An Inverted Cross
Q: I am 17 years old and have had faith the vast majority of my life. My atheist parents disapprove of me attending church, so I stopped going but continued to pray consistently. A few weeks ago, a close friend gave me a long silver necklace with an upside-down crucifix on it. It was beautiful and I’ve worn it every day. I don’t know what the upside-down crucifix represents, but for some reason I feel bad wearing it. I've asked friends and searched the internet but can’t seem to find out what it means. Do you know if an upside-down crucifix is a negative symbol? Please help me and give me suggestions as to what I should do.
A: Dear friend, sometimes, a necklace is just a necklace. However, there are certain symbols which, as you note, cause us unease. I’m not sure if by “crucifix,” you mean an actual cross with Jesus upon it or if you mean an empty cross. There is, in my mind, quite some difference between the two. If it had an upside-down Jesus, I’d totally reject it.
Some people involved in the occult use an upside-down cross as a sign that they are against the Son of God who died on the cross. It’s a visual shorthand for their total rejection of Christianity. Yet at the same time, the inverted cross is an ancient symbol for Saint Peter. According to early Church tradition, he was executed in Rome for being a Christian and spreading the Gospel.
The early stories say that Peter felt unworthy of dying in the same manner as the Savior who he’d denied (Matthew 26:69-75), yet who’d forgiven and restored him (John 21:15-19). Thus, when it came time for his crucifixion, Peter asked that he be crucified upside-down, to show that he didn’t deserve to be compared with Christ in his manner of death.If you can, in good conscience, wear the cross as testimony to your own unworthiness yet God’s overwhelming love for you, then keep it. Wear it to remind you both of Your loving Savior and of the strength He gives His saints to live and die for His sake. Ask Him to grant you the courage of Peter, that you might boldly and publically live, speak, worship, and grow as a Christian. Perhaps this could lead you to the confidence necessary to proclaim your faith before your parents. However, I don’t recommend you jump into this without first becoming more a part of a local congregation and receiving pastoral support and nurture for your budding relationship with Jesus.
On the other hand, if you cannot separate the inverted cross from anti-Christian thinking, then I think you already realize what you should do. Again, please remember to associate with other believers in your area. Listen to Christ-centered preaching, study His Word, and learn from His people that what you do will not damage your own conscience nor testify against Jesus.
Send email to Ask the Pastor.
Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book What Do Lutherans Believe.
posted by Xrysostom | 21:26
38 Comments:
I have been doing a study of many satanic symbols over the last few days, and I am amazed at how many of thes seemly innocent symbols have be complted inodated into our daily lives. Our children are becoming immuned to the evils of Satan.
I think we have got to become aware of what we are allowing in our houses and what our children are being exposed to.
I recently branded an upside-down Crucifix upon my chest (its approxamitely 10 inches long),
so that those who judge by first appearances will automatically know that I am not a Christian. So if by some reason I am comatose in a Hospital, a pastor will know not to give me my last rites. So that whoever is to bury my body beneath the Earth's surface, will know not to do anything biblical at my burial service.
To me, it will forever be a reminder of my absolute rejection of the christian god. For if he is real, then he was a sadist to put me in this life, and I would choose Hell over Heaven to make my point clear that I am disgusted with him.
Jesus was wrong.
God is dead.
Guess what Anonymous? Jesus died and was resurrected for people just like you. The only thing that is dead is your spirit, not God. He is there waiting for people who seek Him. You obviously haven't. Perhaps you're comfortable with your pain and depression and are afraid of finding the truth because then you would have to change. Last rites and burial prayers will do you no good anyhow. Finding God is in your hands. Ask Him to prove His existence to you. He loves a challenge. It is His wish that all people choose life. Make the choice today.
Why aren't any fossilized creatures mentioned in the bible?
Also there is scientific evidence that these creatures existed, and absolutely no evidence that jesus or "god" is real.
I know that many of you claim that if I use any book other than the bible there is no proof of Jesus.
but there is take look at what these none Christian completely secular historian write about Jesus Christ. This was taken from "Got answers" at (http://www.gotquestions.org/did-Jesus-exist.html )
The first-century Roman Tacitus, who is considered one of the more accurate historians of the ancient world, mentioned superstitious "Christians" ("named after Christus" which is Latin for Christ), who suffered under Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius. Suetonius, chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian, wrote that there was a man named Chrestus (or Christ) who lived during the first century (Annals 15.44).
