QuakerInfo.com Forum

[petitprince]

Do quakers wear christian religious symbols, such as a crucifix around their necks ? if not then why ? and do you feel that quakers should ?

And if you do wear a crucifix, then why ?

Blessings to you all.

[Lori Ann]

I don't know enough about Quakerism to give you a definite answer but I have a feeling that they don't. I don't think you need physical representations of your faith and connection to God, just the faith and connection.

I think maybe anything that may distract your focus from spiritual "quiet time" is just that, a distraction.

That being said I wear a very old Virgin Mary medal (gift from gramps) as well as a tiny gold crucifix (gift from husband) all the time. They have great sentimental value for me.

I'm sure other more knowledgable people here will be able to answer your question more specifically.

Good to see you again!

Lori Ann

[Anthony]

If I felt the need to wear one I would - even if I shouldn't. I know a Quaker who wears a wooden cross all the time.

[ScottK]

I will echo the positive things they have said above as to absolutely no guilt about wearing what you choose, but answer the question with a historical answer. Traditionally, in our conservative and orthodox Friends Meetings, no one would have worn such religious symbols at all. Remember too that most women would not have worn any jewelry at all anyway...until more modern days that is. But while I think such religious jewelry reflects a non-Quaker background, I hope no Quaker would ever really discourage you if you like them or they mean something to you and you are "clear" as we say, to wear it/them. An attender here at our Meeting wears a cross, but we would never think about "eldering" him in any case (that might well have happened several generations ago)...unless he asked for guidance. No guilt on the minors is my philosphy. Save guilt for the real things that can separate us from God and His Holy Spirit! But religious jewelry as well as most other jewelry would have been discouraged as well as perhaps prohibited for reasons of faith and testimony against symbols and icons, etc.

[petitprince]

thanks for the replies so far, and scottK i understand completly the historical context, etc....i only asked since i've always worn a cross, but recently i lost it, so i was debating with myself whether to buy a new one or not....i think i will, since im used to wearing one, and i feel weird without it !

Blessings

[peggy parsons]

I very often wear a cross - more often than any other jewelry. There is a difference between a cross and a 'crucifix' which depicts a crucified Christ on said cross. I do also have a precious rosary which has a crucifix which sometimes goes in my pocket. Jewelry is very rarely an issue among Friends these days. But I did once have a Friend approach me with the leading to tell me that my cross was offensive to them. I hoped that they felt relieved by expressing their leading. It did not affect my cross wearing.
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Pastor, Freedom Friends Church, Salem Oregon
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[sorianofan]

I cannot speak for other people and do not espouse to be a genuine friend. I have been so busy, I have not gone to a meeting in a month, and missed meetings for a solid 4 months during my first semester of college, literally due to time. I do hope to make as many as I please during the summer.

However, I do have a personal opinion on the subject. I consider the cross or any physical representation of something religious as idoltry. I think God is "I am I am" for a reason- there is no way to describe it without heavily bastardizing it, and nothing does that better than a picture or symbol that has a fondness to it above that normal to other material possessions.

Being that I am only 20, thus young and stupid, I know that my beliefs should be taken with a grain of salt. For example, I'm the kind of person who is so against jewelry that I would not want to even wear a wedding ring. I am sure even an understanding future wife will never allow that!
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Cats rule and that is the truth.

[Top Ramen]

You have the fire of youth that makes older people uncomfortable. The way that gold and other metals are aquired and processed takes a considerable toll on fragile environments in the mountain west and elsewhere in the world. http://www.nodirtygold.org/take_action.cfm
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"Freedom is actually a bigger game than power. Power is about what you can control. Freedom is about what you can unleash." - Harriet Rubin

[acfriend]

I personally believe that the Friend's witness is not a bunch of rules say we can't do thing or wear things. But is one that supports and promotes Holy Living. Before they wore plain clothes to make a statment of not to put your trust in the worldly things, or not to seek the praise of man. THe concept behind the plain clothing still stands. We should make statments about our belief and faith in how we live our lives, the easiest way is in what we wear. For me wearing a cross (or other christian symbol) is one that makes a statment. I too have a rosery, a prayer rope from the Eastern Chruch, and many crosses. Our witness should be spoken in all that we do and say. I feel too many Friends have forgotten our roots and have become ineffective in the world. Friends were started as a witness to the real pressence of Jesus Christ in the world Today. If you feel comfortable wearing a cross, wear it because that is a part of Christ's witness today. But don't wear it if you aren't going to live a life reflecting Him in all that you do.

