Crossing yourself

[Canadian75]

I was wondering if crossing yourself is practiced by any members here or by anyone they know from their church? I know that crossing oneself is an old practice and done by members of various denoms (not just Catholics and Orthodox).

 

[SumTinWong]

Not that i am aware of but perhaps some people who once were Catholics still do this ?

 

[Matthan]

I've been a baptist for around five decades, and not once have I ever witnessed any fellow Baptist cross him or herself.

Furthermore, in some Baptist congregations were someone to "cross" themselves, it would no doubt be little short of scandelous. Deacons would hyper-ventilate, widows would swoon, and a business meeting would be called for the following Tuesday!

Matthan <J><

 

[SumTinWong]

Lol

 

[SumTinWong]

We actually have a plethora of ex-Catholics that still say tresspasses instead of debts in the Lord's Prayer. I even catch myself saying it from time to time because that is how I learned it as a child.

 

[ZiSunka]

Nope, that was one of the first things I gave up when I left catholicism. I never really "got it" though, so I only did it grudgingly when I was growing up. It seemed a little like ritual and I've never been one for ritual. I think God hears me when I pray whether I announce myself by crossing or not.

The rest of my family still does it, but they are also still catholic.

 

[Unnamed Servant]

I have always wondered what people that cross themselves would be doing today if Jesus would have been stoned.

 

[SumTinWong]

hahaha... Oh man I cannot tell you the thought that jsut went through my mind

 

[ZiSunka]

UB, presbyterians, episcopals and most anabaptists say tresspasses and not debts. Lots of protestants say tresspasses, maybe more than say debts.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I've been a baptist for around five decades, and not once have I ever witnessed any fellow Baptist cross him or herself.

Furthermore, in some Baptist congregations were someone to "cross" themselves, it would no doubt be little short of scandelous. Deacons would hyper-ventilate, widows would swoon, and a business meeting would be called for the following Tuesday!

Matthan <J><

LOL.

Our church is holding a suprise "business meeting" next week. Fortunately it is about a potential addition and not a potential excommunication.

 

[ZiSunka]

I have always wondered what people that cross themselves would be doing today if Jesus would have been stoned.

I had no idea Jesus used drugs.

Oh wait, you mean executed by stoning, don't you. I guess my days at Kent State influenced me more than I think.

 

[Canadian75]

Thanks for the answers. Some were quite creative. I've seen Lutherans and Anglicans cross themselves, didn't know if any other protestants did it.

 

[Lockheed]

Lutherans of the LCMS and ELS traditions often cross themselves during services.

 

[desert_island_1]

I used to cross myself but that was because I was forced to go to a Catholic school for 9 years. I really dislike it and havent done it since I was allowed to go to a public school. I know a few people who cross themselves but that is just out of habit and going to a Catholic school / being raised as a kid Catholic (most of them are Naz. now)

 

[Diane_Windsor]

From my post in the Methodist Forum:

I do so in my private prayers, and I also cross myself before/after receiving communion. I catch myself sometimes cross myself during Baptist services out of habit. I strongly encourage others to adopt the practice.

I'll add that I cross myself nearly everytime I hear of a death, and did so this past Sunday at a Methodist service. I'll say a short prayer for the deceased as well.

Diane

 

[bleechers]

From my post in the Methodist Forum:

I do so in my private prayers, and I also cross myself before/after receiving communion. I catch myself sometimes cross myself during Baptist services out of habit. I strongly encourage others to adopt the practice.

I'll add that I cross myself nearly everytime I hear of a death, and did so this past Sunday at a Methodist service. I'll say a short prayer for the deceased as well.

Diane

I strongly DISCOURAGE it. It has no place in scripture and is a form of superstition. It is a man-made ritual.

Why do you pray for the dead?

How would crossing yourself help the dead even if you believed it wasn't too late? Do you really believe that the blood of Christ is insufficient for God, but that your prayers and "crossing" yourself can help obtain mercy from God for a dead man?

 

[lucypevensie]

Hopefully, someone will answer my question. Could someone please tell me why people make the cross, and what does it mean/do?

 

[Canadian75]

I found this definition:

Sign of the Cross:

A gesture describing the form of a cross, made in token of faith in Jesus or as an invocation of God's blessing.



It is mainly used by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans and I've seen some Lutherans cross themselves. I'm not so sure about other denoms. That's why I posted the original question. I personally don't see any harm in it, unless one wants to avoid being called a Catholic. I've always seen it as a word-less way of asking for God's blessing, a physical gesture to show our faith, and a symbolic act of "clothing ourselves in Christ."

Peace.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

Hopefully, someone will answer my question. Could someone please tell me why people make the cross, and what does it mean/do?

Have you asked in the other forums?

Scripture, Tradition, Reason - Anglican
One Bread, One Body - Catholic
The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox
Coptic & Oriental Orthodox
Theologia Crucis - Confessional Lutherans

I found this at a Disciples of Christ minister's website: How to Cross Yourself

Here is a an article from the Catholic Encyclopedia: Sign of the Cross

I'm sure members of the above forums can give you more information.

When I cross myself it reminds me that I am a Christian, and that Christ died for me. It is a highly symbolic gesture for me.

Diane

 

[DawnTillery]

I was wondering if crossing yourself is practiced by any members here or by anyone they know from their church? I know that crossing oneself is an old practice and done by members of various denoms (not just Catholics and Orthodox).

Question?? What is Crossing yourself?
and where does the "tresspasses" in the Lords Prayer come from?
Because as I was growing up thats the only way I heard it till I worked at an Alzheimers Unit and the Activity aide said the prayer with the residents each afternoon before lunch and he said all three things. (Tresspasses, sins and Debts)