Zeda

I had to think on your post for a bit before I was sure how I wanted to respond. I know that Christianity is focused on the sacrifice. I know that the sacrifice, is viewed as showing us God's Love (John 3:16) But you have to admit that this poem almost comes across as a mantra.

To focus on the means of the torture and sacrifice, instead of on the love that makes it necessary according to Christian doctrine seems strange to those outside the faith. This symbol is one that our culture has so immersed us in that we dont really think anymore of what we are viewing.

If Americans starting wearing symbols of say swords to remember the beheadings in Iraq, it would be no different, and just as sick. Take some time to think about that, so you can realise how people who really think about it view the cross.

jdlongmire

mantra

noun {C}

1 (especially in Hinduism and Buddhism) a word or sound which is believed to possess a special spiritual power:
- A personal mantra is sometimes repeated as an aid to meditation or prayer.

2 a word or phrase which is often repeated and which sometimes expresses a belief:
- The crowds chanted that familiar football mantra: "Here we go, here we go, here we go..."

...to make sure... you are referring to 2, not 1?



Which is why the Reformed faith recommends removing icons, etc...


...just as sick...I am struggling with your implication...will reflect and respond later...

starling

Well, Vampires are technically anti-Jewish. Not hating Jewish people or anything, but disobeying the old testament Bible. It tells us do not drink the blood for the blood is the life. Instead drain the blood as sacrifice to god and eat your meat all holy and stuff. So basically people used to think souls were contained in blood, and the release of blood was how the soul escaped. The monster that is the western vampire was supposed to be what happened when God cursed a human for drinking the fresh blood not just of livestock, but a human. Or they were like, the progeny of the first murderer, Kain. I forget the specifics.

jdlongmire

The Wonderful Cross was a hymn, not a mantra - I like this one even better...

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
’Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee!
I crucified Thee.

Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
For man’s atonement, while he nothing heedeth,
God intercedeth.

For me, kind Jesus, was Thy incarnation,
Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation;
Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion,
For my salvation.

Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee,
I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee,
Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving,
Not my deserving.

...this is what the cross means to me...

Magus55

Protestants use crosses, Catholics use crucifixions ( cross with Jesus actually on it). As to why its done, people use it as a reminder of what Jesus did for them. When they see the cross, it reminds them that Jesus suffered on it to save them.

TySixtus

I know why the do it- just don't happen to agree with it. If my brother was killed by a bank robber trying to save me, I wouldn't wear the gun that killed him around my neck.

Psychologically, it's not sound.

Ty

Zeda

I really do understand where you are coming from. There was a time when I was there. I used Mantra in a sense of self-hypnosis, trying to move from the world of reality to a higher spiritual plane, by focusing on a word or object for meditation.

The church I was from and many others use phrases like the blood of Christ, Christ's sacrifice, Christ's death, Christ's wounds, Christ crowned with thorns, Christ died for you, the Cross, the Old Rugged Cross. etc. constantly.

This feels to me like an attempt to focus the mind on the past. If we compare our suffering in the here-and-now to his sacrifice, we will forget or ignore the pain and injustice of the real world and focus on that day 2,000 years ago. Maybe if we focus hard enough, we will not rise up and cast off our masters, Maybe we will overlook our own pain. Maybe we will accept that suffering is the lot of all humans. Maybe we will stay in an abusive home, or an abusive marriage, and consider it is God's will, just as it was God's will that Christ suffer.

jdlongmire

...or reflect how His sacrifice allows for the ultimate triumph over all in eternity...


I am certain that some folk would utilize this rationale, or any other, to ameliorate suffering...what is your alternative?

Zeda

The alternative is not to accept suffering-- the alternative is to break the chains, and change your life.

jdlongmire

Very pithy, but sometimes not practical. How does that apply to folk who cannot change their lives? The folk that suffer everyday in circumstances beyond their control? ...and before we get on a tangent of why bad things happen to good people...the Reformed Faith's doctrinal stance on the nature of man linked from here