why the Christians love cross,if actually the Jesus was crucified on it,then it cannot be a holy thing.?
611062
I see your point.  I don't think a cross should be used as decoration or jewelry. But because of Jesus' blood that was shed, it is a symbol of his payment for sins. He was without sin, so Jesus is Holy and it is by association that we think of other symbols and the Bible as Holy, but really only those who believe in Jesus and have his blood to pay for their sins can be made holy.
333221
As people have said, Catholicism is just a specific type of Christianity.  As for the cross bit, many Protestants use crosses as opposed to crucifixes (the cross with Jesus on it) because of the commandment that says you shouldn't make any graven images.  Catholics interpret this to mean you shouldn't worship any graven images and use the crucifix to help focus their thoughts during prayer or worship.  Some other points based on the differences between Catholics and Protestants (most Christians who aren't Catholic are Protestant):\n\n 1. Saints.  Catholics will pray to saints, asking them to intercede on their behalf.  Protestants don't do this, and don't really have saints.  I believe one reason is they sometimes think of this as worship, naturally forbidden.  Also, Catholics believe Mary was born without sin (the "immaculate conception").  Protestants do not.\n 2.  Structure.  Catholicism has a hierarchical structure with the pope at the top, then cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, other religious, and laypeople.  This is not to say Catholics follow the pope mindlessly or above God, just that he acts as a father and a guide for the Church.  Protestants do not have this structure, but rely on small self-governing communities.\n 3.  The Eucharist.  Catholics say that the Eucharist is the essence of Christ, present with them.  They worship Christ in and through the Eucharist.  Protestants (generally) think the Eucharist is bread, symbolic of Christ, but not actually Christ.\n 4. Salvation.  Generally, Protestants believe that salvation can only come from accepting Christ as your savior.  Essentially, no matter how good a person is on their own, because they're not perfect, they wouldn't be able to make it to heaven if it weren't for Chirst's sacrifice.    Catholics believe this is true, but that you also have to 'walk the walk, not just talk the talk.'  Salvation is based on the acceptance of Christ as savior combined with good works.
19748
It was Jesus who said that His yoke was easy and His burden light. He is also the one who said to take up your cross and follow Him. I believe the latter refers to the shame of the cross and the suffering that comes from being identified with Christ. Condemned prisoners were required to carry their crosses to humiliate them, sort of like the perp walk. This was a symbol of their guilt. I think this may be why Jesus fell under the weight of the cross and someone else was ordered to carry it. It wasn't His cross that He died on, it was ours. If you are having problems with people abusing the GIFT of God to continue to live in rebellion against Him, then we are in agreement. These people's faith is shallow and insincere, thus it's false. They may have heard some sort of message and were asked if they believe it and they said yes. This doesn't mean that they came to a full realization or understanding within their hearts of who Jesus really is, why He had to die, and why they need Him. True converts are led to Him by the internal promptings of the Holy Spirit who convicts them of their sin and God's wrath against them. They are moved to repentance and driven to seek refuge in God's mercy and grace through faith in His son Jesus. It is our guilt-ridden consciences that keep us from God just like it did Adam and Eve. Simple and genuine faith in Jesus for our justification gives our conscience peace with God. This produces within us, by the Holy Spirit, great joy, a grateful and carefree heart, and love. If these things motivate you to righteous living then the yoke truly will be light. If fear and guilt, however, are your motivators then you will find yourself trying(and failing)to earn God's favor by cold hearted legalistic efforts to keep a set of rules.
770034
Hello ast5792.. :)\n\nMan is still crucifying Jesus even today..by denying His Love for them.. :(\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name.. \nWith Love..In Christ.. :)
331951
You make an interesting point. I have made an exclusive study of the trinity in the Christian scriptures and found it to have a solid premise, albeit that particular word isn't in the bible, and neither is the concept directly addressed. I wouldn't attempt to go into it here - it's too much - and that wasn't your question. I know  little about the Hindu religion,  so I'm not really qualified to comment.  What I find interesting about your point - the trinity notwithstanding - is that Mary, the mother of Jesus is worshiped in some Christian religions, as some  pray to various saints as well. It does indeed sound like at least some Christians have more than one god. I think that's rather odd. But...I haven't answered your question. It's a bit tricky. If you were a Christian we could discuss it.
881236
There's no such thing or label. Christianity and Heaven go together so its impossible. An unbeliever is an appropriate label.
1092172
as someone who believes in the historical jesus and not the religious jesus, i would have to say that i would be none of the above.  i would simply be glad that it is him on the cross and not me.
496083
Why is there a cross? Well, it is a visual reminder each time I see it that Jesus carried my sins on the cross. (1 Peter 2:24) We know what love is because Jesus gave up His life for us on the cross. (1 John 3:16) His death on the cross was part of God's plan for our redemption. ( 1 Peter 1:20) Jesus was willing to die for OUR SIN. (Matt 26:53-54) He is perfect. ( Heb 7:25-26, 1 Peter 2:22) He died on the cross so I could be free. (Rom 6:6, Rom 6:18)When He died on the cross, Jesus said " It is finished" ( john 19:30) the actual word He used means "It is paid for." Our sins were paid for. When Christ rose from the dead, our sin remained buried. Since Jesus is risen, we can share in His glory! (Coll 1:22, Rom 3:22) The cross, once a symbol of torture and shame, is now a symbol of the victory of Christ! ( Heb 12:2) If you place your trust in Jesus, He will be your salvation. (John 14:1,23) Nothing can separate us from God's love. (Rom 8:39) He is with us always, even unto the end of time. (Rom 8:38, Matt 28:20)\n\nI wear a cross to remind me of what my Lord and Savior did for me. I recall His sacrifice and thank Him for loving me. I wear my cross as I follow Him.