Flavius Josephus is the most famous Jewish historian. In his Antiquities he refers to James, “the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ.” There is a controversial verse (18:3) that says, "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats. . . . He was [the] Christ . . . he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him." One version reads, "At this time there was a wise man named Jesus. His conduct was good and [he] was known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and the other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. But those who became his disciples did not abandon his discipleship. They reported that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion, and that he was alive; accordingly he was perhaps the Messiah, concerning whom the prophets have recounted wonders."
Julius Africanus quotes the historian Thallus in a discussion of the darkness which followed the crucifixion of Christ (Extant Writings, 18).
Pliny the Younger, in Letters 10:96, recorded early Christian worship practices including the fact that Christians worshiped Jesus as God and were very ethical, and includes a reference to the love feast and Lord’s Supper.
The Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) confirms Jesus' crucifixion on the eve of Passover and the accusations against Christ of practicing sorcery and encouraging Jewish apostasy.
Lucian of Samosata was a second-century Greek writer who admits that Jesus was worshiped by Christians, introduced new teachings, and was crucified for them. He said that Jesus' teachings included the brotherhood of believers, the importance of conversion, and the importance of denying other gods. Christians lived according to Jesus’ laws, believed themselves to be immortal, and were characterized by contempt for death, voluntary self-devotion, and renunciation of material goods.
Mara Bar-Serapion confirms that Jesus was thought to be a wise and virtuous man, was considered by many to be the king of Israel, was put to death by the Jews, and lived on in the teachings of his followers.
Then we have all the Gnostic writings (The Gospel of Truth, The Apocryphon of John, The Gospel of Thomas, The Treatise on Resurrection, etc.) that all mention Jesus.
In fact, we can almost reconstruct the gospel just from early non-Christian sources: Jesus was called the Christ (Josephus), did “magic,” led Israel into new teachings, and was hanged on Passover for them (Babylonian Talmud) in Judea (Tacitus), but claimed to be God and would return (Eliezar), which his followers believed, worshipping Him as God (Pliny the Younger).
I honestly agree with Anonymous, there is little to no evidence that God actually exists, sure Jesus may have existed, but he was just a very strong believer in God and therefore, a crazed fanatic. I do not find the bible believable and do not think we should follow the rules and commandments set in it because of a fear of what happens to us after we die... we die, we rot, our bodies become a feast for insects and other decomposing animals.. nothing more.
Think of it this way: why were WE chosen to go to heaven? Why don't any other animals? Is that not biased? Yet Isn't god meant to be an unbiased entity. Humans believe in God because we need to believe in something, as the majority of people who believe in God are afraid of the concept of death. Personally, i embrace it, death will be a relief and i do not find the fact that living another life after death very appealing. I want to die and stay dead.
Also Christianity has essences of what is considered "sinful". You practice cannibalism.. you eat the flesh and blood of your "Lord". That is satanic.. it doesn't matter how you look at it, during Communion the simple bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ.. which is quite disturbing. You worship a tool of torture and death.
BUT i also disagree with Anonymous when he says he would be satanist.. for belief of one thing, HAS to lead in the belief of another, because if you truly are scientific, you would know that for every positive there is also an exact negative.. equal and opposite reaction type of thing. So by believing in "Satan" you are also admitting to a belief in "Jesus" and "God".
Personally I am atheist and find the concept of God and the bible quite ridiculous and there are more plot holes in it there are in Swiss Cheese. An Inverted Cross is simply a crucifix turned upside down.. nothing more and nothing less. It does have connections to the Occult, but like someone else said, so does almost every symbol.
Give me evidence that GOD exists (not Jesus, i believe that MAN walked the earth, but he was far from holy) and i will proudly turn to God and denounce Atheism and spread the word. But I'm positive that there is no hard evidence of God existing.
if god did exist, atheism would be less of an insult to him than religion.
