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?

I don’t think I’ve ever once looked at someone wearing a cross necklace and thought oh they must be a Christian. Tbh if I saw someone wearing any religious item I wouldn’t think oh they’re Muslim, Sikh etc

People will assume your a Christian of course because the cross is the sign of jesus dying for our sins. You know that and that's why you are worried about wearing it. If it bothers you then don't wear it. I don't know why a relative would buy someone a cross if they aren't a Christian it's odd. Many other types of jewellery to purchase.

The person in my family who is religious didn't buy it for me. The person who gave it to me wasn't a Christian, as far as I know. I think they just thought it was pretty. I'm not in contact with them anymore.

Crosses are extremely fashionable at the moment. A lot of the teenagers I teach (male and female) wear them. I’ve no idea how religious they are and it doesn’t impact how I perceive them.

I know that's why it's odd. If you want to wear it, wear it but people will assume your Christian (and won't care) but it seems you don't want them to so there's your answer.

I wouldn’t wear a cross or a crucifix. Not my religion, not my symbol.

I lost mine but I wore it for years although I'm a Catholic. No one ever mentioned it, I don't think other people are that interested. It was something someone close to me gave me.

I'm a Christian and wear a cross but I always assume that when people wear a cross, it's not for religious reasons. That's because everyone I know who wears a cross has a reason other than the crucifixion of Christ as their motivation. The bigger the cross, the more I assume its a non believer.

Buffy always used to wear a cross, despite not being religious as far as I can tell.

Pair it with a prom dress and leather jacket every time you wear it and cosplay as a vampire slayer.

Surely just layer it with other necklaces. If you wear a coin / a star / a plain chunky chain with it then it will look styled rather than religious. Especially with a buttoned shirt.

if you wear it as a single item over a plain black or navy sweater then people might assume you are an off duty vicar…

I would not want to wear a symbol of an instrument of torture.

I think some people will presume you're religious and others won't care or notice.

I wouldn't want to be associated with any religion. I dont even like brand logos and sports team shirts!

This is an excellent and simple idea that I will copy!

I don’t think anyone would give it a second thought tbh.

Personally I’d never wear a cross necklace if I wasn’t Christian. It’s literally the symbol for Christianity and will of course be perceived as that by others.
In the same way I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing a salvar kamees or hijab if I wasn’t Sikh or Muslim. You’re representing the religion in effect.

If you care that you appear religious then don't wear things that identify with religion. It's that simple.

I really don’t think anyone would even care.

If I see someone wearing a cross, I assume they are religious. So yanbu.

I understand OP, I'd feel uncomfortable wearing it as well. Wouldn't want people to think I'm religious. I have a beautiful dragonfly pendant that on a passing glance might be mistaken for a cross. I don't often wear it for that reason. I know it's silly but can't help the way I feel.

I’m not religious (if i ruled the world i’d prob ban religion).
Just wear the chain?

I am not in anyway religious but I do like Celtic and Maltese crosses but don't wear them although I am thinking about it!!

This post made me want to start wearing mine again. Its solid silver & a gift from DH many years ago 😀

You can’t adopt Christian symbols and then complain they don’t represent you.

Wear it with an entirely black outfit and even more crosses and crucifixes… people will think you are a goth, vampire hunter or Madonna circa 1992.

A lot of atheists wear a cross?! Don’t be ludicrous.

OP if you wear a cross you are essentially telling the world that you are a Christian. It’s not just like any other piece of jewellery.