474312
Oh, Dude! I thought I was the only one who saw the irony in the cross as a symbol of faith! I'd rather focus on Jesus with the lambs and children than a reminder of when Jesus was cruelly maimed. For an example, I like Stevie Ray, but I would never wear a mangled-up helicopter charm to honor his memory.....
367467
Mainstream Christianity has always maintained that god's son died on a cross to save people from their sin. But other Christians rejected this and said that it is not his death that can accomplish anything, but rather his life and teaching. I agree with the latter (though it is very unorthodox and wonderfully heretical). And I agree with your thinking and I cannot see how the death of a man on a cross can possibly achieve anything. Such primitive practices go back to when people believed that god can't do anything without seeing blood ("without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin").
386472
We christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Good Friday he was crucified and on Easter he was resurrected.
986268
I would like to comment on the fact about Mary or the other saints being worship. They where servants of God and shouldn't be worshiped like some people do. \n\n\nYou can get on your knees and kiss the statue of St.Peter and still not get to heaven because Jesus is the only one to forgive you of your sins. \n\n\nAs for the images I too once thought nothing of it. However it is commanded  that we not make any image or likeness of God in earth or the sea beneath. So after searching my own heart I found it to be wrong.\n\n@martha I just got done reading and your right we shouldn't judge. But the bible does tell us to save our brothers from death(Translated from the hebrew word sheol which means hell).
700603
Jesus was never a christian, he rebelled against the abuses of church and state.\n\nSimon is the rock the church is built upon
406998
I don't know what religion you claim, but according to the Christian view, God has a purpose for everyone. God originally put us here to worship him and to commune with him. Since the crucifixion, our main purpose is to win others to Christ. Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." This is known as "The Great Commission" in most Christian denominations. I also believe God has other purposes, but this is the main purpose.
577468
'god bless'...that offends me! lol  But to be honest, even though I'm not a believer, I believe in letting things be. The cross does not offend me. I'd rather go with the majority, myself. I feel like that's what this country is about.
1143843
I definately agree with you.  Other than Jesus was God's son, supposedly, why was his crucifixtion so important...he wasn't the only one that was crucified and tortured.  There is a lot in the Bible that can be scrutinized over and there is always going to be people who believe in different things.  The Christians who were taught that they cannot think anything other than God is God and Jesus is the son of God and that everything happens because God wants it to will never change their mind about it.  I have asked questions like this and people say I am ignorant for asking these questions...I say they are because they don't question anything or think for themselves.  How merciful a God we have that allows molestation and slow painful deaths for innocent children with cancer and AIDS.  I am not sure on the answers for a lot of your questions...I know that I believe there is a God...I do not however believe in Him in the way others do...I believe He is there to watch out over his children like a father does and no ones father is perfect...neither is God.  Everyone has their faults including God.  The Bible was made by man not by God.  It is all mans interpretation of what God told them and maybe that is why we are being punished now is because those people as well did not interpret God's word the way He told them to do so.  You have great questions!  Just believe what you want and what you know inside yourself is right.  There will always be someone who will say you are wrong or whatever...but God made us the way we are...made us have doubts and if you...this is going to sound cheesy...listen to yourself you will know it is God who is putting that belief inside of you.  I have hardly read the Bible by the way...I just believe what is in my heart and what makes sense to me.    I hope all that made sense to you.
1109014
Man, I understand where your coming from.  I've studied other religions and looked into this Jesus and I've asked the same question and many more.  Jesus is special for a number of reasons.  Yes, there were many people who crucified as saviors before and after Jesus.  We still get people popping up claiming divinity.  The real question isn't so much as is Jesus the savior because he got a few books written about him, its why were there books written about him in the first place.  The most basic point anyone can show you is this...its not that Jesus died, its that he rose after his death.  And there is more evidence that he did actually rise 3 days later and not just Biblical evidence.  First off, the fact that the Roman leaders and armies wanted him gone, because it was the time of Pass Over which is the celebration of Jews getting out of Egypt, and at this time of year, the Jewish community gets a little out of hand, for the are now under the Roman rule.  So when Jesus comes in, and he's claiming to be their savior...the crowd thinks he's going to be a king and run the Romans out.  So, if Jesus didn't rise again, why did the Romans say nothing?  Why did the Jewish Pharaseas (please excuse my spelling) who pushed to have him killed, not stand up and say..."he's still dead!"?  What was it that gave Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John the confedance to step out of their hidding, for fear they were going to be crucified, and boldly speak of a living God, Jesus...and welcome their death?  These questions may seem weak, but if you really think about them and look at the history and try to get in the minds of all these people...only one thing makes since...Jesus is not dead...he rose, becoming a savior that no one expected, but a savior from ourselves.  Thats why Jesus is special, the others were saviors...they were fanatics.  There are a lot of other reasons why Jesus is special, but I honestly have the feeling that if this thought doesn't at least make you rethink the history, then anything else I say, will truly be pointless.