I must say that what Faith is in believing in the unseen. You can't see pain, but it is there. You can't see the wind, but still it is there.I am a scientist major and to answer the question to find what created a fossil and then who created that and it keeps going. So if you believe in the devil or satan and you can't see him or it and where did you prove that was real. The upside down cross by itself was when Peter said that he wasn't worthy to be on the cross and died the way Jesus did. So that doesn't mean what you think it is. So if we all are making up stories of Jesus then you are doing the samething by bmaking up story of Satan. Who said that any of that and him exsist. So where did you get your facts from. I can go on and on of the things you can't feel, see and touch. So is this real or not. Go place your hand on the hot stove and leave it there? Do you feel pain? You can't see pain and who is to even say that you really feel it? SO IS THIS REAL!!!!!
If you took time to truly observe and study Christianity, you would see that Christians aren't cannibals. In Matthew 26:26-28 it says "Jesus took the bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this if my body." And he took a cup and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
The bread and the drink are symbols of his body and blood which he shed for you and I so that we may live in paradise forever.
have you noticed that the person with the negativity to Christianity never lets us know his name (Anonymous) maybe he is afraid that he may come into the light and be ashamed? its easy to be negative if you never have to be responsible.
One more than why do self professed atheists spend so much time hating expressing their hate for God? if they don't believe in Him, they should just ignore Him. But the fact is their soul desire God and the answer to their hate in in Him only.
Anonymous, it is very easy for one to make findings that support our claims if we look for them. It is scientific practice to attempt to remain as non-biased as possible. We must keep our minds open to truly find answers in life, whether they favor our claims or not.
Your statement that God must be a sadist is idiotic. According to Christianity, we live this life to prove ourselves to God, not for God to prove himself to us. Besides, your aggression and hatred isn't necessarily the attitude to approach seeking help with.
And to Anonymoose... Your claim on cannibalism is an idiotic, childish one and we all know that. Satanism is an Atheistic form of religion- you should do your reading. Jesus's teachings are good ones that help to strive for a kind and loving life, which you can reject all you want, but in the end the kind are good regardless of what you think. Also, we can never be so sure as to the fate of animals but it is not our concern, what becomes of them so there is no point in it being in a Bible intended for humans. Maybe search for a deeper meaning in this world, rather than trying so hard to rebel against something you're so sure of.
You two just kind of remind me of pissed off metalheads... I'd know, considering as how I'm a metalhead and for the longest time, I was pretty angry at the world too. I'm not telling you to believe in god and I will neither confirm nor deny any such belief as far as myself is concerned, but I will say: there are lessons to be learned by different world religions. Try not to be so critical of something it's clear you don't understand and maybe open your mind a little.
By the way, my name is Devon. I figured I'd mention that since I'm technically Anonymous too.
I love God and he is my Father, Lord and Savior. I am a lesbian, but he still loves me.
"I must say that what Faith is in believing in the unseen. You can't see pain, but it is there. You can't see the wind, but still it is there"
Oh, i see, so anything we can't see is real? Sure, because that makes sense.
No, i can't see pain even thought it exists, but pain does not claim to be an omniscient almighty entity that created everything. Nor does the wind.
I may not believe in God in a traditional way, as an entity or force. I'd say god is a feeling, or maybe when we suddenly get a great idea. So i don't completely reject Christianity, but i think it needs some renovation.
I have Jesus around my neck everyday, for completely non-religious reasons. I just think he was a good guy, and thats that.
@Terri I'm becoming a Christian but isn't homosexuality a sin?
I don't want people to think that I am justifying any sin when I say that yes homosexuality is sin, however so is looking at a women with lust in your eyes, or taking a pen form work, or failing to put money in a parking meter. All of us sin. But the requirement for God is that we repent from our sin. Each one of us have a different cross to bear (a collection of our favorite sins we must repent from)
In repenting we not only ask God's forgiveness for the sin, but we allow God to transform our soul through reading of our bible and daily prayer. Transformation of our soul includes
1. Our thinking (mind) whereby our mind is convinced that the sin is wrong,
2. our emotions, become contrite, brought to a place whereby we abhorre that particular sin
3. our desires (will) are converted so that we no longer want to do that sin
Here is a little more detail on each of these.
