Happy Atheist Forum

Religion => Religion => Topic started by: Magdalena on September 15, 2016, 06:14:33 AM

Title: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 15, 2016, 06:14:33 AM
Does anyone here know what this means, or accomplishes?
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F66.147.242.187%2F%7Ecatholw3%2Fcatholiccravingscom%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F09%2Fsign-of-the-cross-p36-carmody-edit.jpg&hash=a86c77d44f5257b961ea99116707e28f419e4801)
I've always been an atheist, so I know the answer is nothing, but I just want to hear an ex-religious point of view. What did it mean to you when you used to do it?

I've seen people do this under many circumstances, specially when they hear someone has died. I've seen it in movies when...they...well, "see a demon." Athletes also do it before or after their event.

Let's just say that it actually does "something," what would it do...exactly? I've seen movies where someone has been murdered, and the person who finds the body immediately does the sign of the cross. Why? Are they saying, "Oh, my god! Someone was decapitated...in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit?" Again, if doing the sign of the cross and saying those words actually does something, what did it do to or for the victim? Bless them? May this horrendous act be in God's name? Are they saying, "This is God's will, and I accept it?" Or, is it more for the one who found the body? What does it do to or for them when they do the sign of the cross? Does it create some type of "invisible, invincible shield" that protects them from those horrendous things? Why would they want to be "protected" from things that are...well, most of the time, in their world: "In the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit?"

When I was a little girl I met two monsters, later in life I met two more, (that's what I call people with an extreme lack of conscience, --those who sing and dance and laugh as they hurt you.) All four of them used to do the sign of the cross, constantly. I started to associate monsters with that. Now it bothers me when I see people doing that, in part because of what I just said, and in part because I don't understand what it means.--symbolically, or logically.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Sandra Craft on September 15, 2016, 08:17:43 AM
I also am clueless, but I've wondered about the hand used.  I noticed some people have their hand open, some closed in a fist, and some kiss their hand afterwards and some don't.  Is this all just personal preference, or what?
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Kekerusey on September 15, 2016, 08:39:15 AM
For an atheist, never :) ... it's a bit embarrasing at times (weddings, funerals, christenings) because under no circumstances will I make the sign of the cross, bow my head, pray or even kneel. I get some strange, sometimes even annoyed, looks ... that's OK though, I'm big enough and ugly enough to take the flack.

As an ex-Catholic yes I know what it means ... it's just a sign of respect and belief and confirms you're one of "the club". I don't think it has much of a deeper meaning outside of that and relating to their holy trinity.

Keke
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: OldGit on September 15, 2016, 09:16:31 AM
I have always believed that the correct sequence is "spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch".

Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: xSilverPhinx on September 15, 2016, 01:17:29 PM
I always saw it as a case of instilled OCD. Whenever I'm on the bus and we pass a Catholic church some people go through the motions. There are variations, some kiss their hand afterwards, others don't. Some routes require that these obsessive types do it quite a bit. I wonder if they think that something bad would happen to them if they fail to do the sign?

Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 15, 2016, 04:36:38 PM
I'm beginning to think that doing the sign of the cross is like a "holy" good-luck charm. But how can an item used to torture people be seen as that?  :(

Anyways, thanks for the answers. I could get a million answers and I still won't do it because it does absolutely nothing. I was just curious, maybe next time someone does it I'll ask them directly. --I'm sure they won't know why they do it either.  ::)
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 15, 2016, 04:52:11 PM
Quote from: OldGit on September 15, 2016, 09:16:31 AM
I have always believed that the correct sequence is "spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch".

