Sunday, November 3, 2013

Why do Catholics and Protestants consider the cross ( torture stake ) to be holy?

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Rolando C


Where in the bible does it say that ? And if the cross is considered holy by some professing Christians. Does that mean that the whip that was used to punish Jesus can be considered as holy also ?


Answer
Interesting question, here is some info that might help direct your thinking:

THE cross is loved and respected by millions of people. The Encyclopædia Britannica calls the cross âthe principal symbol of the Christian religion.â Nevertheless, true Christians do not use the cross in worship. Why not?

An important reason is that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross. The Greek word generally translated âcrossâ is stau·rosâ². It basically means âan upright pale or stake.â The Companion Bible points out: â[Stau·rosâ²] never means two pieces of timber placed across one another at any angle . . . There is nothing in the Greek of the [New Testament] even to imply two pieces of timber.â

In several texts, Bible writers use another word for the instrument of Jesusâ death. It is the Greek word xyâ²lon. (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) This word simply means âtimberâ or âa stick, club, or tree.â

Explaining why a simple stake was often used for executions, the book Das Kreuz und die Kreuzigung (The Cross and the Crucifixion), by Hermann Fulda, states: âTrees were not everywhere available at the places chosen for public execution. So a simple beam was sunk into the ground. On this the outlaws, with hands raised upward and often also with their feet, were bound or nailed.â

The most convincing proof of all, however, comes from Godâs Word. The apostle Paul says: âChrist by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: âAccursed is every man hanged upon a stake [âa tree,â King James Version].ââ (Galatians 3:13) Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, which clearly refers to a stake, not a cross. Since such a means of execution made the person âa curse,â it would not be proper for Christians to decorate their homes with images of Christ impaled.

There is no evidence that for the first 300 years after Christâs death, those claiming to be Christians used the cross in worship. In the fourth century, however, pagan Emperor Constantine became a convert to apostate Christianity and promoted the cross as its symbol. Whatever Constantineâs motives, the cross had nothing to do with Jesus Christ. The cross is, in fact, pagan in origin. The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits: âThe cross is found in both pre-Christian and non-Christian cultures.â Various other authorities have linked the cross with nature worship and pagan sex rites.

Why, then, was this pagan symbol promoted? Apparently, to make it easier for pagans to accept âChristianity.â Nevertheless, devotion to any pagan symbol is clearly condemned by the Bible. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) The Scriptures also forbid all forms of idolatry. (Exodus 20:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 10:14) With very good reason, therefore, true Christians do not use the cross in worship.

Additionally, Idolatry and the use of images in worship is condemed by God. - 1 Corinthians 10:14; When non-Jews converted to Christianity in the first century, they did not continue to use idols in their worship of God. Note what Demetrius, a silversmith who made idols in Ephesus, said about the apostle Paulâs preaching: âMen, you well know that from this business we have our prosperity. Also, you behold and hear how not only in Ephesus but in nearly all the district of Asia this Paul has persuaded a considerable crowd and turned them to another opinion, saying that the ones that are made by hands are not gods.ââActs 19:25, 26.

Paulâs own words confirm the accusation made by Demetrius. When speaking to the Greeks in Athens, Paul said: âWe ought not to imagine that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man. True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance, yet now he is telling mankind that they should all everywhere repent.â (Acts 17:29, 30) On the same subject, Paul wrote to those in Thessalonica and commended them with the words: âYou turned to God from your idols.ââ1 Thessalonians 1:9.

What is your favorite Coen brothers movie?




Corwin


For me, it's a tie between The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou?
BQ: Give me one or two of your favorite quotes from their movies.
Well, you know, that's just, like, uh, your opinion, man.
These boys is not white! Hell, they ain't even old-timey!!



Answer
1.No country for old men
2. Fargo
3. The Big lebowski
4. burn after reading
5. a serious Man

i've seen most of Miller's Crossing but i don't freel i can count that if i havent seen it all XD
loved it though
so NCFOM is my favourite.

BQ: hrrm, Anything walter says in the big Lebowski about Vietnam or his religon.

Walter:You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don't wanna know about it, believe me.
The Dude: Yeah, but Walter...
Walter Sobchak: Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish. These fucking amateurs...




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