Conviction (mind) is where sin is admitted, a sinner must see himself as guilty this is the intellectual element of repentance whereby the view of sin has changed, sin becomes personal, he see himself as deserving hell because he realizes that he has sinned against God (vertical) not against man(horizontal) The bible teaches repentance toward God ( Acts 20:21) that sin is against God (Psalm 51:4) (Genesis 39:7-9)
Contrition (emotions) is where sin is abhorred, when an unregenerate man see himself as God see him, he hates the sin he has committed, and then he is brought to a place of godly sorrow. This is the emotional element of repentance whereby the feeling toward his sin has changed, thereby manifesting itself in the form of sorrow for the sin committed against a Holy God (Psa. 38:18)
Conversion (will and Desires) is where sin is abandoned; the sinner now turns from his sinful way toward Godly ways. It is important to stress that just forsaking sin is not enough; it is the turning toward God that is required (Acts 26:18, 20). This is the volitional element of repentance whereby a change of purpose of his actions goes from past lascivious affections to seeking pardon and the cleansing through Christ Jesus. ( Isaiah 55:7)
Repentance is turning from sin; and faith is turning to Christ. Repentance comes about through the convicting power of the Spirit of God using the Word of God (teaching or just reading your bible) to cause a change of attitude, action, and affection.
I am 15 years old, and my eyes tear up tremendously when I read all of those horrible comments of the non-beilievers. Everytime there is a debate on whether God/Jesus is real or not science is always brought up into it! Science or scientist contradict the Bible! On top of that, they can take words and turn them around. Looking for something to prove wrong, but there is NO WRONG. Miracles are real..testimonies are true...ALL OF US being here today wouldn't even be possible without JESUS! He's been so good to us, and he still loves those who condemn him to this very day. All of that unnecessary, foolishness is what you researched right? Faith is the key. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, but not seen! Get your life together people. God is REAL & HE is REAL in my soul. Have a blessed day.
For so many youth they are drawn away for the truth that is in Christ Jesus. But I pray that this will not happen to you Stay strong in your faith through daily prayer, reading your word and studying the bible.
God bless you
Thank you Firespeaks, for God be the glory. I tried to minister to kids in my grade. Needless to say, it was useless. The parents should've brought their kids up the way mine did. For even the Bible says, train up your child in they way he should go. Smh. Much of that doesn't happen today. I'm just glad to say that my parents made sure my behind was doing something productive in my ministry to glorify God.
People created an "afterlife" due to the fear of ending. People made this afterlife to help cope with the great fear that almost everyone has. As i feel the lessons are great, i can not feel that god is real.
Maybe you can't feel God because you have no relationship with him. Whether you can feel his presence or not he is always there. Also, you will have to seek him. Or chase after him. You have to feel the desire in your heart to not only grow a relationship but to feel his presence. Do you know what faith is?? You will need to have it because believing is the key. Even if you can't see him or feel him, like I said. He is always there.
Stuff like that shows how much people need to grow up...& let's all stop being followers & take lead. The time to that is right now.
Hi, so today my fiance opened his bedroom door and on the door (the part that when closed you cannot see) there was an upside down cross. We do not know how it got there. I would like to know what that means. We have had several strange experiences in this house which I believe might have something to do with demons. I myself have heard things and felt strange presences which became worse after we used a Ouija board. We talked to with something on the board which informed us of their name and told us when we would die. I made my fiance destroy the board and bury it in the back yard. While he was doing this, I received a strange phone call. Which I did not answer, I have dealt with strange things since I was little, such as seeing what I thought we angels and hearing my name.
Since burying the board things calmed down a lot. I am very worried about what the cross means. If I could possibly have a Christian definition of the marking of an upside down cross on the door, please, I would very much appreciate this.
I am telling the truth.
I hope that you do not take this as a joke.
Hi, so today my fiance opened his bedroom door and on the door (the part that when closed you cannot see) there was an upside down cross. We do not know how it got there. I would like to know what that means. We have had several strange experiences in this house which I believe might have something to do with demons. I myself have heard things and felt strange presences which became worse after we used a Ouija board. We talked to with something on the board which informed us of their name and told us when we would die. I made my fiance destroy the board and bury it in the back yard. While he was doing this, I received a strange phone call. Which I did not answer, I have dealt with strange things since I was little, such as seeing what I thought we angels and hearing my name.