[/youtube]
:lol:

I think I mentioned this before: When my son was younger, the one who's 13 now, he said that he finally figured out why people do the sign of the cross. He said, "People are pointing to the holes in their body, their mouth, their belly button, and their nipples." I said, "I don't think that's why." He said, "Well, then maybe they're just writing the letter "T" on their body."
--Sure that makes more sense!  ;D

I love my little atheists.  :tellmemore:
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Old Seer on September 15, 2016, 06:02:39 PM
Having been brought up in the catholic idea of things, I find that it solves nothing, adds to nothing, doesn't change the person or the world. The Cross is an important symbol in Christian religions and overlooks the the real purpose of JC. What it amounts to is an attachment of European religions to a book that they misinterpret greatly. In ancient religions ritual was/is a staple, so they devise physical things to something that doesn't belong in Christianity. The sign is predicated on the trinity which doesn't add up either. The idea is to get believers more involved in believing the ones that run the religion. No physical act on the first count is going to change anyone---in Christianity it's the mind/person that's supposed to change, and that can only be done by the knowledge of "what" a person is. The sign is emphasis on something material (wooden cross object) and physical (mainly the superficial)which has no bearing on anything other then what superstitious religious leaders can scrounge up from their superstitious past religions. If one looks back over the millennia one can see that all the foot stomping, organ grinding, wood clacking, guitar strumming, water throwing, torture racking, signing, genuflecting, sing songing, drum beating, holy rollering, pain racking kneeling, chest beating,  etc etc etc etc---hasn't changed a thing or made any mental improvements in social behaviour. A Christian is nothing more then a good decent person toward others and that's that. All the above mentioned (and more) hasn't done diddley to improve the world, or any person for that matter. They get away with this nonsense because they think the world will someday come to a crashing end and in the mean time this is what one is suppose to do to get to heaven, which the book doesn't exactly mean that either. The sign represents ancient  misunderstandings of nature going back long before the book was rutten, and honors death rather then life. What the heck does "rutten" mean anyways.  :)
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: xSilverPhinx on September 17, 2016, 12:35:13 AM
I'm doing this next time:

Sorry but you are not allowed to view spoiler contents.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Guardian85 on September 17, 2016, 03:20:26 AM
The sign of the Cross is a s far as I know a Catholic specific thing. My only relation to this is that when I was living in Germany it was a common thing to do at the start of elementary school (1-4th)grade as a part of teacher led prayer. I remember my first day in German school (4th grade) when everybody got up and started doing this weird thing. Weird look on my ten-year old self's face. Luckily, my home-room teacher quickly realized that the reason I didn't do the sign and didn't stand up for the prayer was because I was not in fact catholic and this was not something we did in Norway, and was cool with me not doing that for the remainder of the year. 
If I understand the sign thing, it is something you do as a Catholic before starting a prayer, although many people do it as a substitute for actually saying a prayer.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 17, 2016, 04:25:52 AM
I've learned so much so far, maybe all of us can learn together about this topic. Not that it makes a huge difference in our lives, but we're all just a curious bunch, that's all.

Look at what I found:
There's also a triple sign of the cross, well, it's a quadruple sign of the cross:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-_mj8ysGlDY8%2FVR5RXIG_CFI%2FAAAAAAAAG8M%2FR28dDeJOicE%2Fs1600%2Fsenal-santa-cruz.jpg&hash=99e95afd297d8be7ab39da1b4d21ffbe573c5250)

Translation:
Sign of the cross:
1. For the sign of the Holy Cross (on the forehead),
2. from our enemies (on the mouth),
3. deliver us Lord, our God (on the chest and shoulders).
4. In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit (large from the forehead to the chest and from the left shoulder to the right).

Amen.

A bit too much reverence, if you ask me.  :-\
It looks as if religion is trying to convince me that there's badness in everything I think of, everything I say, and everything I feel. In other words, most of the things that make me human.  :-\ --That's not right because that is all I can be.

Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Recusant on September 17, 2016, 07:04:44 AM
Tuco's sign of the cross seems adequate for him.

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi68.tinypic.com%2F200xjiw.jpg&hash=e807a4fac0a98371d4b8aa9f4e8b6c3534eb6e98)
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Asmodean on September 17, 2016, 11:59:31 AM
Who was that comedian who did that "In the name of the father, the son and into the hole he goes" thing? I feel like re-watching that.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Tom62 on September 17, 2016, 04:11:36 PM
Quote from: Asmodean on September 17, 2016, 11:59:31 AM
Who was that comedian who did that "In the name of the father, the son and into the hole he goes" thing? I feel like re-watching that.

