why do christians wear crosses?

[Niamh]

Niamh...I could ramble all day and most likely never make sense. I ask that you read this article if you get a chance. It explains why He had to die and what the cross truly symbolizes.

http://delveintojesus.com/articles/5/Why-Did-Jesus-Have-To-Die.aspx

Sorry but that still doesn't make sense. If Jesus just takes our place how do we (likening ourselves to small children) learn anything from it? It defeats the purpose of the punish to learn argument.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Sorry but that still doesn't make sense. If Jesus just takes our place how do we (likening ourselves to small children) learn anything from it? It defeats the purpose of the punish to learn argument.

We still suffer the consequences of our actions here on earth. Jesus gave us a way to repent to God and be forgiven by God for our sin. He took the place of our eternal punishment. If he hadn't, nothing we ever could do on our own could be sufficient enough to make up for our sin. The consequences of our sin is death - an eternity apart from God.

I completely understand and sympathize with your questions. I'm trying my best to answer them

 

[Panacea]

Like was said before, there's not reconciling logic and the stories of the bible, if you try to make pieces fit together using logic instead of faith, your head will explode.

 

[Niamh]

We still suffer the consequences of our actions here on earth. Jesus gave us a way to repent to God and be forgiven by God for our sin. He took the place of our eternal punishment. If he hadn't, nothing we ever could do on our own could be sufficient enough to make up for our sin. The consequences of our sin is death - an eternity apart from God.

I completely understand and sympathize with your questions. I'm trying my best to answer them

no, he sent himself down to earth for us to kill him, I can't see how that was him cleaning the slate for us

 

[Diggin Deep]

no, he sent himself down to earth for us to kill him, I can't see how that was him cleaning the slate for us

Have you seen the movie or read the book by C.S. Lewis "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe"? Lucy, Susan and Peter willingly search for and assist Aslan (The Lion). However, their brother Edmund has a different experience. Edmund meets the Queen of Narnia (The White Witch). She pampers him and treats him as a prince. She makes promises of grandeur to him in hopes that he will betray his family and deliver them to her.

Edmund agrees to do the Witch’s bidding and betrays Aslan and his family. But the Queen doesn’t live up to her promises and Edmund finally saw her for who she really was. To her, though, it was too late, he had pledged his allegiance to her. However, Aslan’s army rescues Edmund from the Witch and in a moving scene, forgives him in front of his brothers and sisters, saying, “Here is your brother, and there is no need to talk to him about what is past.” Even further than this, Aslan offers his life in place of Edmunds to the White Witch.

Edmund received the amazing gift of a fresh start by no accord of his own. Aslan offered him this gift free of charge. Aslan had given Edmund a clean slate.

That's what Jesus did for us. He paid our debt, which allows us the opportunity to come to God and have our slates wiped clean through our reconciliation with Jesus. His death bridged the gap between sinners and God.

Everyone at some point in their lives has done something they regretted. They've done something they feel guilty for. Everyone has a past and for many people, their past haunts them. Their are people who can't move forward for fear of the past. We have a longing to be free of our past, to find redemption, and to have a clean slate.

We hear the phrase, "Forgive & Forget". Ha!Ha!...easier said then done. Who can do that?...God. In God’s eyes, when we come to him, truly repentant and seek to be reconciled with Him, he forgives us, and like the Psalmist said, he removes our sins as far as the East is from the West.

I could continue to ramble, but in the end...it is what it is and that is a gift - take it or leave it.

 

[BornReady]

Only God's or Jesus's death was sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the world.

Perhaps your statement above gets at the root of our disagreement. You seem to think killing an innocent man for the crimes of another is just. I think it is barbaric and the opposite of justice. If our courts worked that way then we would have an injustice system not a justice system.

And what's this about eternal punishment? Punishing someone forever for not believing in your god is sadistic. Only totalitarian systems punish people for their beliefs. In fact, it is the mark of totalitarianism.

Just systems punish people for harming others. The person who committed the crime must be punished and the punishment must fit the crime. It's not rocket science.

 

[Ryder]

Well I don't wear a cross i wear a fish symbol and it makes me slightly comfortable. It's a thing I play with when I'm nervous and I've been wearing it so long I feel weird without it so it's not a religious thing for me.

 

[Peter Parka]

Have you seen the movie or read the book by C.S. Lewis "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe"? Lucy, Susan and Peter willingly search for and assist Aslan (The Lion). However, their brother Edmund has a different experience. Edmund meets the Queen of Narnia (The White Witch). She pampers him and treats him as a prince. She makes promises of grandeur to him in hopes that he will betray his family and deliver them to her.

Edmund agrees to do the Witch’s bidding and betrays Aslan and his family. But the Queen doesn’t live up to her promises and Edmund finally saw her for who she really was. To her, though, it was too late, he had pledged his allegiance to her. However, Aslan’s army rescues Edmund from the Witch and in a moving scene, forgives him in front of his brothers and sisters, saying, “Here is your brother, and there is no need to talk to him about what is past.” Even further than this, Aslan offers his life in place of Edmunds to the White Witch.

Edmund received the amazing gift of a fresh start by no accord of his own. Aslan offered him this gift free of charge. Aslan had given Edmund a clean slate.

That's what Jesus did for us. He paid our debt, which allows us the opportunity to come to God and have our slates wiped clean through our reconciliation with Jesus. His death bridged the gap between sinners and God.