Since burying the board things calmed down a lot. I am very worried about what the cross means. If I could possibly have a Christian definition of the marking of an upside down cross on the door, please, I would very much appreciate this.
I am telling the truth.
I hope that you do not take this as a joke.
I would like to state my opinion on something, if I may.
I am 18 years old.
I may not be the most intelligent person or the most knowledgeable,but I do know that Homosexuality is not a sin. I fully respect the Christian faith and the people who abide by the bible. I am not disrespecting anyone of any faith in fact, all I am stating is that if God loves sinners, and we are all sinners, what gives us the right to interpret the Bible in such terms? God lives in the souls and hearts and minds of people, he is forever present. But he is not physically walking this earth right now, neither is he verbally speaking to any of us. Homosexuality is defined as 'lust', or worded differently in different Bibles. In reality, people who are 'strait' also have sexual intercourse due to lust without marriage or loving each other.
I don't see how Homosexuality is wrong, the way I see it, you don't need a Bible, a Church or even a cross, you need faith. If you are attracted to a man and you are a man, I believe that it is the same as if a man was attracted to a woman. If a man loves a man, I believe that it is the same as if I man was attracted to a woman.
Jesus wanted us to treat each other as equals. He wanted us to believe in Him. He wanted us to love one another. Who are we to judge homosexuals due to few biblical verses which were written several thousand years ago. The Bible is prevalent, yes. But it does not account for the changes in society.
In Jerusalem, there was slavery, there was prostitution and in that day and age, I have seen evidence and read about obvious homosexuality. I am agnostic, I believe in proof. I am not a lost soul. I am not defying the Bible. I am stating that in reality of our culture and time period, the Bible did not account for change.
Homosexuality is not wrong.
But judging another person due to their sexual attraction to the same sex is disgusting.
In return for me having an opinion,
I don't want any biblical references or scripture verses.
I was raised an Orthodox Christian, which is one of the older roots of Christianity and therefore am very aware of the books of the Bible.
I will not be told I am wrong for having an opinion and being so young.
I won't say that I am right, or that anyone who disagrees is wrong, but I believe I have stated several valid points. Thank you
Hello I have partially studied the paranormal. An ouija board is a terrible thing to have the number one rule is if you use it and things start to happen DO NOT destroy it for the portal that the spirts communicates through remains open. And allows them to enter put world in this Case your house. I would call a priest to bless the house and to remove the cross you found. Remeber anything dealing with spirits and deamons can have horrible affects.
christ, son of god.but mary married Joseph, god is an adulter? what is christ? god's name was jehovah? in a name dictionary it means I am maybe god is just a state of mind
I would just like to add my opinion as refards to what the upside down symbol represents as i myself have a tattoo of an upside down cross spanning from the centre of my stomach to the top of my chest. I got this tattoo as a representation towards the inperfection within society. To show that not one person is perfect. I personally dont believe an upside down cross is a sign of the devil or anything like that! People use symbols in the wrong ways frequently... For example the 'nazi symbol' was actually a design on a famous building within europe and then was then chose to be used as a symbol for much worse. I guess what im trying to get at is that its important to look back into history as far as possible to gain the correct knowledge as to what the symbol was origionally made to stand for rather than looking at its slanderous new found meanings.
The fact that so many of you are on here discussing God and the ways in which people who believe in God live and the people who " don't believe " live and feel about him shows that no matter what you do or say God is in your heart. You self proclaimed atheists talk about him all the time because you're trying to prove to yourself that he isn't real but inside your heart he is telling you he is real he is the 1 making you think about this. He is the 1 who want you to find him and discover him. no matter how hard you try no matter how many upside down cross tattoos you get or how much face paint you where he is in you making you think making you feel different because through this learning experience you will find him and he knows it. You are already 100 percent complete believers and you don't even know it. stop fighting him and listen.
