I have not read all the posts here. I would like to communicate about these things >
I feed on Ephesians 5:2 >
"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)
This scripture for me shows that the cross represents our example of how to love. Jesus on the cross had hope for any evil person, at all; so this is our example of how we need to also love with hope for any and all people, and pray accordingly >
"first of all" > 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
Possibly that is an overreaction of people who live where there is a culture of Mormonism. I mean ones who say this could believe Mormons hate the cross, and so they are wearing crosses to make a stand for the cross, and so they believe that if you do not wear a cross for such a reason, this means you are afraid and ashamed to take a stand with them.
But I offer it can be normal for a number of TV and local ministers to say that wearing a cross means nothing, but what matters is what God sees in your heart > we need to trust in Jesus on the cross, for the forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God and salvation.
As you can see, I find Ephesians 5:2 to mean the cross is about God's unconditional and all-caring love, and this is our example required also of us.
So, it is not only about life or death or impressive suffering, but how love is. But, yes, Jesus on the cross was there to die for our sins. But He was multi-tasking