Discussion Crosses used in fashion/non-religious way

[Nitlott]

May sound like something not worth discussing with an obvious answer... But still: Do you think crosses can be used outside religion or within religion only?

I wanted to order couple of metal cross charms for my DIY stuff ~1 year ago. The thing with it was that I order stuff online through my mother, so I needed to know her position on this topic. No idea how, but our conversation got to that topic one time. Convenient. I can't remember her answer word for word, but her view on it was that it's at least strange for non-religious people to wear a cross. I didn't give her a "clear" and firm answer (like I always do lol), but I said that, in a way, it has become a part of pop culture with religions being the main influence on it for a long time. And that with time, like most things do, the initial meaning at least faded a little. Like subcultures picking religious imaginary, goths using ankhs and crosses for example. Or how in black metal scene upside down cross is used, but maybe it's not a right example here...Still I don't think there's so much fans of Saint Peter, you know? I remember she said she didn't even think of it like that ...Maybe she didn't get my question fully and thought about wearing a legit cross around your neck (not just a thing in a shape of a cross with no value), who knows.
It's not really about fashion only, but more of use of crosses (and religious imagery as a whole) outside religion. I really like them, no idea why. I want to see other people's opinions on this topic, especially of different religions

I think my opinion on it is that it, as almost all things in the word, depends on what meaning you give to it and what it means for you specifically.

Spoiler: (No idea if it's something worth mentioning)

If it matters here: I wouldn't call myself a religious person; Don't pray, don't go to church often. But I am baptized and wear a cross. I don't think of myself as an orthodox christian. I have my beliefs and opinions, and I'm happy with them, so I don't think I really have a thing to say on this topic as a religious person. More of a bystander, which divides my opinion's value by 2 because I can't decide what certain people think is strange or bad...

 

[_Gollum_]

I used to sometimes wear small black crosses as earrings. It wasn't for "fashion" or aesthetics so much as it was me grasping onto something, as at that time I was in the depths of despair. This time period also coincided with a newfound burning interest in Christian theology, so it seemed like a natural choice. (At no point during that time was I a believer, however). I stopped wearing them as I came out of that pit because they weren't significant anymore.

I did always feel a little strange about wearing them though. Like an imposter. I questioned whether it was right for an atheist to wear other people's deepest convictions on their body for "comfort." Was it offensive? I honestly never arrived at an answer, so I guess this comment was somewhat useless! I think it's an open question tbh. If you're coming at the religion with respect then I think it's probably less offensive, but then again no one has a monopoly on symbols, and they should be available for liberal (as in generous) creative use, especially given their shared, communal meaning.

 

[scary]

As someone who grew up in a Christian household, its literally just a shape lol. I personally don't think its "sacrilegious" to wear two intersecting lines that's now associated with the biggest religion in the world. Other people besides Jesus and St Peter were crucified and sometimes the crucifixion's had nothing to do with religion. Religion as a whole is just made up and I don't think you should be bashed for wearing something you think looks nice. The cross is only associated with religion because people said it was, in another timeline maybe it'd have nothing to do with Christianity and it would be just an interesting shape.

I don't think the association will go away anytime soon, but it is an interesting idea to use the cross outside of anything explicitly religious. Ofc some people would still be upset that the cross isn't being used in a "holy" context but that can be said for any symbol or whatever that's been reused for other purposes. Although I'm not anti religious cross, especially since a lot of people grew up with it and had it engrained that it's specifically for religion, things just evolve and change over time to have different meanings and contexts. Hell people to this day still think the upside down cross is "satanic" when its the symbol for St Peter.

It is a nice "faith/hope" symbol though, I do agree with the things Jesus has said to some extent and I wish I had more hope in my life

 

[itsitbit]

My personal opinion is that it's fine and not particularly strange, but I also feel that I am obviously biased because my own background is of being raised christian (not practicing as an adult, trying to move away from religion). There's a bunch of crosses that have been hanging up in my house forever that feel very background to me, so if I wear things with crosses on them, I don't really register it as an expression of faith even if that sounds a little goofy. But nobody has ever asked me about it either, I feel like it really depends on the overall vibe you give off, to be honest. I have cross earrings I like to wear sometimes with goth-inspired outfits, and I think people just see it and think it's a cool accessory, which is also how I feel about it. I guess if I wore a normal outfit with a subtle cross necklace it would probably give off a very different impression.

