Did the apostles have a problem with the cross symbol?

Zemmy:

A 4x4"', 10' long pole would easily hold 140+ pounds, and would have weighed a reasonable amount to be dragged, albeit exhaustingly.

HT:

That would be great if there was a sawmill turning out finished PT 4x4's, but let's keep in mind that this is first century Palestine. Let's look at some historical facts:



Crucifixion Practices

Crucifixion probably first began among the Persians. (34) Alexander the Great introduced the practice to Egypt and Carthage, and the Romans appear to have learned of it from the Carthaginans. (11) Although the Romans did not invent crucifixion, they perfected it as a form of torture and capital punishment that was designed to produce a slow death with maximum pain and suffering. (10,17) It was one of the most disgraceful and cruel methods of execution and usually was reserved only for slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries, and the vilest of criminals. (3,25,28) Roman law usually protected Roman citizens from crucifixion, (5) except perhaps in the case of desertion by soldiers.

In its earliest form in Persia, the victim was either tied to a tree or was tied to or impaled on an upright post, usually to keep the guilty victim's feet from touching holy ground. (3,11,30,34,38). Only later was a true cross used; it was characterized by an upright post (stipes) and a horizontal crossbar (patibulum), and it had several variations (11). Although archaeological and historical evidence strongly indicates that the low Tau cross was preferred by the Romans in Palestine at the time of Christ, (2,7,11) crucifixion practices often varied in a given geographic region and in accordance with the imagination of the executioners, and the Latin cross and other forms also may have been used. (26)

It was customary for the condemned man to carry his own cross from the flogging post to the site of crucifixion outside the city walls. (8,11,30) He was usually naked, unless this was prohibited by local customs. (11) Since the weight of the entire cross was probably well over 300 lb. (136 kg), only the crossbar was carried. (11) The patibulum, weighing 75 to 125 lb. (34 to 57 kg), (11,30) was placed across the nape of the victim's neck and balanced along both shoulders. Usually, the outstretched arms then were tied to the crossbar. (7,11) The processional to the site of crucifixion was led by a complete Roman military guard, headed by a centurion. (3,11) One of the soldiers carried a sign (titulus) on which the condemned man's name and crime were displayed. (3,11) Later, the titulus would be attached to the top of the cross. (11) The Roman guard would not leave the victim until they were sure of his death. (9,11) Outside the city walls was permanently located the heavy upright wooden stipes, on which the patibulum would be secured. In the case of the Tau cross, this was accomplished by means of a mortise and tenon joint, with or without reinforcement by ropes. (10,11,30) To prolong the crucifixion process, a horizontal wooden block or plank, serving as a crude seat (sedile or sedulum), often was attached midway down the stipes. (3,11,16) Only very rarely, and probably later than the time of Christ, was an additional block (suppedaneum) employed for transfixion of the feet. (9,11)


You can find this article, that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in it's entirety here:

http://www.geocities.com/alokonsen/death4.htm

Click on the pictures to enlarge them and see the size of the crosses. Ironically, this is posted on a catholic site advertising the Passion Movie. Guess no one read the info on how the cross wasn't carried, only the crossbeam. You can also find this paper posted on other sites.

Zemmy:

Please, don't patronize me

HT:

Sorry if you felt that I was. I guess it is my dry presentation style.

Palestine (Latin Syria Palestina, Hebrew Palestina [פלשתינ&#1492] or Eretz Yisrael [ארץ־ישראל], Arabic Filasteen [فلسطين]), is a region in the Middle East extending inland from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

This is a common term used among scholars, archaeologists, etc, and most Jews have no problem with the term as evidenced here:

http://www.jhom.com/topics/money/first_century_2.htm