Post by Clover on Oct 10, 2007 22:38:46 GMT -5
Actually---both people are right.
There are two sorts of crosses: The Equal, and the Roman cross.
The Equal Cross is the sort that you see on the Swiss Flag, or the Red Cross/First Aid symbol. I do know the proper name, it just escapes me at the moment.
However, that cross predates Christianity and, for that matter, Roman Civilization in general.
At the same time, the Roman Cross, with the one tall beam with the smaller cross-beam, was used as a torture device. There is a reason it's shaped my the human body, after all, and its not meant to look nice.
The entire point of crucifixion was that you didn't exsanguinate [bleed to death], its that you suffocated on your own juices as your lungs slowly started to collapse.
The weight of your body, incidentally, would also contribute to the slow ripping of your arms out of their sockets. It wasn't a pleasant way to die.
It also wasn't a particularily slow way.
So, both explanations of crosses are technically correct.
Also, Limbo, while I agree with you in regards to the rather ghoulish concept of wearing a method of death around one's neck [and particularily crucifixes* with actual images of Jesus nailed to the cross].. its also the symbolism behind the entire concept.
For example, one of Christianity/Catholicisms main tenets is that 'Jesus died for our sins'. By wearing a physical, tangible reminder of that death, it is supposed to serve as a reminder of that sacrifice, apparently as a deterrent against committing sins.
[Personally, I always thought that if the guy had paid in advance, it'd be downright rude to render that in vain, and so any good Christian should get their money's worth. Just seemed more economically viable.]
Also, I haven't eaten pork in ages. My eating of meat is restricted to lean fowl [turkey and chicken breast, and then, only grilled], and fish. Red meat twice a month for the proteins. And lots of veggies.
Also, okay, whomever started this religion topic, I hold you personally responsable for the
FAITH MATTERS add. Though if anyone's interested, you can find cute, Christian singles at www.catholicmatch.com.
And now you know. <3
*Semantically, there is a difference between a cross and a crucifix.
A cross is the structure itself: two straight lines intersecting to form a 'cross' shape.
A crucifix on the other hand, for those amongst us who might be unclear, has a corpus attached--that is, the physical representation of Jesus' body. library.thinkquest.org/05aug/02016/images/C_celtic-crucifix~100.jpg
The Cross is commonly worn in the Protestant denominations [Anglicans, Baptists, 'Christians', Episcopalians, ect], while the Crucifix tends to me associated more with the Roman Catholic Church as practiced by the Italians and Spanish.
There are two sorts of crosses: The Equal, and the Roman cross.
The Equal Cross is the sort that you see on the Swiss Flag, or the Red Cross/First Aid symbol. I do know the proper name, it just escapes me at the moment.
However, that cross predates Christianity and, for that matter, Roman Civilization in general.
At the same time, the Roman Cross, with the one tall beam with the smaller cross-beam, was used as a torture device. There is a reason it's shaped my the human body, after all, and its not meant to look nice.
The entire point of crucifixion was that you didn't exsanguinate [bleed to death], its that you suffocated on your own juices as your lungs slowly started to collapse.
The weight of your body, incidentally, would also contribute to the slow ripping of your arms out of their sockets. It wasn't a pleasant way to die.
It also wasn't a particularily slow way.
So, both explanations of crosses are technically correct.
Also, Limbo, while I agree with you in regards to the rather ghoulish concept of wearing a method of death around one's neck [and particularily crucifixes* with actual images of Jesus nailed to the cross].. its also the symbolism behind the entire concept.
For example, one of Christianity/Catholicisms main tenets is that 'Jesus died for our sins'. By wearing a physical, tangible reminder of that death, it is supposed to serve as a reminder of that sacrifice, apparently as a deterrent against committing sins.
[Personally, I always thought that if the guy had paid in advance, it'd be downright rude to render that in vain, and so any good Christian should get their money's worth. Just seemed more economically viable.]
Also, I haven't eaten pork in ages. My eating of meat is restricted to lean fowl [turkey and chicken breast, and then, only grilled], and fish. Red meat twice a month for the proteins. And lots of veggies.
Also, okay, whomever started this religion topic, I hold you personally responsable for the
FAITH MATTERS add. Though if anyone's interested, you can find cute, Christian singles at www.catholicmatch.com.
And now you know. <3
*Semantically, there is a difference between a cross and a crucifix.
A cross is the structure itself: two straight lines intersecting to form a 'cross' shape.
A crucifix on the other hand, for those amongst us who might be unclear, has a corpus attached--that is, the physical representation of Jesus' body. library.thinkquest.org/05aug/02016/images/C_celtic-crucifix~100.jpg
The Cross is commonly worn in the Protestant denominations [Anglicans, Baptists, 'Christians', Episcopalians, ect], while the Crucifix tends to me associated more with the Roman Catholic Church as practiced by the Italians and Spanish.