it for the following reasons:

1. I don’t want to advertise my faith to strangers, for various reasons
2. I believe it would be against Mathew 6:5-6
3. Many people who aren’t Christians wear a cross as a fashion statement; I don’t want people to put me in that category
4. I don’t believe it would offer me protection
5. Shouldn’t Christ be symbolised by his resurrection rather than his death?
6. If your friend got shot dead by a gun would you wear a gun around your neck to remember him by?

I was wondering: Are there any compelling reasons out there as to why I should wear it? I have a kind of feeling that I ought to but my mind is saying “no”

When I was last at church I kept my eyes open for crucifixes and out of around 30 people I couldn’t see anyone wearing one

Does anyone here wear a crucifix? If so, what are your reasons for doing so?

And what do you think of my reasons for not wearing one?

Eddi said:

A question for Christians:

Many years ago an elderly relative gave me a golden cross on a chain

Back then I wasn’t a believer (she assumed I was) but I accepted the gift and kept it in a safe place

It holds sentimental value to me

Fast forward to now: I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour, profess the Nicene Creed and have started going to a Christian church

But I don’t want to wear it for the following reasons:

1. I don’t want to advertise my faith to strangers, for various reasons
2. I believe it would be against Mathew 6:5-6
3. Many people who aren’t Christians wear a cross as a fashion statement; I don’t want people to put me in that category
4. I don’t believe it would offer me protection
5. Shouldn’t Christ be symbolised by his resurrection rather than his death?
6. If your friend got shot dead by a gun would you wear a gun around your neck to remember him by?

I was wondering: Are there any compelling reasons out there as to why I should wear it? I have a kind of feeling that I ought to but my mind is saying “no”

When I was last at church I kept my eyes open for crucifixes and out of around 30 people I couldn’t see anyone wearing one

Does anyone here wear a crucifix? If so, what are your reasons for doing so?

And what do you think of my reasons for not wearing one?

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IMO, these are good questions.

I think it would depend on the person. If a person believes that somehow the cross on the neck creates a protection around them, then it would be wrong for one has given special powers to something man created.

It wouldn't be wrong if one uses it to remind people that someone died on the cross for them. An evangelism tool or a conversational tool.

An empty cross signifies a resurrection.

I'm not sure about the relevance of #6 or its application.

KenS said:

An empty cross signifies a resurrection.

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I didn't know that

The cross I was given is empty

Eddi said:

I didn't know that

The cross I was given is empty

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Certainly wearing it or just keeping it in memory of your relative is not prohibited.

This is where Rom 14 comes into play. There are some things that for one person would be wrong but for another it wouldn't. If your conscience makes you uncomfortable wearing it, I wouldn't wear it.

I think it's just a matter of what one feels comfortable with. I don't wear a cross nor a crucifix, but I would have no problem wearing one if I felt it was important to me.

BTW, normally we use the word "crucifix" in reference to a cross with Jesus displayed on it.

If you decide to wear it I won't be cross with you.

Eddi said:

A question for Christians:

Many years ago an elderly relative gave me a golden cross on a chain

Back then I wasn’t a believer (she assumed I was) but I accepted the gift and kept it in a safe place

It holds sentimental value to me

Fast forward to now: I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour, profess the Nicene Creed and have started going to a Christian church

But I don’t want to wear it for the following reasons:

1. I don’t want to advertise my faith to strangers, for various reasons
2. I believe it would be against Mathew 6:5-6
3. Many people who aren’t Christians wear a cross as a fashion statement; I don’t want people to put me in that category
4. I don’t believe it would offer me protection
5. Shouldn’t Christ be symbolised by his resurrection rather than his death?
6. If your friend got shot dead by a gun would you wear a gun around your neck to remember him by?

I was wondering: Are there any compelling reasons out there as to why I should wear it? I have a kind of feeling that I ought to but my mind is saying “no”

When I was last at church I kept my eyes open for crucifixes and out of around 30 people I couldn’t see anyone wearing one

Does anyone here wear a crucifix? If so, what are your reasons for doing so?

And what do you think of my reasons for not wearing one?

Click to expand...

A crucifix is a bit different from a cross; a crucifix has Jesus still on the cross, suffering for us. The empty cross does not have the figure of Christ upon it.

As to whether one should wear it?

Any symbol means what the person using it thinks it means. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks, just what YOU think.

I do not wear a cross, nor do I display one anywhere in my home. Nor will you find one in the meeting houses of the church I go to, because, well, we agree with your item #'s 5 and 6.

On the other hand, to those Christians who think about it, and to whom the empty cross symbolizes His resurrection, and who wear it to remind themselves and others of who they are and how they should behave? Well, if one thinks of it that way, by all means, wear one. It's a good thing.

the same goes for a crucifix, I think; if wearing one makes one think of the sacrifice and suffering of Christ and what He did for us, then why not wear it?

I too have a cross that was given to me by a very good friend many, many years ago. I even, sometimes, wear it when I remember her and her faith. I wear it to honor her beliefs (she doesn't share mine). Not often, but once in awhile. I generally end up writing her a letter when I see it.

So that cross doesn't remind me of Jesus so much as it reminds me of her...and HER faith in Christ.

