Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

I read every single reply before I felt I could add my own thoughts to this discussion. When you asked for an honest opinion of the piece of jewlery, my gut reaction was one of fear and I was troubled that someone would make that. I really had to think about why I had that reaction and I think it had to do with the fact that the star of david was behind the cross and to me it looked like the star was repressed. But then I sat here and read your posts and I tried to look at it differently. To the posters who said it reminds them of Jews for Jesus -- it does have that connotation for me as well. But now that I have read and learned so much from everyone, I realize that there are many different views and faiths. It must be rather difficult to blend families and religions.

With all that said, if the jewlery makes you happy then you should wear it, but I really think it would offend your FMIL based on other posts you made. I am still not sure how I feel about it, and after the 20 minutes I have spent thinking about it, I am still not sure.
I happen to love the Celtic knot with the star of david, but I tend to think that a person who would wear that would identify themselves as an Irish Jew. I don't see the Celtic symbol as having a religious connotation as a cross does.

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

This most definitely is a JFJ symbol they sell them on their website...I am really really really really really really sorry to say this, but for the most part, I don't like it because I simply think its not very attractive!!!

Also, I wanted to say that as a Brassy Jewess married to a Gentile man, I also would be offended to see someone wearing this. I don't like to see people who aren't Jewish wearing a Star of David.

I was remembering the 80's and when Madonna was really popular and her look was lots of crucifixes and pearls, those were really popular. Anyway, even when it was a big trend, no Jewish person what I knew would EVER EVER wear a crucifix!

Link to Jews for Jesus Shop

No disrespect in anyway, but I wonder who you are trying to convince about this pendant!

At the end of the day, if you like it and it fits your beliefs...you should totally buy it and love it! I mean, if I believed in the great pork chop in the sky, and they made necklaces with the great porcine leader on it, I would have one also!!!

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

I did not read through everyone's responses, but I will say that you will always offend SOMEONE with everything you do or say, so I'd worry less about everyone else's opinion, and focus more on what YOU want to wear. You will be much happier in the end if you go by what you feel comfortable wearing.

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Posted by giggles

Posted by IrishTracy

Posted by Redhead

DOn't know why it would offend anyone...
Your faith is all about YOU. If you want the pendant get it...

exactly.

I agree!!!

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Posted by neeniebean86

Posted by giggles

Posted by IrishTracy

Posted by Redhead

DOn't know why it would offend anyone...
Your faith is all about YOU. If you want the pendant get it...

exactly.

I agree!!!

me too

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

There is no way it should offend anyone. It is a reality- there are so many people that are interfaith and you are expressing something that you should be proud of. And you know what, if it does bother people TOO BAD!

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

and i think you are giving people too much credit. if i see a necklace like that, i don't think anything of it. and what do i care what that person believes.

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

very nice no problem here

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

It is your decision. If that is your belief, then get it and wear it proudly.

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

My brother wore one for a while (Dad is Jewish, Mom is Christian)...however as many prior posters said it was assumed to be Jews for Jesus pendant. He stopped wearing it.


ETA: I by no means feel it would offend anyone, its more of what you are trying to "say" by wearing it.

Message edited 6/18/2006 9:53:44 AM.

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Thanks so much for the opinions, it honestly helped me think about everything through and through. The JFJ pendant isn't quite like that, but of course most people don't know that. The classic JFJ pendandy has cross inside a star. Also, it's funny taht some people pointed out that the cross is in front of the star, because I specificlaly picked that one because the sizes are more equally. The pendants I'vee seen Christians wear have a very tiny star of david, and i didn't want either to be dwarfed. One though I did have is that I've worn my cross and miraculous medal in shul before and no one said anything about it, and I've seen other people doing the same. I think in the Jewish community we hope to continue to be a part of, it will be accepted and understood.

It also reminds me of the part in Avenue Q when Gary Coleman says Jesus was black amd and everyone argues, no no, jesus what white, and then someone elss says "Guys...jesus was jewish", and everyone cracks up. Silly!

There are a lot of reasons I feel the symbol is appropriate. Jesus was Jewish. Christians were a sect of Judaism. The promises that the cross represents would be meaningless without the Torah and the rest of the OT. It's important to the faith, and to tolerance, to remember that. For me personally, it's important to participate in the rituals Jesus participated in and would participate in today. Also, I feel I have gained and will continue to gain a lot from stuyding and "practicing" aspects of Judaism. It also represents the wonderful interfaith family we're creating. Thansk for helping me clarify everything.

Thanks for a great discussion. I appreciate all of the feedback.

Message edited 6/18/2006 12:06:40 PM.

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Not sure if this helps at all but my sister used to wear a Chai & a Cross.

Also here is another version of your first choice with the cross smaller:

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

Re: No flames please: Help me anticipate what kind of responses I'd get wearing something like this

To clarify - they were 2 separate charms she wore on a chain. I would think the Chai (Jewish meaning :Life) & the Cross would be a lot less controversial.