Here at S.M.U., I often find myself in a quarrel with a fellow Christian about the Catholic Crucifix. I am nearly always defending a Catholicism bashing with the Crucifix being the issue of resentment. I am offended and hurt when non-Catholic Christians say that the crucifix is a horrible instrument of torture and that Catholics are "re-crucifying" Jesus with this particular symbol. We Catholics are not "re-crucifying" Jesus any more than all Christians do every day. Technically speaking, every day Christians sin, sinning is "re-crucifying" Jesus; therefore, everyday Christians are "re-crucifying" Jesus. People say that Catholics unnecessarily focus on the pain of his death that he shows his immense love that he has for each individual in existence. It also shows his humanity.
I feel that the general rule is that it is okay to bash on the Catholic Church in today's society and Saint Martin's University is no safe haven from this persecution. Seriously, the Catholic presence on campus has been more than welcoming to all outsiders and I just feel like it's about time that other Christians return the favor.
People bashing on the crucifix that Catholics use hurts me as a religious and moral person. I know that the Catholic presence on campus has been very welcoming to non-Catholics, but it seems that this welcoming attitude has hindered our Catholic identity here on campus. We as Catholics are no longer proud of our beautiful and majestic faith; rather, we tend to keep it dormant or hidden in fear of confrontation from other non-Catholic Christians. Sometime it is just easier to go with the flow. This is a shame on a Catholic campus.
In order to have a further discussion on the issue of the Crucifix and to have an open dialogue about this particular issue, it might help us to flip the issue around. Let me propose a question; does the Catholic presence on campus demonize the cross used by Christians? The answer is overwhelmingly no. Both symbols are both beautiful and profound. The Crucifix is merely a tool that Catholics use to orient themselves to God. By focusing on the pain Christ went through on our behalf, the crucifix is a reminder that we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness. The image of Jesus on the cross shows the magnitude of Jesus' love for us. The best part is that Christ has already paid the price for our sin. All we need to do is genuinely ask for forgiveness and it is granted. God is waiting to forgive you. He wants to forgive you. He yearns to forgive you.
Enough is enough. We Catholics just don't want to feel repressed in our faith anymore. All denominations are welcome here. Catholics love God too. Please let us be and give glory to him in our own way.
Chris Hoiland
Class of 2011
Religious Studies
I feel that the general rule is that it is okay to bash on the Catholic Church in today's society and Saint Martin's University is no safe haven from this persecution. Seriously, the Catholic presence on campus has been more than welcoming to all outsiders and I just feel like it's about time that other Christians return the favor.
People bashing on the crucifix that Catholics use hurts me as a religious and moral person. I know that the Catholic presence on campus has been very welcoming to non-Catholics, but it seems that this welcoming attitude has hindered our Catholic identity here on campus. We as Catholics are no longer proud of our beautiful and majestic faith; rather, we tend to keep it dormant or hidden in fear of confrontation from other non-Catholic Christians. Sometime it is just easier to go with the flow. This is a shame on a Catholic campus.
In order to have a further discussion on the issue of the Crucifix and to have an open dialogue about this particular issue, it might help us to flip the issue around. Let me propose a question; does the Catholic presence on campus demonize the cross used by Christians? The answer is overwhelmingly no. Both symbols are both beautiful and profound. The Crucifix is merely a tool that Catholics use to orient themselves to God. By focusing on the pain Christ went through on our behalf, the crucifix is a reminder that we are all sinners and in need of forgiveness. The image of Jesus on the cross shows the magnitude of Jesus' love for us. The best part is that Christ has already paid the price for our sin. All we need to do is genuinely ask for forgiveness and it is granted. God is waiting to forgive you. He wants to forgive you. He yearns to forgive you.
Enough is enough. We Catholics just don't want to feel repressed in our faith anymore. All denominations are welcome here. Catholics love God too. Please let us be and give glory to him in our own way.
Chris Hoiland
Class of 2011
Religious Studies
