General Chat

See Mrs Sensible knows what to say (even though it's late evening).

If you are interested on BBC1 now is 'Are Christians being persecuted? I am recording it but it may have a bearing on the wearing of religious symbols/icons/dress.

Sue x

I was brought up RC but don't really have any faith now but almost always wear a crucifix. It's more about my past and also a bit of protection(!) for me even though I don't relly believe now but I don't think it makes me a hypocrite either.

Thanks TW, that was niggling at me, lolol....

The wearing of turbans, the dagger, and the cutting of hair and nails is actually written into the text of the Seikh religion, I think... but lots of Seikhs are not *extreme*.... the religion is a sort of breakaway from Hinduism, I think.... but it doesn't threaten hellfire and damnation if you don't follow it to the letter.... I'm on a roll now... I shall look it up tomorrow, but am off to my bed now, lol....... my ex BiL (different sister, lol it's like the United Nations in our family, lol) was a moderate Seikh, converted to Christianity where he met my sister at church, and was a bit of a zealot, to be honest. When they divorced, he reverted to Seikhism (?) and has gone the whole hog, no nail cutting (he used to bite them, too) hair cutting etc.

Isn't it frustrating when you have half memories of things!! Grrr!

Love

Daff xxxx

Something about worshipping false idols Daff.

I'm not sure the seikh turban is an absolute must either. I worked for three seikh brothers, two did not wear turbans, the oldest one did. Obviously the carrying of daggers is illegal for members of the public so that wouldn't happen except perhaps on ceremonial occasions.

But, as with any religion, it's all open to interpretation.

IMO Florence has the right answer - 'A true believer does not judge, whatever their faith'. xx

Sue, no, it isn't a crucifix, it is an ornate cross, there is no figure of Christ on it. So no hypocracy (sp) there.

And Maggie.... wmsl!! sorry, lolol

My niece has a thing about Asian culture and ornamentation, bracelets, lots of gold... plus she wears a cross from her mum, and a celtic cross as well. She is mixed race, Hindi and Christian... but she doesn't see it as religious, just cultural, which is different!

There is nothing in most religious texts about the wearing of crosses, bracelets and other adornments... it is suggested that women cover their *crowning glory*... their hair... in both the bible and the Koran.... but only when worshipping, and it doesn't state you have to.

The only difference is the wearing of turbans and daggers for Seikhs, as far as I remember. But I may be wrong about that..... happy for anyone to correct me.

So... it is personal choice over whether someone wears the symbols of their faith.... it is not a requirement, in most cases.

As someone said... the fish symbol is the one that Christians recognise now as being definitively Christian.... and I am sure there is some text in the Bible which actually specifically forbids the wearing of symbols. Could be wrong!

So... you go on wearing your cross, and don't feel guilty, Sue.

And Maggie... your locket was a gift to you from your dad, who really believed, so therefore it should be worn with love and remembrance.

Love

Daff xxxx

ROFLMAO Maggie,

I get your point and everyone elses'. I think if I hadn't been 'in the church' prior to 2004 I wouldn't have thought twice about it.

I feel, in an odd way, guilty about wearing them.

Sue xx

Sue,
Do all the owners of Dreamcatchers follow the religion of Native Americans? I don't think so. As for the Dreamcatchers with chinese wind chimes attached - well - even I'm confused!!!

I have no belief, but have a lovely blue enamelled 22 carat square 'locket ' which says 'Allah' on it, which is very precious to me, as, my dad, who was a convert to Islam gave it to me. If it suits the outfit, or my feelings, I wear it.

I also have a 'button badge', which is a copy of a medieval religious token, which I bought, that I have never been able to wear (though tempted) because of it's shape.

One day I'll pluck up the courage.

It's in the shape of - well, to put it delicately it is............ a penis & testicles!!

I was given a round gold pendent ,engraved with a sunburst and a cross in the middle.I am not religious at all and do wear it sometimes.
Just because I love the design and it has sentimental value

I dont own a cross and chain I have done over the years, my mum told me once they were unlucky and I have never worn one since yet I still have my faith.

Really interesting replies, thanks.

I guess I'll bumble along wearing it on the days I feel comfortable doing so and leave it in the box when I am less so.

Sue xx

Because the cross has such a deep religious significance, I tend to be interested when I see others wearing them - I wear mine most days. I'm always tempted to ask which church they go to but realise that I would probably get some very funny looks!


However, when I see someone wearing a necklace, badge or brooch depicting the 'fish' symbol then I don't usually hesitate in asking where they worship.

Cx.

ps. meant to say.....hypocritical? Perhaps not really, I just tend to think that people who wear them as fashionable items maybe don't always realise the religious significance behind them and how much the Cross means to some people.

lol Ann..straight to the point! Because it's beautifully engraved. It's a cross not a crucifix, I definitely wouldn't wear one of those without faith but as I wasn't catholic, that's moot.

Sue x

I agree with TW, if I see somebody wearing a crucifix, i.e. the cross has the figure of Christ on it, then I assume it is worn because of their faith. However a plain cross would not appear to be the same to me. I don't think a religious person would think you were a hypocrite for wearing one.

But, if it makes you uncomfortable, why wear it?

You could always start believing in vampires. You'd have a good reason to wear one then lol ;-)

Joy, you can blame Madonna (not the real one of course)...lol

Sue x

Interesting questions / thoughts.
It had not occurred to me to think of a cross as a fashion accessory; I shall go out in the sunshine and have a think :-)

i wouldnt care i didnt beleive when i wore my cross but i liked it as a fashion accessory so wore it x

BC, you put me in mind of Dara O'Brien's sketch about being an atheist, but once a catholic, you're always a catholic...even if you're an atheist. LOL

Sue, I don't think it's hypocritical to wear a cross, in the shape of a crucifix. Lots of people do and it is a useful shape for a decorative pendant. I dont' automatically put anyone who wears a decorative cross in a religious category, but I do if it is a full crucifix with the body of Christ on it. I have a celtic cross which I wear often, but it's because I like it, not because of any religious conviction, though it pleases my devout catholic mum lol

Ahh see some of us put a wearer in a faith category. So would a deeply religious person be miffed if they saw me wearing a cross and then discovered it did not mean I was adhering to that faith?

Sue x