AIBU to not want to look like a Christian

[Todaytodaytodaytoday]

First of all, I have nothing against Christians. I have friends and family members of that faith, whom I respect and admire. My dilemma (if you can call it that) is that I was once given a beautiful gold necklace with a little crucifix on it. Not a big jesus-y one - just a solid gold cross with a pattern on it, with another smaller cross in front of that - not that big. The thing is, I love it and want to wear it, but on the odd occasion I do, I feel self-consious, believing people will assume I am religious. I don't know why this bothers me - I know it shouldn't - but I think it has something to do with identity and self-expression. It just feels wrong somehow. I don't want to be perceived as anything other than I am. Am I being silly?

YANBU, I doubt you'd wear a hijab or a tichel either, would you?

It’s a bare cross, not a crucifix. A crucifix has a Jesus figure on it. I don’t think most people would think twice about a bare cross.

What a completely genuine and not remotely goady post.

Why can't you wear it under a blouse, seems rather excessive not to wear a lovely piece of jewellery just in case someone may think your "religious", self expression is about what you want, not what others think. Saying you've nothing against Christians because you know some is a bit offensive,

Is it a cross or a crucifix OP?

A cross/crucifix is always going to be seen as a christian symbol for a lot of people. Up to you if you want to wear it or not.

Lots of atheists and indeed devil worshippers wear a cross, although not with reverence.

It won’t burn into you unless you are a vampire.

oh, do you deal with people who are discriminating against Christians? Because that is just as illegal as discrimination against other faiths ( though you might not think so).

Could you take the cross off and change it for something else?

Wear it, don't wear it. Noone cares. You're in the UK (I presume), not France. Genuinely, nobody will give a shit. 🤷‍♀️

It's a cross, and you can wear it if you want. But do you actually want to? You feel uncomfortable doing so

It’s not illegal to wear a crucifix in France ( except in certain specified professional settings). Jewellers are full of them, they are a common present for children.

I am in the UK and if I saw someone wearing a cross necklace I'd assume they have a connection to Christianity possibly being a believer though I wouldn't assume they are super religious. If they were wearing many different religious symbols on a necklace, as I have seen in some shops and on some people, then I'd guess it's to show religious tolerance.
If you don't want to be assumed Christian wear it tucked in or don't wear it. Most people will pass you by without looking that closely but the ones who notice it, yes some will assume you're Christian.

People make assumptions about us all the time according to things we choose to wear, do or are born with. Some people will assume your religion just from your ethnic appearance or name or nationality... you have to own your narrative and be strong and confident in yourself because people will assume your identity all the time.

I doubt anyone would care.

The vast majority of people won't notice or care what necklace. Even the local vicar, should you bump into him/her in Sainsbury's, won't give two hoots. Enjoy it.

Yes, I would assume you were a Christian. And I doubt people would give it a second thought. There are apparently 2.4b in the world.

I suppose some Christians may comment on it, seeing you as a fellow member of the Christian community.

I’m Muslim and I often say ‘peace be upon you’ to fellow Muslims. We are a community.

I would assume you’re a Christian. Maybe wear it with a Cradle of Filth t-shirt to throw them off the scent?

I've got a great big, gothicky, Greek orthodox cross on a heavy chain (was my mothers). Neither of us are/were Christians. It's just a lovely piece of quirky jewellery. But everytime I wear it, people comment on my non-existent religion.

Wear it upside down and everyone will assume you’re a satanist instead?

Crosses were fashion statements in the 80s. I think if you have a Christian background then fine to wear even if you aren't. I wouldn't necessarily think everyone wearing a cross was a practising Christian.

My Dsis had a beautifully delicate necklace from her DH grandma . It's a star of David and she wears it regularly. Thankfullyvshes never experienced any hate for it but explains its special to her because if the family member who gave her it not the religious significance.

I wear a Hand of Fatima which is associated with Islam but never worry sir care what other people think. It means protection.

it only feels wrong if you make it so.

For me it's just jewellery. If you like the way it looks then wear it. No point wearing it and hiding it. Either it looks good aesthetically with your outfit or it doesn't.

I don't think anyone necessarily would think you're a devout Christian. If they knew you they'd know you're not and it's just a fashion statement/it looks cute.

Do you think there's a chance you could be abused by strangers for being 'christian'? If so I guess don't wear it. Not quite the same but I get verbally abused when I wear my teams football top!

I mean, I’d probably assume you had Christian beliefs, but in the U.K. that’s a pretty benign and broad camp. I have friends who would describe themselves as quietly Christian and only go to church for high days and holidays, they aren’t raving evangelists. A general allegiance to the C of E and vague belief in the Biblical god is pretty common in England, without those people necessarily being massively religious or even practicing. I sincerely doubt anyone is going to give it any thought at all.

I’ve worn a St Christopher necklace everyday since I was a child. I’m sure some people might see it and think I’m religious, but I don’t care. Why does it matter if people think you are?

Goth here. I wear crosses, pentagrams both upright and inverted, anything that appeals to me really, and if people make assumptions I give not one shiny shit. My beliefs, such as they are, are my own business.