[Jenny]

[sorianofan]

[acfriend]

Blimey, I'm not sure any of us are quite that perfect... and what about those of us Friends who wouldn't count ourselves as Christian? Not that we would wear a cross anyway, of course.

If Friends are those that follow the teachings of Fox, then they should be happy to count themselves as christians. I know that those that call themselves christians have not always followed the teachings of Christ, but If you really get down to the issue Friends would not be Friends without Christ.

I understand the views of idolatry with crosses, ect. But is it being worn as a lucky charm or a witness. If you wear a cross to keep evil away then it is an idol, but if it is a witness, then that is what it is, a form of communication. In Church history art and pictures was the best way to communicate the gossple since the majority of people could not read. I would not label everyone idol worshippers without knowing their beliefs.

[sorianofan]

Well, did people pray to those obelisks? There were idoltry too. My personal belief is that any material object which has any religious affiliation is an idol. For example, would you (hypothetically) be more likely to destroy a necklace without a cross on it if you were forced to destroy one? If something has an inordinate amount of sentimental value and it happens to be a religious symbol, to me its idoltry. I have always felt, and have felt myself, the allure of a cross or other christian religious symbol to reflect religiousness and to make one feel more religious. However, my belief is that such a feeling is false.
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Cats rule and that is the truth.

[Frank]

An idol is an object that represents something worthy of worship; worshipping that object rather than what it represents is idolatry. I noticed God's handiwork the other day in the shape of a barren oak against a winter sunset and was incredibly moved. That tree, for me at that time, was a kind of idol because it represented God. But I didn't worship it.

The key is to avoid creating false gods for ourselves. It's possible to erect altars in front of our bank accounts, worldly success or beauty. Worshipping there is idolatry, too.

If you choose to dress in a certain way or display an object as a witness, be very careful. If you've got "Jesus" on your back bumper, don't rob a bank, drive drunk, break the speed limit or give the guy who splatters your windshield as he passes the finger.

If you wear a cross around your neck, be prepared to live up to what it represents every minute of every day. No exceptions.

If, as you drape that cross around your neck or put on your "Jesus" T-shirt in the morning, you think: "Now they'll see that I'm a Christian," take it off and focus on living that day as a Christian instead.

[sorianofan]

I think there is a difference in admiring God's creation and literally taking parts of God's creating, matter in the shape of a cross or anything else, and saying now that you shaped it that it represents God. The cross and the plain white t shirt belong to the Creator and represent it equally in mine eyes.

Your argument of self identification does make sense. However, in our society that honors superficial things with mob bosses that wear cross necklaces along side people who are trying to make a statement, I find it improbable whether a statement is made. In fact, and it pains me to say this, I believe that the statement is in part a mere ornament to the owner. An ornament that represents something yes, but it represents something no more than any other material object. Thyat's why I believe abstract principles should be left to words. I can be totally wrong. I am probably not understanding the emotion that people share that justifies their action. It is my lack of understanding that leaves me to understand no other conclusion.


A woman on the train heard me talking to my grandmother on the phone. I was talking about religion for about 5 minutes and then went on to talk about how great the movie Paparazzi was. Before she left, she handed me rosary beads, with a cross and virgin mary, and said god bless. I quickly thanked her, though I wa befuddled. This does not happen everyday on Metronorth.

I wonder if she was doing it because it was nice to see someone my age seriously talking about religion publicly without trying to convert people or my comment in the middle of an otherwise casual conversation, "I believe God is all-powerful Grandma. I don't believe in the saints, why would God need a mediator?" My grandmother is Catholic. Who knows. All that is important that she loved her neighbor and loved her God. The specifics, whether rosary beads, crosses, or the lack of representations are infinitely less important. I believe that idols (my definition is broad) distract me in my pursuit of spiritual truth. I can only hope that is not the case among others, but I honestly do not think it is.

At least my grandmother will be able to enjoy the beads!
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Cats rule and that is the truth.