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

it's nothing new

[taisidhe.livejournal.com]

I remember reading a book about Queen Isabella of Spain saying she had a cross alleged to have been made from one of the nails of the cross.

I supposed for those who believe, it is a way to feel closer. I prefer carrying a picture of my beloved close to my heart. But, it takes all kinds.

[ladyvivien.livejournal.com]

There's achildrens poem called 'Five Rusty Nails' about Jesus. It isn't the way it sounds...it's actually very good and not mawkish, and actually pretty cool. This coming from the witch must be praise indeed...

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?

[qos.livejournal.com]

Not to minimize your thoughtful, creative, and interesting entries and commentary --- but you have the *best* icons!!!

I am beginning to get extremely jealous. I laughed out loud earlier today at your Janeway "Hate you, taking Voyager" icon.

Re: it's nothing new

[qos.livejournal.com]

But, it takes all kinds.

You're right.

For me, perhaps it's not so much the "nail" aspect (as hard for me to relate to as that is) as it is the "movie tie-in" aspect. The article described the necklace as a statement of faith -- but I can't help but see it as a sign of the effectiveness of Mel's marketing machine, and the wearers as jumping on the bandwagon.

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?

[ladyvivien.livejournal.com]

hee! sadly, I didn't make these ones, other people with actual talent did. virtually all of my icons are Trek-themed right now, I'm sucha dork...

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: it's nothing new

[taisidhe.livejournal.com]

oh yeah, I knew that Mel had managed a major coup when his movie (Mel is Catholic) was being prmoted by the bastion of the fundies, CBN's Pat Robertson. I was stunned. Back in the day, Robertson didn't hesitate to be vocal about how Catholics aren't really Christians... never quite understood his reasoning, but that's not surprising.

T'ai

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.