Good pointz jgnat.
Interesting rationale. So what is an idol then? How 'bout a graven image?
And how is a cross not a graven image/ idol but merely a symbol? Seems like semantics to me. Although i would imagine each and every human being might see it a little differently.
IF
the bible says no idolatry. also no graven images. nothing in the likeness of anything on the earth to be used in worship. so i make an idol and say well, its not an idol its a SYMBOL of the sacrifice christ made for me, which sacrifice is holy according to the scriptures and heck god commanded the use of symbolic other stuff too therefore it is not actual idolatry and should be allowed.
THEN
the bible also says no fornicate.
but as long as the sex i have is a SYMBOL of the love i have, which love is approved of in the bible and heck king david had many wives and concubines and god allowed that, therefore my SYMBOLIC act of love, shouldn't count as fornication. cool!
btw...just so we're clear...i wuzn't saying crosses are eeeeevil.
(i know you didn't say i said that,
just want to make sure i wuzn't coming across saying they are evil)i do however, feel that crosses fit the dictionary definition of an image, thus my reference to the scriptural admonition against graven images and they also can definitely be idolized...i mean, if wearing it around your neck or hanging it on your wall, especially praying to it or using it in worship to the extent that most people use the cross isn't idolizing it, perhapz i'm out to lunch on the term idolatry?).
The only thing i can think to say 'bout the 'symbolic palms' thing is that aside from it being a symbol, and from what you said, if it wuz a command from jehovah to observe in that manner and on that occasion, is that i've never seen god tell anyone anywhere in the bible to venerate the cross as an image, symbol, idol or otherwise.
Whether or not "everybody else is doing it",
ie...continued use of images in jewish religion, or in christendom,
means very little to me.
I agree with you, theoretically, that peoples creations becoming more important than their creator is a greater cause for concern. I think that could be whut bugs me most about the use, or misuse as the case may be, of the cross.
I do think it is kinda nice whut frusr8td said about his/her cross reminding him/her throughout the day of spiritual things s/he believes in. Most religions seem to have something or other like this in their worship, no? The first one that comes to my mind is the underwear the Mormons wear that reminds them of their vows. Only their 'symbol' is private and hidden and in no way a "look at me" in-your-face kind of statement, like the cross can come across as.
Your commentz are interesting. Food for thought i guess. Ultimately, to me, it all spells just a way that the Bible itself contradicts itself, and/or leaves itself way too open to human speculation, rationalization, interpretation.
SPAZ
