God Help Us

[qos]

This from a news story I found on imdb.com: ". . . jewelry items such as 'The Passion Nail Pendant' have become fashion statements for fervent Christians."

Maybe wearing a nail around your neck isn't that big a step from wearing a cross. But still. . . .

Maybe it's just the appalling thought that someone in Gibon's marketing department decided making a "The Passion Nail Pendant" was a good idea.

Talk about having no shame. . . .

Comments

Nails and crosses

[amqu.livejournal.com]

I don't see the difference. And since Mr. Gibson is Catholic (with all the statues, icons, and assorted other paraphenalia), it probably doesn't seem a very big stretch for him. People sell T-shirts with a picture of the pope on them during papal visits. People buy bracelets with 'WWJD' on them.

I personally don't go in for that kind of thing, but I guess I don't see how the nail jewelry is any different from the other stuff. What am I missing? Is it because it's associated with a movie?

Re: Nails and crosses

[qos.livejournal.com]

It's very likely that it's the movie tie-in aspect, and my suspicion that these people would not be wearing the necklace if Mel Gibson's merchandising department hadn't come up with the idea.

If people genuinely feel that wearing a replica of a crucifixion nail speaks to their faith and devotion, I shouldn't criticize them.

Thank you for commenting. May I ask how you happened across my journal?

Re: Nails and crosses

[amqu.livejournal.com]

If you see it as a merchandising effort, then I can understand your distate for it. At John 4:23-24, Jesus said that true worshippers would worship in spirit and truth, so for me personally I find them superfluous. To me, crosses and nails are six of one or half a dozen of another.

Finding your journal: I googled the lyrics of Cold Mountain by Sting. One of the first links was a LiveJournal. It was Aerden. Out of curiosity, I clicked on it. I clicked on her friends list which I found mostly incomprehensible since apparently she's an RPG'r. But I found your journal and thought it was very interesting, particularly since you're a student of Christology.

Re: Nails and crosses

[qos.livejournal.com]

To me, crosses and nails are six of one or half a dozen of another.

Growing up non-denominational Protestant, I took the image of the cross for granted until I was in my mid-teens, when I read a novel about a frozen Roman soldier who wakes up in a present-day hospital. He was horrified to see the nurse wearing a cross pendant, since all it meant to him was a brutal method of execution. We didn't have crucifixes, so I grew up with a very spiriutalized symbol.

Wearing a crucifix nail might be one way for a person to get beyond our cultural nonchalance about the cross as a symbol and try to be more aware of the suffering/passion of Christ's sacrifice.

When I wear a cross, it's a silver equal-armed cross in a circle with a different colored semi-precious stone at the quarter points and a white one in the center. It's definitely a spiritual abstraction of the historical reality of crucifixion.

But I found your journal and thought it was very interesting, particularly since you're a student of Christology.

Is this an area you're particularly interested in? Or is it Christianity in general? I'm always delighted to meet someone new who enjoys talking about religion.

Re: Nails and crosses

[amqu.livejournal.com]

Wearing a crucifix nail might be one way for a person to get beyond our cultural nonchalance about the cross as a symbol and try to be more aware of the suffering/passion of Christ's sacrifice.

I think you may have hit the nail on the head (eww, bad pun) regarding the reason Mr. Gibson has done this and why it has struck such a resonance with some Christians. I believe many, if not most, Christians take the sacrifice of Jesus and his father for granted. This makes them think.

I grew up in a religious household without any religious symbols and so never developed a "tolerance" to them, meaning I never got used to seeing Jesus crucified and it still fills me with horror and awe when I see a representation of it.

I am not a student of Christology, per se, although I find the topic fascinating and I have a number of opinions on the subject. ;) I also am interested in the history of Christianity and how it evolved.