That was Dave Allen
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 17, 2016, 06:44:22 PM
^^^
:rofl:
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: OldGit on September 17, 2016, 08:07:49 PM
That is really superb.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Asmodean on September 17, 2016, 10:59:26 PM
Quote from: Tom62 on September 17, 2016, 04:11:36 PM
Quote from: Asmodean on September 17, 2016, 11:59:31 AM
Who was that comedian who did that "In the name of the father, the son and into the hole he goes" thing? I feel like re-watching that.

That was Dave Allen

Ah, yes. That's the one.  :)
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Pasta Chick on September 18, 2016, 02:09:17 AM
I think it depends somewhat on denomination, and I think it's somewhat contextual too. I work with someone who crosses herself for protection. For instance, during a discussion about Lyme disease, which is a pretty serious problem in this area. When she was pregnant she would cross her belly too.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Icarus on September 18, 2016, 05:32:52 AM
  Crossing ones self appears to be a general purpose mini ritual.  It is not uncommon to see a field goal kicker (American football)  use the routine before his kick attempt. It is also seen with some regularity when a baseball batter takes his turn at the plate.  I have also seen Boxers and other athletes use the cross thing before participating. I take it that the person is either petitioning god for assistence or at least asking for divine permission to succeed independently..
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Asmodean on September 18, 2016, 08:31:21 AM
Quote from: Icarus on September 18, 2016, 05:32:52 AM
...or at least asking for divine permission to succeed independently..
This, it disgusts The Asmo. :sadshake:
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Happy with no god on September 22, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
The first time a new work colleague was in the car with me driving he started making the cross. At first I thought it was my driving but then found he did it every time he saw a magpie. Now every time i see one I point it out to him "look a magpie" just amuses me.  ;D
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Happy with no god on September 22, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
The first time a new work colleague was in the car with me driving he started making the cross. At first I thought it was my driving but then found he did it every time he saw a magpie. Now every time i see one I point it out to him "look a magpie" just amuses me.  ;D
A magpie--why?  :scratch:
Others do it when they pass by a cemetery, or when they see or hear an ambulance. I also read that the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations...I hope kids don't use this as a birth control method.  :-\
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: OldGit on September 22, 2016, 05:34:35 PM
Many English people feel they should greet a solitary Magpie politely, for fear of bad luck.  Two or more Magpies should be ignored.  Sometimes I do it just to keep up the old custom.  Many a time I've shot one without greeting it and then wondered if I ought to greet it afterwards.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Sandra Craft on September 22, 2016, 07:08:08 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Happy with no god on September 22, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
The first time a new work colleague was in the car with me driving he started making the cross. At first I thought it was my driving but then found he did it every time he saw a magpie. Now every time i see one I point it out to him "look a magpie" just amuses me.  ;D
A magpie--why?  :scratch:
Others do it when they pass by a cemetery, or when they see or hear an ambulance. I also read that the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations...I hope kids don't use this as a birth control method.  :-\

Magpie poem:

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral,
Four for birth
Five for heaven
Six for hell
Seven for the devil, his own self.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 22, 2016, 07:08:08 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Happy with no god on September 22, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
The first time a new work colleague was in the car with me driving he started making the cross. At first I thought it was my driving but then found he did it every time he saw a magpie. Now every time i see one I point it out to him "look a magpie" just amuses me.  ;D
A magpie--why?  :scratch:
Others do it when they pass by a cemetery, or when they see or hear an ambulance. I also read that the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations...I hope kids don't use this as a birth control method.  :-\
Quote from: OldGit on September 22, 2016, 05:34:35 PM
Many English people feel they should greet a solitary Magpie politely, for fear of bad luck.  Two or more Magpies should be ignored.  Sometimes I do it just to keep up the old custom.  Many a time I've shot one without greeting it and then wondered if I ought to greet it afterwards.

Magpie poem:

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral,
Four for birth
Five for heaven
Six for hell
Seven for the devil, his own self.