U gotta believe in wat u think im a Christian with the cross tattooed and it says DIOS ANDA CONMIGO witch is god is with me in Spanish n my best friend rocks the upside down cross and has it tatted n we still got respect for eachother
So today I decided to go to church It's been years since I have gone to church while I was there praying I realized that They had a upside down cross it was like a box shape with the cross like engraved but upside down, it bothered me so I went to office thinking someone had place it upside down my accident and a man was there and asked how he could help so I told him my concern and he said oh Yes that's a controversial topic and he started talking about st peter and tell me that I dnt have strong faith and that my belief In God is not strong ect.. with him tell me that I felt offended and I told him and who are you to know how much faith I have are you God I dnt think so, now if he would have left it in They have the cross that way because of st peter ok I get it but then he said oh those r vases that sm one made and gave to church and They accidentally put lid on wrong side and we use them but put a cloth over it to cover it up, and we actually have 6 the same way. Oh and the guy was the deacon, what do u guys think about this?
I'm a Christian
This comment has been removed by the author.
when you wear or do things just because they're "in" or a a trend with no regards to why youre doing it, your unknowingly subjecting yourself to promote that image or action. When you buy a product that uses animal testing, inhumanely slaughters, uses harmful additives and underpays the workers, even when you're without knowledge about it, youre supporting it's practice by paying for that product. it's the same with this trend and anything else. the upside down cross may have initially meant this respect and inferiority to christ, but it's still commonly used to represent the exact opposite. it's meaning still has negative affiliations and this inverted cross trend. when you subject yourself to be swayed by advertisements that don't make sense and address factual statements, watch programs that depict pure stupidity or listen to music with TERRIBLE lyrics with no substantial meaning, it's just complete brainwashing. please wake up. this inverted cross trend isn;t just some harmless style.
..when you wear or do things just because they're "in" or a a trend with no regards to why youre doing it, your unknowingly subjecting yourself to promote that image or action. When you buy a product that uses animal testing, inhumanely slaughters, uses harmful additives and underpays the workers, even when you're without knowledge about it, youre supporting it's practice by paying for that product. it's the same with this trend and anything else. the upside down cross may have initially meant this respect and inferiority to christ, but it's still commonly used to represent the exact opposite. it's meaning still has negative affiliations and this inverted cross trend. when you subject yourself to be swayed by advertisements that don't make sense and address factual statements, watch programs that depict pure stupidity or listen to music with TERRIBLE lyrics with no substantial meaning, it's just complete brainwashing. please wake up. this inverted cross trend isn;t just some harmless style.
Ppl choose to deny what they can't see, touch, feel, etc. Everything isn't meant to have scientific understanding. I know Jesus is real. Not through listening to other ppl stories, reading, internet, etc. He did things for me that I know I couldn't do alone. I can only testify from personal experiences. Hopefully u seek and find the truth in the right place and right time.
How do you think we were created? Yes, u shouldn't fear death. I don't. Us as humans will never know every answer to life questions. Impossible. Noone is perfect. I do know he exist. I know through personal experience. I don't need a rocket scientist to discover anything for me. He created us with our own free will of thinking. We all learn in life. Good or bad. Our choice. Your opinion is your opinion. Mines is mine. I talk through personal experiences U may also. Hopefully u find the answers you are looking for.
How very closed minded of you. This symbol of the inverted cross is to me not a "trend". I have an inverted cross tattooed on me with a scripture under it. I was a drug addict for many years and did many things I was not proud of, but I grew in my faith, got clean and use this symbol to not only remind me of my faith but also minister to others. This kinda old school thinking is sad because it shuts people down to christ and judges them. You cant help it that people will change the meaning of a symbol. I have seen many crosses with skulls and demon faces on them and are refered to as "gothic crosses". What better way to renounce God then use his symbols for evil. The meaning of this cross is unworthiness to christ. Because I am unworthy of his love yet he still loves me, the same as peter felt. I have never been so wake and alive in all my life. I guess some people need to move past their old way of thinking and not judge others or label them as just being trendy when infact this symbol means much more to me then you will understand. Your right about one thing though it isnt a harmless style, it is to me a way of life, thinking and remembering Gods love.
My people die from a lack of knowledge
-God
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