I have recently bought a nexklace with cross on it. I am not at all religious but would love to believe in a higher being; But dont at all. Is it hypercritical to wear this cross? or can I wear it as a sign that I wish I could? Is there any profound symbols I could replace it with? welcome all ideas
Whatever you believe in, religious or not, doesn't have to be advertised by some form of appendage.
It sounds like you are looking for answers in your life beyond just wearing a necklace.
How about an ankh, the egyptian symbol of life?,it's like a cross with a loop on the top and very pretty.Look up it's spiritual meaning on wikipedia or search on web.
Sounds like you bought it as an ornament, nothing at all to stop you wearing it if you like it, I know plenty of people who wear the Mogan Dovid, (Star of David), who aren't Jewish.
Obviously, by wearing it, your saying to all and sundry that your a Chistian, but thats it.
In the end, you wear what you like, for whatever reason.
if jesus had been executed recently then his symbol would have been an electric chair.Not sure that ANY instrument of death reflects a higher power (whatever that might mean). Wear what you feel comfortable with
Wear it and don't worry about it, it is just a piece of jewelery to you, if anybody else See's it as something different, that's up to them, don't let it bother you.
I do understand your feeling about being hypocritical, although In itself a cross has no magical or spiritual properties.
It is after all just a piece of jewellery as RATTER says - and fashioned by human hands, but if it makes you feel uncomfortable then don't wear it.
Might sound silly but I was told the cross was a variation of a pagan symbol ( the upturned swastika) which has had the ends bent back, they also said that the church stole the idea of the pagans. It actually symbolises the four elements of fire, air, water and earth. Ok i know that they are not actually elements but you get the jist.
i wonder if deep down you do believe in something and you can do that without being religious otherwise you are saying you went to buy a necklace and you chose a cross as a pendant or for decoration when you could have had anything hanging from a chain.
(Exodus 20:4-5) �You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. 5�You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me;
A Cross is a form. It is worshipped by being kissed and fondled. It is NOT what God wants.