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Davin on September 22, 2016, 07:54:55 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 22, 2016, 07:08:08 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Happy with no god on September 22, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
The first time a new work colleague was in the car with me driving he started making the cross. At first I thought it was my driving but then found he did it every time he saw a magpie. Now every time i see one I point it out to him "look a magpie" just amuses me.  ;D
A magpie--why?  :scratch:
Others do it when they pass by a cemetery, or when they see or hear an ambulance. I also read that the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations...I hope kids don't use this as a birth control method.  :-\
Quote from: OldGit on September 22, 2016, 05:34:35 PM
Many English people feel they should greet a solitary Magpie politely, for fear of bad luck.  Two or more Magpies should be ignored.  Sometimes I do it just to keep up the old custom.  Many a time I've shot one without greeting it and then wondered if I ought to greet it afterwards.

Magpie poem:

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral,
Four for birth
Five for heaven
Six for hell
Seven for the devil, his own self.

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(

The magpie is always watching!
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F67.media.tumblr.com%2F14ab47457f245b50fcf2b38897255a01%2Ftumblr_inline_mxvsv9IQrU1qinae7.jpg&hash=34b9276c47fee5cedac11bf673af2eb0b8ee9319)
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 08:28:09 PM
Quote from: Davin on September 22, 2016, 07:54:55 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 22, 2016, 07:08:08 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Happy with no god on September 22, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
The first time a new work colleague was in the car with me driving he started making the cross. At first I thought it was my driving but then found he did it every time he saw a magpie. Now every time i see one I point it out to him "look a magpie" just amuses me.  ;D
A magpie--why?  :scratch:
Others do it when they pass by a cemetery, or when they see or hear an ambulance. I also read that the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations...I hope kids don't use this as a birth control method.  :-\
Quote from: OldGit on September 22, 2016, 05:34:35 PM
Many English people feel they should greet a solitary Magpie politely, for fear of bad luck.  Two or more Magpies should be ignored.  Sometimes I do it just to keep up the old custom.  Many a time I've shot one without greeting it and then wondered if I ought to greet it afterwards.

Magpie poem:

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral,
Four for birth
Five for heaven
Six for hell
Seven for the devil, his own self.

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(

The magpie is always watching!
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F67.media.tumblr.com%2F14ab47457f245b50fcf2b38897255a01%2Ftumblr_inline_mxvsv9IQrU1qinae7.jpg&hash=34b9276c47fee5cedac11bf673af2eb0b8ee9319)
Oh, I see...just like The Asmo!  :couchhide:
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Tank on September 22, 2016, 09:58:31 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 22, 2016, 07:08:08 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Happy with no god on September 22, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
The first time a new work colleague was in the car with me driving he started making the cross. At first I thought it was my driving but then found he did it every time he saw a magpie. Now every time i see one I point it out to him "look a magpie" just amuses me.  ;D
A magpie--why?  :scratch:
Others do it when they pass by a cemetery, or when they see or hear an ambulance. I also read that the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations...I hope kids don't use this as a birth control method.  :-\
Quote from: OldGit on September 22, 2016, 05:34:35 PM
Many English people feel they should greet a solitary Magpie politely, for fear of bad luck.  Two or more Magpies should be ignored.  Sometimes I do it just to keep up the old custom.  Many a time I've shot one without greeting it and then wondered if I ought to greet it afterwards.

Magpie poem:

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral,
Four for birth
Five for heaven
Six for hell
Seven for the devil, his own self.

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(
They are inedible and therefore on no use.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Sandra Craft on September 22, 2016, 10:21:28 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(

They're black birds, more or less.  People just don't seem to like black birds -- crows and ravens get a lot of flack too.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 02:16:08 AM
Quote from: Tank on September 22, 2016, 09:58:31 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 22, 2016, 07:08:08 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: Happy with no god on September 22, 2016, 12:46:08 PM
The first time a new work colleague was in the car with me driving he started making the cross. At first I thought it was my driving but then found he did it every time he saw a magpie. Now every time i see one I point it out to him "look a magpie" just amuses me.  ;D
A magpie--why?  :scratch:
Others do it when they pass by a cemetery, or when they see or hear an ambulance. I also read that the sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations...I hope kids don't use this as a birth control method.  :-\
Quote from: OldGit on September 22, 2016, 05:34:35 PM
Many English people feel they should greet a solitary Magpie politely, for fear of bad luck.  Two or more Magpies should be ignored.  Sometimes I do it just to keep up the old custom.  Many a time I've shot one without greeting it and then wondered if I ought to greet it afterwards.

