Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: CynicalBear

All spurious.

We include everything from CDs, to DVDs, to fads in our worship settings today. If a preacher pulls a sermon illustration from a book does that mean he endorses the book? Does it mean he rejects it?


1,780 posted on 09/26/2014 7:53:09 AM PDT by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1774 | View Replies ]


To: CynicalBear
Crosses of all kinds found a unique place in early Christianity near to the heart of those persecuted believers.

A Celtic Cross

The Origin of Crossing Your Fingers for Luck

The custom of crossing your fingers for good luck is fairly common. Superstition states that the act of crossing one's index and middle fingers brings good luck and wards off evil spirits or witches. While the origins of this gesture are somewhat murky, it is commonly believed that the sign originated from early Christianity or pre-Christianity. While there is no solid proof of any one theory, the prevalence of crossing your fingers in cultures with a Christian background lends some credence to the claim. This idea is further supported by noting that the gesture is not common among Muslim or Buddhist cultures.

Some historians contend that this gesture pre-dates Christianity and was an early European device. Those who believed in sacred geometry thought that benign spirits lived at the intersection of crosses. These believers would extend their index fingers to make wishes. One person held out his or her finger and made the wish. The second person responded by crossing the finger with his or her own, showing support for the idea and invoking the benign spirits.

The theory of a Christian origin of crossing your fingers is based on early periods in the religion's history. During these early times, Christianity was an outlawed religion and the disciples of Christ usually formed a secret society. To protect the identity of the sect's followers, secret hand signs were developed so the members could recognize each other.

1,787 posted on 09/26/2014 8:08:50 AM PDT by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1780 | View Replies ]

To: xzins
Catholics say;

"The use of temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, and ornamented on occasions with branches of trees; incense, lamps, and candles; votive offerings on recovery from illness; holy water; asylums; holydays and seasons, use of calendars, processions, blessings on the fields; sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure, the ring in marriage, turning to the East, images at a later date, perhaps the ecclesiastical chant, and the Kyrie Eleison, are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the Church.”[John Henry Newman]

"The missionary history of the [Catholic] Church clearly shows her adaptability to all races, all continents, all nations. In her liturgy and her art, in her tradition and the forming of her doctrine, naturally enough she includes Jewish elements, but also elements that are of pagan origin. In certain respects, she has copied her organization from that of the Roman Empire, has preserved and made fruitful the philosophical intuitions of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, borrowed from both Barbarians and the Byzantine Roman Empire—but always remains herself, thoroughly digesting all elements drawn from external sources...In her laws, her ceremonies, her festivals and her devotions, she makes use of local customs after purifying them and "baptizing" them." [Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism]

But scripture says:

Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God:

1,795 posted on 09/26/2014 8:31:36 AM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1780 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson