Myth Apparel

I think it would be giving glory to a false idol. Would you wear a pendant of Buddha, or an Islamic headcap, or a satanic black mass cross? No? Then don't wear such a symbol.
Also, mythological symbols have demons attached to them, from what I've heard. Remember, they once represented false "gods."

Originally posted by Susan
Would you wear a.. satanic black mass cross?

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The Pope does!

Btw, Buddhists do not worship the Buddha as a deity, they don't even believe in a God.. You may want to actually study other religions before you condemn them.

Also, mythological symbols have demons attached to them, from what I've heard.

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Demons are not real.

Originally posted by humblejoe
How would nonChristians view me? Is it wrong to wear a symbol that you admire for its beauty and story, and yet do not base your spirituality in?

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No, it's not wrong.

Originally posted by humblejoe
I study mythology in general, with emphasis in Anglosaxon and Scandinavian myth. I view the stories, artifacts, symbols, etc. of these myths as beautiful and intriguing.

What if, for example, I were to wear a pendant with a Norse mythological theme, like Thor's Hammer, merely because I liked the story and found the symbol attractive? Is this acceptable for a Christian? If I did this, how would Christians view me? How would nonChristians view me? Is it wrong to wear a symbol that you admire for its beauty and story, and yet do not base your spirituality in?

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That's what I think about screen names too, BTW, including names of demons (Azrael) or numbers.

Originally posted by humblejoe
I study mythology in general, with emphasis in Anglosaxon and Scandinavian myth. I view the stories, artifacts, symbols, etc. of these myths as beautiful and intriguing.

What if, for example, I were to wear a pendant with a Norse mythological theme, like Thor's Hammer, merely because I liked the story and found the symbol attractive? Is this acceptable for a Christian? If I did this, how would Christians view me? How would nonChristians view me? Is it wrong to wear a symbol that you admire for its beauty and story, and yet do not base your spirituality in?

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If you are wearing it for ornamental reasons, I can't see the harm in it. Unless you have a spiritual attachment to it, then I can't see how it would qualify as an "idol" of any sort.

I think a non-Christian would have no opinion on your choice beyond whether they thought it was visually attractive or not.

Some Christians might look down on it, though.

Originally posted by humblejoe
What if, for example, I were to wear a pendant with a Norse mythological theme, like Thor's Hammer, merely because I liked the story and found the symbol attractive? Is this acceptable for a Christian? If I did this, how would Christians view me? How would nonChristians view me? Is it wrong to wear a symbol that you admire for its beauty and story, and yet do not base your spirituality in?

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I think how non-Christians would view you is a non issue as they would either have no problem with it or they would find something else to judge you on if it wasn't the pendant. As far as Christians go, I refer you to the following:

Romans 14:20-22
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

Even if this is something that you feel is not detrimental to your spiritual growth I would encourage you to consider the feelings of your Christian brethren who might not be so mature. If it causes your brother to stumble it's something that you should forego, at least in their presence.

Hope this helps,
God bless.

Really, a symbol of a false god, or Idol, is anything you pay homage to or worship other than the one true God.

I carry money in my wallet. For some people, money is an idol. For me, its so I can eat lunch and purchase necessities.

I occasionally wear a celtic ring. Not because I worship pagan gods, but much of my family history is celtic. I find that particular society interesting.

If you want to carry a replica of Thor's hammer around because it's "cool" go ahead. The problem starts arising when you start to pay homage to Thor and neglect and deny the one true God.

-A

Originally posted by humblejoe
Some Christians, esp. fundamentalists, justify an abhorrence of such things with the same argument they use to justify the abhorrence of alcohol and gambling establishments.

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Again, this is simply due to a lack of maturity. It is a lack, however, that as a loving Christian you should be mindful of. If drinking alcohol offends the Christian sensibilities of one of your brethren then what should you do? Just don't do it in their presence. Simple.

If it's Christians, then why should I worry? Why would I care?

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I didn't say worry. I said be mindful. This must be done out of a spirit of love. To try and justify the rights and freedoms that have been given to you by Christ even unto the detriment of another's moral well being is just not worth it. And, it's disobedient to God. Remember, Jesus commanded us to "love the Lord with all your heart soul and mind and love your neighbor as you love yourself" (Matt 22:37-39). With the freedoms we have in Christ comes the responsibility to consider others.

On the other hand, what are some examples of how it could become a stumbling block to Christian brethren, esp. new ones, that do not necessarily condemn me outright for it? How could me wearing such a thing lead them into sin?