OK, so that's a bit complicated, but hey; symbolism is. Complicated, that is.

So....wear it if you think you should and if it doesn't make you uncomfortable, Don't wear it if it does. God doesn't care about the jewelry, I don't think. He cares about you.

Eddi said:

But I don’t want to wear it for the following reasons:

1. I don’t want to advertise my faith to strangers, for various reasons
2. I believe it would be against Mathew 6:5-6
3. Many people who aren’t Christians wear a cross as a fashion statement; I don’t want people to put me in that category
4. I don’t believe it would offer me protection
5. Shouldn’t Christ be symbolised by his resurrection rather than his death?
6. If your friend got shot dead by a gun would you wear a gun around your neck to remember him by?

I was wondering: Are there any compelling reasons out there as to why I should wear it? I have a kind of feeling that I ought to but my mind is saying “no”

Click to expand...

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.' "

A cross necklace might be a reminder for some that they are supposed to deny themselves. Its not a requirement and is not the cross that a Christian takes up, but if someone has a deep commitment then it might be special.

Eddi said:

A question for Christians:

Many years ago an elderly relative gave me a golden cross on a chain

Back then I wasn’t a believer (she assumed I was) but I accepted the gift and kept it in a safe place

It holds sentimental value to me

Fast forward to now: I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour, profess the Nicene Creed and have started going to a Christian church

But I don’t want to wear it for the following reasons:

1. I don’t want to advertise my faith to strangers, for various reasons
2. I believe it would be against Mathew 6:5-6
3. Many people who aren’t Christians wear a cross as a fashion statement; I don’t want people to put me in that category
4. I don’t believe it would offer me protection
5. Shouldn’t Christ be symbolised by his resurrection rather than his death?
6. If your friend got shot dead by a gun would you wear a gun around your neck to remember him by?

I was wondering: Are there any compelling reasons out there as to why I should wear it? I have a kind of feeling that I ought to but my mind is saying “no”

When I was last at church I kept my eyes open for crucifixes and out of around 30 people I couldn’t see anyone wearing one

Does anyone here wear a crucifix? If so, what are your reasons for doing so?

And what do you think of my reasons for not wearing one?

Click to expand...

I have worn a cross since 1959 .. you don't have to show it off. Mine is from Jerusalem.. prettier and finer than the one in the picture.

Eddi said:

A question for Christians:

Many years ago an elderly relative gave me a golden cross on a chain

Back then I wasn’t a believer (she assumed I was) but I accepted the gift and kept it in a safe place

It holds sentimental value to me

Fast forward to now: I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour, profess the Nicene Creed and have started going to a Christian church

But I don’t want to wear it for the following reasons:

1. I don’t want to advertise my faith to strangers, for various reasons
2. I believe it would be against Mathew 6:5-6
3. Many people who aren’t Christians wear a cross as a fashion statement; I don’t want people to put me in that category
4. I don’t believe it would offer me protection
5. Shouldn’t Christ be symbolised by his resurrection rather than his death?
6. If your friend got shot dead by a gun would you wear a gun around your neck to remember him by?

I was wondering: Are there any compelling reasons out there as to why I should wear it? I have a kind of feeling that I ought to but my mind is saying “no”

When I was last at church I kept my eyes open for crucifixes and out of around 30 people I couldn’t see anyone wearing one

Does anyone here wear a crucifix? If so, what are your reasons for doing so?

And what do you think of my reasons for not wearing one?

Click to expand...

I don't have a crucifix, nor do I think I would wear one. A cross is enough as is; wearing a crucifix would bulge out even if you tuck it under your shirt and would probably get uncomfortable. I should note that the traditional practice is for men to tuck their cross into their shirts to not be showy; women don't tuck their crosses in for... Well, anatomical reasons.

Not to mention that a crucifix will probably tarnish easily and require regular, detailed cleaning (this is the reason I wear a cross made out of wood and not the nice sterling silver one which I have).

For me, when I wear my cross I generally find that it constantly reminds me of my identity in Christ, and because of that I am even more mindful of my actions in my day-to-day life, how I speak to people, how easily I get irritated or let any kind of irritation show, etc.

Shiranui117 said:

I don't have a crucifix, nor do I think I would wear one. A cross is enough as is; wearing a crucifix would bulge out even if you tuck it under your shirt and would probably get uncomfortable. I should note that the traditional practice is for men to tuck their cross into their shirts to not be showy; women don't tuck their crosses in for... Well, anatomical reasons.

Not to mention that a crucifix will probably tarnish easily and require regular, detailed cleaning (this is the reason I wear a cross made out of wood and not the nice sterling silver one which I have).

For me, when I wear my cross I generally find that it constantly reminds me of my identity in Christ, and because of that I am even more mindful of my actions in my day-to-day life, how I speak to people, how easily I get irritated or let any kind of irritation show, etc.

Click to expand...

Crucifixes come in all sorts of sizes, but most wear ones smaller than an American quarter in my experience.

Shiranui117,
re: " A cross is enough as is; wearing a crucifix would bulge out even if you tuck it under your shirt and would probably get uncomfortable."

And just imagine if the method of execution had been the electric chair.