Magpie poem:

One for sorrow,
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral,
Four for birth
Five for heaven
Six for hell
Seven for the devil, his own self.

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(
They are inedible and therefore on no use.
Can't you guys make pillows with their feathers, or something?  :-\
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 02:21:20 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 22, 2016, 10:21:28 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(

They're black birds, more or less.  People just don't seem to like black birds -- crows and ravens get a lot of flack too.
I don't see why.  :foottap:
Oh, it's that thing, isn't it?  :eyeroll: Associating black with bad things.
The Black Sheep of the Family.
Blackmailing
Blacklisted
My favorite, Black Magic Woman.  >:(
Poor, poor beautiful little black bird.  :(
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Sandra Craft on September 23, 2016, 02:24:45 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 02:21:20 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 22, 2016, 10:21:28 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(

They're black birds, more or less.  People just don't seem to like black birds -- crows and ravens get a lot of flack too.
I don't see why.  :foottap:
Oh, it's that thing, isn't it?  :eyeroll: Associating black with bad things.
The Black Sheep of the Family.
Blackmailing
Blacklisted
My favorite, Black Magic Woman.  >:(
Poor, poor beautiful little black bird.  :(

Yeah.  Just ask a black cat about it.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 02:33:02 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 23, 2016, 02:24:45 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 02:21:20 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 22, 2016, 10:21:28 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 22, 2016, 07:25:14 PM

Poor little birds. What the hell did they do? :(

They're black birds, more or less.  People just don't seem to like black birds -- crows and ravens get a lot of flack too.
I don't see why.  :foottap:
Oh, it's that thing, isn't it?  :eyeroll: Associating black with bad things.
The Black Sheep of the Family.
Blackmailing
Blacklisted
My favorite, Black Magic Woman.  >:(
Poor, poor beautiful little black bird.  :(

Yeah.  Just ask a black cat about it.
Yes, I had a beautiful black cat. :cryandrun:  ...I'm sorry, I don't want to talk about it.  :hanky:
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Sandra Craft on September 23, 2016, 05:17:27 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 02:33:02 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 23, 2016, 02:24:45 AM
Yeah.  Just ask a black cat about it.
Yes, I had a beautiful black cat. :cryandrun:  ...I'm sorry, I don't want to talk about it.  :hanky:

I understand completely.   :therethere:
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 05:26:34 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 23, 2016, 05:17:27 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 02:33:02 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 23, 2016, 02:24:45 AM
Yeah.  Just ask a black cat about it.
Yes, I had a beautiful black cat. :cryandrun:  ...I'm sorry, I don't want to talk about it.  :hanky:

I understand completely.   :therethere:

Ok, fine, if you insist so much, I'll tell you about it...
:grin:

My story is not a, "my cat died" story. My cat disappeared...  :weepy: I still don't know if it's dead or alive. My friend was going to watch him for a few days and my dear cat ran away. Probably thought that I didn't want him anymore.  :felix:
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Sandra Craft on September 23, 2016, 05:30:55 AM
Well, that's bad (it's horrible not knowing) but not as bad as what I was imaging.  People can be such bastards.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 05:42:11 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 23, 2016, 05:30:55 AM
Well, that's bad (it's horrible not knowing) but not as bad as what I was imaging.  People can be such bastards.
What were you imaging, Books?  :eyebrow:
It must have been something horrible...like death by catnip overdose, or something.  :notsure:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwallabirzine.blog.free.fr%2Fpublic%2FHELLFEST_2013%2FSHOCK_ME%2F44.gif&hash=e9e432b9a054232f928ed41208178075825d1e22)
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Sandra Craft on September 23, 2016, 11:44:26 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 05:42:11 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on September 23, 2016, 05:30:55 AM
Well, that's bad (it's horrible not knowing) but not as bad as what I was imaging.  People can be such bastards.
What were you imaging, Books?  :eyebrow:
It must have been something horrible...like death by catnip overdose, or something.  :notsure:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwallabirzine.blog.free.fr%2Fpublic%2FHELLFEST_2013%2FSHOCK_ME%2F44.gif&hash=e9e432b9a054232f928ed41208178075825d1e22)

