Graphic Depiction of Torture - the Crucifix

[KichigaiNeko]

Thing is that xtianity is a "judaic death cult" always has always will be....... retarded.

[Kirbmarc]

I personally don't like the image of the cross as a depiction of Christianity. I don't like it because we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, not the crucifixion of Christ. The method of his execution is irrelevant, he would still be the same Saviour whether he died on the gallows or in front of a firing squad

The resurrrection would be much harder to turn into a symbol, though. Religions need symbols to ground their philosophical assumptions and make them accepted by the general population.

A while back I read an article about the shock experienced by Europeans who found graphic depictions of torture "ornamenting" everyday objects used by the Aztec natives in America and how gruesome that civilization apeared to them. But hey: when you think about it, there is another civilization where people put graphic depictions of torture over their doors, hang them as pendants on their mirror in their cars or even on their neck. It is OUR civilization.

Mutilations and gruesome imagery have had a symbolic meaning since the dawn of time. We find the symbols of other cultures offensive simly because we're not used to them.

I personally have no problems with the crucifix or other violent imagery, as long as they're not too explicitly graphic (and even in that case, only until you're mature enough not to suffer from the exposure): violence is an aspect of life, denying it is not a good education strategy.

[festive1]

I think this is a swell example of cultural bias. Depictions of other religions' violent imagery: *gasps* *horror*. Depictions of our (Western) religion's violent imagery: excellent, devout. In fairness, most Protestant religions don't use crucifixes, just crosses, though the imagery is still a reference to the same violence and torture. I agree with FNM's post, its supposed to remind people that we should feel guilty, because Jesus suffered and died for our sins. If only we were better, more perfect beings...

[Cyberman]

I personally don't like the image of the cross as a depiction of Christianity. I don't like it because we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, not the crucifixion of Christ. The method of his execution is irrelevant, he would still be the same Saviour whether he died on the gallows or in front of a firing squad

The resurrrection would be much harder to turn into a symbol, though. Religions need symbols to ground their philosophical assumptions and make them accepted by the general population.

Agreed. An empty cave is far less inspiring, or perhaps that should be intimidating, than a depiction of a bloke nailed to a stick. The message of "look what this bloke had to go through for you, you evil sinner" is a potent one to a mediaeval mindset; "look, there it isn't", not so much.

[Minimalist]

I personally don't like the image of the cross as a depiction of Christianity. I don't like it because we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, not the crucifixion of Christ. The method of his execution is irrelevant, he would still be the same Saviour whether he died on the gallows or in front of a firing squad.

Early xtians apparently agreed with you. The cross, as a symbol seems to have arisen in the late 2d-early 3d century but the crucifix is a 5th century demonstration. Of course, by that time the church's metamorphosis into a mechanism of social control was firmly underway.

[Aractus]

Early xtians apparently agreed with you. The cross, as a symbol seems to have arisen in the late 2d-early 3d century but the crucifix is a 5th century demonstration. Of course, by that time the church's metamorphosis into a mechanism of social control was firmly underway.

Plus we all call Jesus by his Greek name rather than his Hebrew name.

[Minimalist]

You ought to hear what I call him.

[Godscreated]

The crucifix is usually displayed by the Catholic Church. The cross is displayed by the protestants. The cross is not a symbol of death and torture, it is a symbol of hope, it symbolizes the resurrection, it's a symbol of life, a symbol of triumph over death, the cross is to be displayed empty to give us the hope of freedom.
Someone mentioned we should only use something like the fish symbol, apparently they do not realize why the fish symbol was started, it started because of the violence committed upon Christians.

[Darth]

An empty cross is more threatening, it has room for a heathen or two .

[Ben Davis]

The cross is not a symbol of death and torture, it is a symbol of hope, it symbolizes the resurrection, it's a symbol of life, a symbol of triumph over death, the cross is to be displayed empty to give us the hope of freedom.

A crucifix is still a torture device, akin to a rack or an iron maiden, whether there's a man on it or not. I don't see how your point challenges the OP.