| October 39, 2003 No ability to resist commenting on this (click to read) --I could care less what Italy decides with their government regulations. Take the cross from classrooms; heck put up Pentagrams or effigies to SpongBob Squarepants for all I care. The thing that irks me about this article is the ignorant and uneducated quote for Cheif Rabbi Riccardo Di Segi. Fine Riccardo, don’t believe Jesus was the Son of God (I don't boldface the same pronoun twice) all you want, but please don’t belittle the attributes of the cross by misrepresenting them. That’s like me telling you the the Star of David is nothing more than an elaborate polygon. To say the cross represents “peace and life” is the equivalent of saying the electric chair represents “peace and life”. To set the record straight, the attributes of the cross are suffering and death; it is a death machine. The heart changing results of the cross are “peace and life”, but the cross itself, the image of a man being brutally beaten, subjugated, humiliated, and murdered represents the actual historical significance of what the cross was. The cross isn’t meant for someone to look at and say “Oh that’s pretty. What a nice guy to endure that for other people. That Jesus is a swell guy.” The cross is meant for someone to look at, fall on their knees, realize the sacrifice made in their place, realize the blood shed that should’ve been theirs, and realize the price paid that they couldn’t have hoped to so that they could live eternity beyond the Gates of Hades. It doesn’t unite Christians in peace per se. It unites Christians (real Christians that is) in utter humility, knowing we are but hopeless vessels of muck, sin, and everything that is grime on this Earth. Maybe Rabbi Di Segi meant somewhat what I was talking about, about the “results” of the cross (i don't know his heart), but I get the impression (and it’s not too hard considering his religious affiliation) that he just doesn’t get what the cross means to him personally. No doubt he’s attempting to nullify the unjust persecution his people have received for centuries concerning false accusations that the whole Jewish race past, present, and future are responsible for Christ’s death (which is obviously ludicrous and I fully condemn that persecution), but I advise the Rabbi to be more aware of what attributes he’s giving to faiths he is a foreigner to. Something like the Menorah I know is a very important symbol to the Jewish faith and I know it’s historical significance, but I have no idea it’s real cultural significance within modern Judaism and would make no claims understanding thereof. Just remember, the cross of Christ is something different than just a “religious” symbol. It’s personal, it’s intimate, it’s life changing. You don’t see anybody walking down the street with guillotine or firing squad jewelry around their necks... Where do you stand What is your statement What is it you're trying to say What's in your hand What's in your basement What's in the cards you don't play Are you holding the key Or are you intending To pick the lock of heaven's gate It's confusing to me The message you're sending And I don't know if I can relate Chorus: What's you line Tell me why you wear your cross of gold State of mind Or does it find a way into your soul Is it a flame Is it a passion A symbol of love living in you Or is it a game Religion in fashion Some kind of pahse you're going thru We all travel the extremes From cellar to rafter Looking for a place in the sun So I'm trying to see What you're headed after But I don't know where you're coming from Chorus Bridge: (spoken) For some it's simply something to wear around your neck Just a chain Jewelry Is it decoration? Is it an icon Or proclomation? An icon of what? What? For some it's simply something to wear around your neck Just a chain It means a lot more than that to me -Cross of Gold, Michael W. Smith |