Everyone at some point in their lives has done something they regretted. They've done something they feel guilty for. Everyone has a past and for many people, their past haunts them. Their are people who can't move forward for fear of the past. We have a longing to be free of our past, to find redemption, and to have a clean slate.

We hear the phrase, "Forgive & Forget". Ha!Ha!...easier said then done. Who can do that?...God. In God’s eyes, when we come to him, truly repentant and seek to be reconciled with Him, he forgives us, and like the Psalmist said, he removes our sins as far as the East is from the West.

I could continue to ramble, but in the end...it is what it is and that is a gift - take it or leave it.

Aslan was a stupid cunt

 

[BornReady]

Well I don't wear a cross i wear a fish symbol and it makes me slightly comfortable. It's a thing I play with when I'm nervous and I've been wearing it so long I feel weird without it so it's not a religious thing for me.

I dislike wearing jewelry. I don't even wear a watch or wedding ring. I suppose if I was going to do anything I'd get an ear piercing. But I'd much rather wear a fish than a cross.

Aslan was a stupid cunt

lol I didn't read the book but I watched the movie with my kids. I thought it was pretty silly.

 

[Niamh]

Have you seen the movie or read the book by C.S. Lewis "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe"? Lucy, Susan and Peter willingly search for and assist Aslan (The Lion). However, their brother Edmund has a different experience. Edmund meets the Queen of Narnia (The White Witch). She pampers him and treats him as a prince. She makes promises of grandeur to him in hopes that he will betray his family and deliver them to her.

Edmund agrees to do the Witch’s bidding and betrays Aslan and his family. But the Queen doesn’t live up to her promises and Edmund finally saw her for who she really was. To her, though, it was too late, he had pledged his allegiance to her. However, Aslan’s army rescues Edmund from the Witch and in a moving scene, forgives him in front of his brothers and sisters, saying, “Here is your brother, and there is no need to talk to him about what is past.” Even further than this, Aslan offers his life in place of Edmunds to the White Witch.

Edmund received the amazing gift of a fresh start by no accord of his own. Aslan offered him this gift free of charge. Aslan had given Edmund a clean slate.

That's what Jesus did for us. He paid our debt, which allows us the opportunity to come to God and have our slates wiped clean through our reconciliation with Jesus. His death bridged the gap between sinners and God.

Everyone at some point in their lives has done something they regretted. They've done something they feel guilty for. Everyone has a past and for many people, their past haunts them. Their are people who can't move forward for fear of the past. We have a longing to be free of our past, to find redemption, and to have a clean slate.

We hear the phrase, "Forgive & Forget". Ha!Ha!...easier said then done. Who can do that?...God. In God’s eyes, when we come to him, truly repentant and seek to be reconciled with Him, he forgives us, and like the Psalmist said, he removes our sins as far as the East is from the West.

I could continue to ramble, but in the end...it is what it is and that is a gift - take it or leave it.

The Lion, the witch and The wardrobe is a fantasy story. I suppose that fits

 

[Johnfromokc]

That doesn't even make sense. God sacrificed himself to make up to himself for the our sins?

 

[Niamh]

:d :d :d

:24::24:

 

[Aries]

This thread is really sad. Why do some people have to make fun of other's beliefs? I wear a cross because it symbolizes the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us.

 

[BornReady]

This thread is really sad. Why do some people have to make fun of other's beliefs? I wear a cross because it symbolizes the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us.

So you're okay accepting the slaughter of an innocent man as a sacrifice for your sins? If you broke the law would you be okay with your brother or sister going to prison in your place?

I don't question your right to believe what you want. But to suggest all beliefs are equal and deserving of respect is simply wrong.

 

[Aries]

So you're okay accepting the slaughter of an innocent man as a sacrifice for your sins? If you broke the law would you be okay with your brother or sister going to prison in your place?

I don't question your right to believe what you want. But to suggest all beliefs are equal and deserving of respect is simply wrong.

That's such a half assed comment and not worthy of an answer.

I don't expect anyone to believe what I believe just because I believe it. I never force my beliefs on anyone. I also do not make fun of other's beliefs that are different from mine. That's all I will say on this matter.

 

[BornReady]

I never force my beliefs on anyone.

Just because you don't force you beliefs on anyone doesn't make your beliefs worthy of respect. It's fine if you don't care that I don't respect your substitutionary redemption belief. I'm okay with your right to disagree. But I have as much right to my opinion as you have to yours. And I think substitutionary redemption is barbaric.

 

[Johnfromokc]

This thread is really sad. Why do some people have to make fun of other's beliefs? I wear a cross because it symbolizes the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us.

I understand what you are saying. It works both ways though. Many Christians are outright hostile to non-believers (not you ) And many Christians believe Christianity is sacred and should be exempt from criticism. Many other religions feel the same way. But I believe we all should be able to freely challenge any beliefs system. This little comic comes to mind along those lines:

 

[Aries]

Challenging beliefs is different than making fun of them. Disagreeing with someone's beliefs is also different than making fun of them.

And to BornReady...you may not think my beliefs deserve respect and that's fine. But I surely do deserve respect.

 

[BornReady]

And to BornReady...you may not think my beliefs deserve respect and that's fine. But I surely do deserve respect.

I am sorry if I have disrespected you. That was not my intent.

Edit: Btw, I do have respect for many Christian beliefs. But substitutionary redemption isn't one of them.

 

[Diggin Deep]

The Lion, the witch and The wardrobe is a fantasy story. I suppose that fits

*face palm* It was just an example...I suppose I've said all that I can in this thread.