Jehovah's witnesses beliefs in the cross?

Answer 1

They do not use the cross in worship because they feel it is dangerously close to idolatry. They also will point out the origin of the cross in non-Christian religions and that the Greek word stauros really denotes an upright pole or stake.

Answer 2

Of course, we believe in crosses. We observe them as decorations in and on many churches of Christendom, on home walls, and in many forms of jewelry. However, we consider these to be idolatry and, as followers of Jesus Christ, we take no part in such.

If one does research, he or she will also find that crosses were used historically in many ancient pagan religions, dating way before the the beginning of Christianity. Diligent researchers will also discover that the word translated "cross" in many versions of the Bible today comes from a word that simply translates pole or upright timber in the original Greek manuscripts. So, as sincere students of the Bible, Jehovah's Witnesses understand that Jesus died on an upright stake, not a pole with a cross piece.

Opinion from one who is NOT one of Jehovah's Witnesses:

Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the cross and have changed their version of the Bible to reflect that belief. They believe that the cross was a carryover from the "T" symbol that can be traced back to the pagan god Tammuz.

However, history shows that Roman public executions during the time of Jesus used crosses, not stakes. Stakes and tree stumps were used in battlefields to execute enemy soldiers and field officers. For public executions, condemned persons were hung from crosses with small signs over their heads that described their crimes. This was described clearly by the early historians and writers of that day.

The scripture quoted above uses the phrase "torture stake" in the Watchtower's New World Translation. However, the more widely accepted New International Version translates that this way:

"32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull"). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS."

If Jesus' hands were nailed above his head, as on a stake, then where would the sign have been nailed? Then the text would have said "Above his hands..." (Of course, this would still be above his head.)

The Watchtower's position is indefensible from an historic view, but again, they can teach and believe whatever they want. However, the "Cross and the Crown" was on the cover of all Watchtower magazines from the time of C.T. Russell until the late 1920's, so obviously the early Bible Students believed in Jesus's death on a cross. After doing research and praying extensively for Jehovah's holy spirit to guide him, the then president, J.F. Rutherford decided to change the teaching to further isolate Jehovah's Witnesses from other Christian religions.

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses do NOT believe that Jesus died on a cross they believe Jesus died for all mankind to save us from our sins but they believe he died on an upright stake (with a single beam of wood).

They do not wear or venerate crosses.

Answer 4

Jesus died on an upright pale or stake, thus the term "impaled". The same greek word was used to describe the instrument of Jesus death as was placed around Jerusalem when the Romans destroyed it on 70AD. The word was pale. Jerusalem was not surrounded by crosses, it was surrounded by upright stakes resulting in every tree for miles around Jerusalem being cut down and used in the fence to keep the Jews in until they starved to death. One eyewitness of his death said he died hanging upon a tree according to the King James Version of The Bible. Search for yourself and you will find that no where in the Bible was the greek word for cross used to describe what he was hung upon. Only in later versions of the Bible was the word cross used, apparently by some over zealous crucifictionist. Also if you do some research on the manner of death used by the Romans, it was not by Cross. It was by impalement. JB

Answer 5

No. However the Watchtower (Jehovah's Witnesses) did use the symbol on their earlier publications and teach that Jesus died on a cross. Since 1936 their position on Jesus' instrument of death changed to that of an upright "torture stake".

Jehovah's Witnesses don't worship the cross for multiple reasons:

They teach that the cross has nothing to do with Jesus.

The word translated into "cross" in many bibles is the Greek word "stauros", and they claim that "cross" isn't the right translation for it. According to them the correct translation is just simply (upright) pole or (torture) stake. Jehovah's witnesses also teach that the use of torture stakes over crosses are supported historically.

Jehovah's Witnesses use Gunnar Samuelsson a Swedish scholar as support for their teaching. He says "No matter how long someone will look for evidence of people being nailed to a cross in Jesus's time, you simply won't find evidence for it."

However, Mr Samuelsson is not referring to the certain instrument that was used, but Christ's actual death at Calvary.

Another reason Jehovah's Witnesses now refrain from using the cross is:

Long before the Christian era, crosses were used by the ancient Babylonians as symbols in their worship of the fertility god Tammuz. The use of the cross spread into Egypt, India, Syria, and China. Then, centuries later, the Israelites adulterated their worship of Jehovah with acts of veneration to the false god Tammuz. The Bible refers to this form of worship as a 'detestable thing.' (Ezekiel 8:13-14)

Jehovah's Witnesses claim, "It was not until about 300 years after Jesus' death that some professed Christians promoted the idea that Jesus was put to death on a two-beamed cross." They go onto say, "However, this view was based on tradition and a misuse of "stauros". It is noteworthy that some ancient drawings depicting Roman executions feature a single wooden pole or tree."

Here they refer to a 16th century artist, Justus Lipsius, who depicted many different styles on Roman execution including the traditional cross in the same book.

Answer 6

No.
The cross predates Christianity and goes right back to Tammuz ( Nimrod) in ancient Babylon.

You can see it also in Egyptian art with a circle above it hanging around women's necks and held in their hands. Jesus was hung on a stake the Greek word used being Stavros. The Greek word for cross, Xylon, is not in the Greek scriptures. Also, if you lost a loved one to a terrible murder, say by an axe, and your friends found you wearing a miniature axe made of Gold silver or wood with red paint to represent blood on it, They would probably think only one of two things. That you have mentally lost it because of the experience. Or, you are the victim of mass motivational research by persons who are making good money out of you and others because of this terrible emotional situation. Gods word also tells us not to use an image of ANY kind to worship him. Many scriptures such as Revelation 22:15 say that Idolaters will not be part of Jehovah Gods purpose for humankind to be among the "meek who will inherit the Earth." Hope this answers your question. It is scriptural and logical? Satan does not like that. Google "origin of Cross worship".

Answer 7

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the 'Mormon' church) believe that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross for their sins, but they do not use it as a symbol of their faith or worship. You will not find crosses adorning Mormon buildings, and it is rare to find a Mormon who will wear a cross on their clothing or jewelry. This is for several reasons.

First, the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ is very sacred and should not be mocked or made light of. Using the cross as a part of fashion or in expensive jewelry is not considered appropriate.

Second, many Mormons see the cross as being morbid. It is the cruel weapon that killed their Savior. First century Christians would not have used a cross as a symbol of their faith, that would be like someone using a gun or electric chair as a symbol of their faith today. Some might say "If your brother was shot and killed would you wear the bullet around your neck?"

Third, Mormons prefer to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He overcame the bonds of death that we might also live again. Christ lives! The Resurrection of Jesus Christ tends to be a more powerful aspect of a Mormon's faith than the crucifixion.

Answer 8

They do not use the cross in worship, or wear it, because they feel it is dangerously close to idolatry. They also will point out the origin of the cross in non-Christian religions and that the Greek word stauros really denotes an upright pole or stake.

Answer 9

No, they believe Jesus died on a stake (Greek stauros) to save mankind.

Answer 10

No they do not believe , they say Jesus died on the stake and not a cross.