I don't think there's anything especially wrong with it, and I do agree with you that christianity is very prominent, so of course a lot of imagery ends up being absorbed into secular pop culture. I mean, even christmas is so ubiquitous and entrenched as a major holiday, but a lot of people would not necessarily think of it as a religious holiday even though it literally is a very dominant christian holiday that occupies the spotlight of an entire season!

 

[Forever Sleep]

I suppose when I see people wearing them, I assume they are religious to some extent. Although, it maybe depends on the type. If it's a very ornate celtic cross then- maybe it's more for the visual beauty of it. A more simple version or one with Jesus on I tend to think is probably a display of their faith.

I did have one when I was younger and did believe more. It would feel odd to wear one now but then, it's so rare I wear any jewellery.

Does it bother you people may assume you are religious? It's an interesting question though. I've seen pop stars wear them and wondered if they are in fact genuinely religious or, whether it's more trying to represent an image.

I think it can also be a type of sign- that the person is good, honest, holds Christian values. Which of course, they may not at all!

It's interesting though- I find. I actually think- purely on its own as a symbol- the swastika is a pleasing shape. But, it just feels impossible to divorce it from its connotations now. Sad really- because I believe- prior to its Nazi adoption, it was used as a more gentle, positive religious symbol.

 

[TheDevilsAngel]

May sound like something not worth discussing with an obvious answer... But still: Do you think crosses can be used outside religion or within religion only?

I wanted to order couple of metal cross charms for my DIY stuff ~1 year ago. The thing with it was that I order stuff online through my mother, so I needed to know her position on this topic. No idea how, but our conversation got to that topic one time. Convenient. I can't remember her answer word for word, but her view on it was that it's at least strange for non-religious people to wear a cross. I didn't give her a "clear" and firm answer (like I always do lol), but I said that, in a way, it has become a part of pop culture with religions being the main influence on it for a long time. And that with time, like most things do, the initial meaning at least faded a little. Like subcultures picking religious imaginary, goths using ankhs and crosses for example. Or how in black metal scene upside down cross is used, but maybe it's not a right example here...Still I don't think there's so much fans of Saint Peter, you know? I remember she said she didn't even think of it like that ...Maybe she didn't get my question fully and thought about wearing a legit cross around your neck (not just a thing in a shape of a cross with no value), who knows.
It's not really about fashion only, but more of use of crosses (and religious imagery as a whole) outside religion. I really like them, no idea why. I want to see other people's opinions on this topic, especially of different religions

I think my opinion on it is that it, as almost all things in the word, depends on what meaning you give to it and what it means for you specifically.

Spoiler: (No idea if it's something worth mentioning)

If it matters here: I wouldn't call myself a religious person; Don't pray, don't go to church often. But I am baptized and wear a cross. I don't think of myself as an orthodox christian. I have my beliefs and opinions, and I'm happy with them, so I don't think I really have a thing to say on this topic as a religious person. More of a bystander, which divides my opinion's value by 2 because I can't decide what certain people think is strange or bad...

I wear them for protection...

 

[Nitlott]

I actually think- purely on its own as a symbol- the swastika is a pleasing shape. But, it just feels impossible to divorce it from its connotations now. Sad really- because I believe- prior to its Nazi adoption, it was used as a more gentle, positive religious symbol.

I agree with you! You're right about it's initial meaning, it's used in Buddhism and Hinduism. If I remember correctly, it represents the sun (and definitely more) It's a shame they get mixed up a lot despite the difference

P.S.: I forgot to mention, hope I didn't get things mixed up, but the nazi symbol actually had it's own name. I think it's hakenkreuz, "hooked cross" in English. So it's even more sad that their names got mixed up too. Don't remember exactly why it happened though, maybe a mistranslation...

 

[Mirelight]

Maybe if you wear it upside down?

Otherwise probably no unless you do it in some place where Christianity is not as widespread.

 

[_Gollum_]

I think it can also be a type of sign- that the person is good, honest, holds Christian values. Which of course, they may not at all!

Interestingly enough, I find that when wearing my cross earrings, I become a more generous person!