[Traveler]

Originally Posted by prisonchaplain

YES!

The cross reminds us of the means of Christ's sacrifice. It is not idolatry, a desire for the morbid, nor defeatism, that motivates us to use the cross as our primary image, when telling the gospel. Just as we did not know Abraham's faith and love for God until he lifted the knife to sacrifice his own son, we could not see, nor understand the rock-solid love of God for us.

Again, this motivates us to live with humility, and yet righteousness and spiritual confidence. Gun, electric chair, noose--the instrument of Christ's death would be our badge of honor.

I would agree with you about your efforts to remember the sacrifice of Christ. However, that is not how he asked his disciples to remember him. I do not believe this would be so much a problem if the more important issues and commandments were given equal or more respect. I am not so concerned with your individual case of respect and devotion as I am with the traditional Christians that have carried the cross into war to justify many of histories worse abuses against mankind.

Without question the symbol of the cross has come to be an “evil” symbol of great abuse throughout the world as much as it is a symbol of peace through the sacrifice of Christ. It is also just as much a symbol of “self serving” and rejection (damning) of others as it is a symbol of love, care and service of others (especially to non-Christians).

So I ask a question – if the cross in the hands of a Christian is a symbol of destruction and abuses in a specific society – would you gladly wear a cross knowing the fear and distrust that it generates?

The Traveler