what do you believe about crosses as jewellery?

[GarethJones]

Hi

im currently studying for my gcse's, and i am stuck on a question i have been asked which is, "what do you believe about crosses as jewellery?" and i thought i could gather some information from some religious backgrounds.

so how do you feel about those who wear jewwellery as just symbols of fashion?

Thankyou and please say whatever you feel.

[brucegdc]

First, welcome to CR, Gareth!

I'd say it's an interesting question - my take on it is that people wear jewelry they like. For some, it's religious symbolism (large or small...), for others it's gems, and for others it's darned near anything. My personal rule is that the jewelry should not mass more than 10% of the persons body weight, having seen a few folks who went WAYYY over :-)

... Bruce

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by GarethJones

Hi

"what do you believe about crosses as jewellery?"

Perhaps that would be a good place to start? What do you believe?

[BluejayWay]

The question could easily be--and perhaps should be--expanded to consideration of any spiritual or religious symbol used as jewellry.

The yin-yang can often be seen dangling from the necks of folks who might not know the difference between a lama and a llama, and , in the USA at least, the Native American dreamcatcher



has been turned into a kitsch item, pretty much, hanging from rearview mirrors of sports cars and SUVs--

I certainly can't judge other's intent on wearing or displaying religious imagery, so i try to accept sincerity, at some level, from those who do display it, becaue, imo, wearing someone else's sacred symbol as vain display is, well, just a bit tacky--

[ISFP]

that's the problem with "wearing" religion- too often these symbols (e.g. the Hindu OM, Native American images, Christian symbols) get commercialized to the point of being fashion statements or cutesy decor.

religion should be about the relationship between one's self and the Transcendent, however you define it. generally i don't see the need to display one's religious symbols on clothing or jewelery, and less reason to display other's religious symbols in a similar way.

[Master]

Wearing a religious symbol can have great powers if you believe. For example if you are a christian and believe in Jesus, and you believe that Jesus will help you, wearing a cross can help provide you with positive energy, not because it is a cross but because you believe in what the symbol represents.
It doesnt matter wether its gold or wood or plastic. The same applies to other religions and beliefs.

[dauer]

As long as it's not bling-bling I support it. Just a little symbol. I wear a mezuzah pendant around my neck and I usually have it tucked into my shirt. Sometimes it flips out.


The mezuzah is actually a piece of parchment placed into a special holder-box and then secured onto a doorpost. During WWII when the Christian soldiers were being given crosses, the Jews couldn't be given mogen davids, stars of david, because among the German civilians this could become an issue. And so they were given mezuzah pendants instead. Now it's very common for a Jew to wear one although it is not a religious obligation. Just religious jewelry.

Dauer

[Master]

I feel that there is nothing wrong with wearing a religious or spiritual symbol as jewellery just simply for fashion, even if you do not believe in or understand what it symbolises. At the end of the day i think you should be able to wear any symbol or jewellery that you wish, that is part of what makes you who you are, wether you believe in the symbol or not.

It is up to the individual wearing the symbol to decide what it means to them.
It is not up to others to make that decison for the individual.

I personally do not agree with expensive jewellery because the money that was spent on that can be better spent elsewhere, e.g. world famine.

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by BluejayWay

The question could easily be--and perhaps should be--expanded to consideration of any spiritual or religious symbol used as jewellry.

The yin-yang can often be seen dangling from the necks of folks who might not know the difference between a lama and a llama, and , in the USA at least, the Native American dreamcatcher



has been turned into a kitsch item, pretty much, hanging from rearview mirrors of sports cars and SUVs--

I certainly can't judge other's intent on wearing or displaying religious imagery, so i try to accept sincerity, at some level, from those who do display it, becaue, imo, wearing someone else's sacred symbol as vain display is, well, just a bit tacky--

i like that dream catcher. i used to pick them up all the time when traveling out west.

i wore a cross once in my ear, but my aunt yanked it out & told me not to wear it in her house.. that is when i was a young punk know it all & trying to be a show off.

i dont know GarethJones... as for jewelry, jewelry is jewelry. i dont think we are supposed to load ourselves down with too much of it. it does not make a person who they are. you can tell when someone is wearing something classy & when they are wearing a bunch to show off.

[GarethJones]

Thankyou everyone for your answers, they have been all very helpful, i have posted another question, which is apart of a new essay im writing, if you have the time could you please have a read.

thankyou

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

I think I could do worse than to quote the late, great Bill Hicks on this issue:

"A lot of christian people where crosses around their necks, You think when Jesus comes back he ever wants to see another f**king cross?"