I fear this is a belittling of a religious symbol, and that offends me as a Christian. When I walk through a store and see the selling of faith, it offends me. Can you imagine Jesus saying, "Buy this T-shirt, kids, to brag about your faith?" I can't. Indeed, if we look to Jesus's words as recorded in our sacred books, time and again he tells us to be humble, to be focused on the belief and our fellow human beings, and not to proclaim our faith or do good deeds in order to shine in the eyes of other people. Matthew 6:1-15 is one of my favorite passages from the Bible because it demonstrates how our faith is to be private and not exclusive. It comes from within a larger context of how his followers were to behave and believe differently from those around them.
You don't need a chocolate cross to show you are a Christian, because this is not something that is supposed to be shown so that others will praise you or perhaps even to acknowledge your faith. Your faith is a private matter, not one that is any of my business, frankly, which is why I'm not going to end this post by telling you not to buy a chocolate cross. I'm only sharing my feelings, not preaching.
Furthermore, buying this symbol is really feeding into the marketplace mentality of our world. I'm sure this sort of monetization of Christianity has been happening for centuries, but I do not believe the God I worship and was raised to respect would approve. Capitalism is NOT Christianity, and if you believe otherwise, I fear you have been tricked big time by businesses who want nothing more than profit and couldn't care less about your soul. This purchasing of objects to display faith offends me at all levels, not just in the form of chocolate crosses, but Easter is approaching, so this is on my mind. So if you must ask "What would Jesus do?" I personally believe that buying X product is never going to be the correct answer. Buy whatever you like, just think about whether or not it has anything to do with following Christ or merely just being a human being who likes stuff. All human beings like stuff, and many of us like chocolate.
I'm also offended by these chocolate crosses as an ancient historian, because I think they downplay historical reality.
Crucifixion is probably one of the most horrible methods of execution ever created by humans. It was actually unusual for the executioner to nail the crucified person to the cross, since that wouldn't hold the body up very well, and the metal used to make the nails could be used for better things when ropes would do the job. This doesn't mean that they never nailed victims to crosses, but ropes are a more reliable and cheaper way to do so. Regardless of the method, though, it often took days for the condemned to die as they baked under the sun without water or food, their body in a very stressed position that added even more suffering to the slow death spiral.
I'm sure I've offended some of you who are anxious to run out and get your chocolate crosses. If you must buy one, Russell Stover's version is just like their milk chocolate bunnies, just a different shape. But please think about the reason for the holiday if you are Christian, and ask if there might be a better way to celebrate than eating the method of our Lord's execution.
Comments
Of course if they don't understand, I'd love to see those comments, too, so we can have a good discussion.
The cross is used as a symbol for sacrifice, specifically Christ's sacrifice, which is a key concept of Christianity. But it's one thing to use it as a reverent reminder and quite another to try to cutesy it up for Easter baskets. Like Tammy I find the chocolate crosses rather irreverent. I can understand why people want to include reminders of Christ in an Easter basket, but I think there are better, non-edible options.
The nice thing about being pagan is that the eggs and bunnies are fine by us.
Some think that the egg is a symbol of Ishtar, for example, which is was along with other symbols.
But it's also just an egg which doesn't even necessarily have to do with spring since at least chicken eggs can be created, fertilized, and hatched year round.
I suspect at the end of the day it is really about profit.
Don't even get me started on chocolate that isn't even chocolate!
Thank you everyone for such a good discussion! I hope more folks join in because I'm learning a lot from your comments.
Why not a fish -- a historic symbol of Christianity -- or an open tomb -- to show the resurrection -- in chocolate? Would you buy those symbols over a bunny or eggs?
Do you worry about feeding capitalistic over Christian values when you purchase something like this?
I hope if you do buy a chocolate cross you also embrace other Christian virtues and make certain that the brand you buy practices fair trade, works to protect the land the cocoa trees are grown on, doesn't support child slavery, and doesn't include unhealthy added and unnecessary ingredients in it.
I find it hard to believe that as a Christian the Holy Spirit has given you the assignment of attacking the cross. In fact I find it impossible to believe. I will not be looking for any empty tombs in chocolate. If I find one I will certainly consider it. But even then my hope will be where His life ended and began again for that is the promise of the cross. Who so ever believeth in Him. As he passed through death,so shall I, and so shall all who put their trust in Him and do not fall for the deceptive ways of the evil one.
Good day to you. I found my cross a long time ago. I hope you find yours.
I already laid out my reasons in the article for my feelings most of which you ignored completely to jump into your own beliefs.
Did you read the article or only the pieces you disagreed with?
I asked how you felt about the points from that article that you didn't address in your original comment because I was curious.
Would you like me to lay out those points again?
If you felt attacked by my reply, I'm sorry you felt that way.
Do you think you read into my questions from a defensive position instead of using them to answer thoughtfully?
My mother used to do that all of the time.After she died I got all of her writings, both professional and private, and discovered that she really struggled with Faith and Belief. I felt so sorry for her
You don't have to worry about my Faith or my Soul. Jesus and I are great and I don't struggle with my Faith at all.
As for me being paid for this blog or any of the articles, that's funny. Check out the "About Us" and "Fee Schedule" for more information about this blog. 99% of everything I write about I was paid zero and I clearly mark when I am paid.
You should be pleased that I won't be spending much more time in this. I only bother with it all because new believers or those whose faith has not yet been deepened may read it and actually take it seriously.
I can take trash, wrap it in cellophane, tie a pretty bow around it and put it in a crystal bowl but at its core it is still trash. You have done a miraculous thing. You have taken trash and turned it into the internet equivalent of ink on a page but at its core it is still trash. The devil is in the details. In this case si thinly veiled as to be nearly transparent. He never goes after other beliefs because he knows who the one true God is even when men do not. You speak of rampant consumerism. Why not speak against things which really promote rampant spending without a need. Instead you come against in many cases a two dollar chocolate cross. Give me a break.
And still, you did not address the cross being a symbol of resurrection, and new life.
Yes I read your words. All deceit must be wrapped in some truth or it would immediately be recognized for the falsehood that it is. As to wish you goodluck would be counter productive I will say, I'll pray for you.
I'm still not sure how my first questions back were offensive. After that I will admit that I got offended by the tone of your reply and attack on my Faith so I wasn't as nice in my second reply.
I'm sad that we couldn't engage in a civil discussion about the topics like I did with Andie.
I wish brentabell had replied because I could have pointed him to an interview we did with a chocolatier who did take that step showing Jesus on the cross one year.
However, I really could go for a Chocolate Fish as a joyful symbol of Christianity.
Helen
And yet, even though I don't much care for it, I really agree with Tammy's statements that this a "me" thing and doesn't need to be imposed on other people. The only thing she really asks of people is that they consume fair trade chocolate made with good ingredients, because the Fair Trade affects the producers, other people, and the good quality chocolate is the whole point of the blog.
We spend a good deal of time talking about companies so all you or anyone else would need to do is to use the "Search" button along the right hand side to see if you can find a company if you know a brand. You can also look under "Easter" in the "Labels" if you are looking for companies that have sent us products.
We don't tell you want to buy when we do product reviews. We describe our experience with the products, looking their claims, and give you what we've found you.
You have to make your own ethical choices. Which is why this post was entitled "Why Chocolate Crosses Distress Me as a Christian" not something like "Christians shouldn't buy Chocolate Crosses" or "Chocolate Crosses are Evil" -- both titles which would have gotten a lot more attention but won't be honest reflection of the post.
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