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Well, if another Christian is caught in the trap of thinking that they are still, in some way, justified by the Law, they would put more emphasis than necessary on their works. For instance, most Christians pray before meals or before reading the Bible. These are habits. What would you say if you had a fellow Christian over to dinner and you forgot to pray and they asked you about it? What you shouldn't do is be consumed by forgetting to follow a ritual. What if you wanted a beer and your brother in Christ thought it was wrong? What should you do? Well, you would, of course, not have one in their presence. Jesus said, "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-- even as I try to please everybody in every way." Jesus knew what His freedoms were. However, not causing a brother to stumble was a lot more important to Him than utilizing the knowledge that He was free to eat meat. Also, notice these verses:

Rom 14:15
Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love.

Rom 14:22
Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Hope this helps.

God bless.

Originally posted by humblejoe
I study mythology in general, with emphasis in Anglosaxon and Scandinavian myth. I view the stories, artifacts, symbols, etc. of these myths as beautiful and intriguing.

What if, for example, I were to wear a pendant with a Norse mythological theme, like Thor's Hammer, merely because I liked the story and found the symbol attractive? Is this acceptable for a Christian? If I did this, how would Christians view me? How would nonChristians view me? Is it wrong to wear a symbol that you admire for its beauty and story, and yet do not base your spirituality in?

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Hi!
I think the King James puts it this way? "to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin"

So it must be your call?
Pastor N.B.

Again, this is simply due to a lack of maturity. It is a lack, however, that as a loving Christian you should be mindful of. If drinking alcohol offends the Christian sensibilities of one of your brethren then what should you do? Just don't do it in their presence. Simple.

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And it could be asked, what business is it of a Christian to have "sensibilities" about a matter which is unmistakably in order for a Christian to do?

I've run into the same problems, humbejoe. In order to avert a nasty confrontation with my exceedingly close-minded family, I have to hide my mythology books and X-Files stuff when they come over. Maybe one day I'll get a chance to explain it to them in a way they can accept - however, showing that I've already bought into it completely is just going to make them throw up their hands and weep in their prayer closets for my salvation.

That thing about making your brother stumble is tricky. I think that you can make him stumble only if whatever you're doing is done incautiously. I don't think that introducing the pleasure and value of mythology to a brother carries the danger of making people fall into sin, unlike introducing a weakness like drunkenness and gambling into a young Christian's life.

Thor's hammer? Who's going to recognize that? Chances, are, your offendable Fundamentalist friends won't. I'd say go for it, but just don't broadcast it until you know their ability to understand your convictions.

Originally posted by Thunderchild

And it could be asked, what business is it of a Christian to have "sensibilities" about a matter which is unmistakably in order for a Christian to do?

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Thought I just answered that? Lack. Of. Maturity.

Some people have a problem judging the actions of others and unrightly so. It basically boils down to loving your neighbor. If you're doing something you have been given the freedom to do by God, God tells us to be mindful of the effects of those who don't understand our freedoms, even other Christians. If we cause a brother to stumbe because of what we know, then God says we don't really know what we're supposed to, which is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

God bless.

Originally posted by humblejoe
Reformationist,

Could you give me a specific example of a hypothetical situation where me wearing a mythological symbol could lead a brother into sin, and could you give a specific example of what that sin would be? Thanks

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Okay. I'll try. Let's say you are hanging out with some Christian friends who are less mature in their faith than you or maybe they don't realize that you're just wearing the pendant because you like the design. One of them notices that you are wearing a pendant depicting a Greek god. They might not say something to you directly but maybe to one of the others. They start murmuring to each other and being judgemental of you. Let's say you notice. You ask, "What's wrong?" They tell you they think it's wrong for you to wear such a thing because it is a false god and a Christian shouldn't do that.

Now, let me be clear. I didn't say it was sinful for you to wear it. And, I don't condone their judgmental thoughts. What I'm saying is that if they said you shouldn't be wearing it what is more important, your right to wear whatever necklace you want or your love and concern for their feelings? What makes your actions sinful is if you show a lack of regard for the feelings of those you are commanded to love.

An example that is easier to understand is something women face a lot. Imagine a woman works hard to get in shape and after a lot of effort she gets to the point where she looks very attractive. Let's say that she gets a nice tan and she and her husband have a pool party at their house. Theoretically, there is nothing wrong with her wearing a bikini, at least a tasteful one. What if one of the guys comes over and it causes him to lust. Should she be mindful of that and maybe go put a wrap on? Probably. A better option might be to wear a bathing suit that covers her a little better when an immature Christian is around. Or, same scenario, one of the women notices the attention the woman is getting and is jealous or envious of the bikini lady's body. The point I'm making is that we should ask ourselves if it is more important to consider the feelings of those around you than to fulfill your own desires. As long as you are glorifying to God in your actions the answer to this dilemma is easily solved. Now imagine the bikini isn't stumbling to those around her. In that case, as long as the reason the woman wears it isn't to promote the lust of another there is nothing wrong with it.