Some people like to torture and kill black cats, esp. around Halloween.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 23, 2016, 04:17:31 PM
^^^
You are right, people can be such bastards.  :headshake:
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Arturo on September 24, 2016, 05:45:29 AM
Did not anybody answer the question? I didn't feel like reading the whole thread. I have the answer as to what the father, son, holy ghost, ritual is used for but do not want to say as to avoid being redundant.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Magdalena on September 24, 2016, 06:36:20 AM
Quote from: Apathy on September 24, 2016, 05:45:29 AM
Did not anybody answer the question? I didn't feel like reading the whole thread. I have the answer as to what the father, son, holy ghost, ritual is used for but do not want to say as to avoid being redundant.
Please, tell us. With the answers we've gotten, so far, I doubt you'll be redundant.  :smileshake:

Some of the things we've said:
~It confirms you're one of "the club".
~It's a case of instilled OCD.
~It's a "holy" good-luck charm.
~It solves nothing, adds to nothing, doesn't change the person or the world.
~Something one does before starting a prayer, although many people do it as a substitute for actually saying a prayer.
~It depends on denomination. It's somewhat contextual too.
~It's a general purpose mini ritual. Petitioning god for assistance or at least asking for divine permission to succeed independently.
~And people do the sign of the cross because: The magpie is always watching!

I think you should take the time to find out who said what so that you can get to know each of us a little bit better. There's some hilarious stuff as well.  ;)
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Sandra Craft on September 24, 2016, 08:39:14 AM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 24, 2016, 06:36:20 AM

~And people do the sign of the cross because: The magpie is always watching!


I'm voting for this one.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Kekerusey on September 24, 2016, 08:56:54 AM
Just been to a funeral and they basically do the same sign but to the deceased, the cross with Jebus on it, the mourners and just about everything else in sight.

Christian, not sure if it was Catholic (I'm guessing not).

Keke
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Arturo on September 25, 2016, 05:28:04 PM
Well my Dad says he used to be Catholic and this is what he tells me:

It's what you do before and after a prayer
The "Father, Son, Holy Ghost" is the 3 parts of the holy trinity.


So essentially your invoking magic to make your wish come true.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: existentialcrisis on December 09, 2016, 03:58:45 PM
Quote from: Magdalena on September 15, 2016, 06:14:33 AM
Does anyone here know what this means, or accomplishes?
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F66.147.242.187%2F%7Ecatholw3%2Fcatholiccravingscom%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F09%2Fsign-of-the-cross-p36-carmody-edit.jpg&hash=a86c77d44f5257b961ea99116707e28f419e4801)
I've always been an atheist, so I know the answer is nothing, but I just want to hear an ex-religious point of view. What did it mean to you when you used to do it?

That looks like paganism to me.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Pasta Chick on December 09, 2016, 05:16:54 PM
I generally find Catholicism very pagan in general, what with the saints and chanting and incense and wafers and so forth.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Arturo on December 09, 2016, 05:53:05 PM
Quote from: Pasta Chick on December 09, 2016, 05:16:54 PM
I generally find Catholicism very pagan in general, what with the saints and chanting and incense and wafers and so forth.

I agree. When I read a book on witch craft, it said a bit about it's history as well as the history of satanism and catholicism. It was said that Christians took on some of Wicca's views to be easily accepted. But they refused, and when the Christians grew in number, they began force conversions by telling them to become christian or die. And many died.
Title: Re: When to Make the Sign of the Cross?
Post by: Recusant on December 09, 2016, 10:24:46 PM
Quote from: Pasta Chick on December 09, 2016, 05:16:54 PM
I generally find Catholicism very pagan in general, what with the saints and chanting and incense and wafers and so forth.

That's not an accident. As it grew in the first few centuries of its existence, the Christian church adopted plenty from pre-existing religions. This syncretism was a way of helping converts feel more at home in the new religion. The Protestant Reformation stripped a lot of this away, but not all.