Hope this helps. Remember, the point is the love you have for others, not the freedoms you have been given by Jesus freeing you from your inability to be justified by the Law.

God bless.

I'm not a Christian and I wear an ankh. I have family members who are Christians and I know it would bother them if I were to show it so I just tuck it into my shirt. Our beliefs may be different but I do respect them.

I don't find anything wrong with you wanting to wear a piece of jewerly. Thats all it is to you. If you are around someone it bothers, just tuck it in your shirt.

Scattered throughout my house I have different religious symbols. In each of my children's rooms there is a Native American Dream Catcher. I have Buddhism, New Age, ect.All things that I've collected over the years. My husband travels to Asia occasionally on business and brings more stuff home.
They're beautiful and representive of different countries and cultures. I don't see the problem with them.
My den has turned into a shrine for StarTrek and X-Files. I have the "I Want to Believe" poster that Didaskomenos has as an avatar.
I have a bunch of little aliens running around my house too..no wait, those are kids..

Originally posted by humblejoe
Reformationist,

Could you give me a specific example of a hypothetical situation where me wearing a mythological symbol could lead a brother into sin, and could you give a specific example of what that sin would be? Thanks

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Hi,
can 'i' jump in here? Specific examples might be like cancer, for starters?
Little by little. Whatever the issue is! Food, drink, dress, or whatever perhaps? Lets use religon, seen in possible decay?

Are we better say, in the U.S.A. in morals than when great grand maws & paws were around? Just some thoughts Can we confortably pick up hitchhiker today?
Why not? The reason, might it be loose standards, and lax liberal views?
And do we need to lock our doors at night or can we be non/presumptous by leaving them like mom & dad could, unlocked?? What kind of standards do we see liberalized in churchs today? (or just flat out sacked?)

How about Christian morals? Our apparel, what we call dresses, & swim suits today are quite the thing, huh? And some of these x rated movies that cabel ('s'atan?) brings into most of [our living rooms] I suppect?
(good spiritual food, huh?) Even the commercials today would shock most grand daddies of yesterday? Where does it stop with standards all or mostly tossed, & only believe being the battle cry? We have not seen anything yet it seems! (or so said great, great, pops) You know, Pappa Jude 7? or the Son of God's relick from Matt. 24:37-39? Matt. 25:5.

And whats behind many of the pulpits today? And, are there out of the closet [open] sinners in membership? Unless pops was all wet with his perverted sin stuff, O'maybe that was great pops who was not even a Christian in proffession, who said that we will see Gen. 19 repeated again?? Wow! would he be called off his cottin picken rocker if he had told us then, a 'hypothetical situation' that the Roman Catholic denomination would be rocked with these daily news reports?

And how did this start might be of interest? Little by little like a cancer Pops would have told us! It was reported on world news that USA priests are 1 in 4 times more infected with the aids virus than the average USA male citizen. And you think that Catholics have an issue all alone with this? don't hold your breath as Pops always said, 'whatsoever a man sows that he will also reap'! But what does food have to do with it huh?

The above makes me think of the court case between the Tradmarked Seventh-day Advents denomination & the 'Kinship' Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Kinship SDA are open out of the closet honesexuals who meet in their own organized denomination. The law suit was brought about because these folk were using the tradmarked name Seventh-day Adventist by their Mother denomination.

Most or many of these being sued were holding a dual SDA membership. But, mind you, they were not being dis/fellowshiped or sued for being in open public sin, but were being sued because they were organized into a denomination using this trademarked name. You know, the dollars were going elsewhere? Now who would pops say were a [symbol] of the two, for the times??? He would tell me to read Rev. 18:4 and say LOOK, it is an ETERNAL LIFE AND AN ETERNAL DEATH DECISION!!!

So bottom line in closing! Pops would tell us, lower the standards & pay the price! But that old nut, he has been dead for years huh? says some? Besides he voted --------, aw, that didn't matter either! Yet, read 2 Peter 3:9-14 for that old timers belief! AND THE SURE WORD OF GOD!!

Then 'i' (today) wonder what the teaching of 'once saved always saved' has accomplished? On & on we go, and where it stops we are told!
Pastor N.B.

Originally posted by MysticalSoul
I'm not a Christian and I wear an ankh. I have family members who are Christians and I know it would bother them if I were to show it so I just tuck it into my shirt. Our beliefs may be different but I do respect them.

I don't find anything wrong with you wanting to wear a piece of jewerly. Thats all it is to you. If you are around someone it bothers, just tuck it in your shirt.

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Pastor N.B. here:
You would make a fine Christian! How do you know that you are not a Christian?? Read Rom. 2:14-15!