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 wouldn’t wear it because it’s a symbol of something I don’t believe in. I wouldn’t be able to look at it without thinking of what it represents, so I don’t really understand why you’d wear it if you’re not a Christian.

If you wear a cross people will think you are a Christian.

If you wear a crucifix people will think you are a very religious Christian.

It’s up to you wether this bothers you or not.

I'm an atheist and don’t wear a cross, I also don’t wear a Star of David, a hijab or a Buddha symbol….

This! I’m not much of goth anymore but still have an alternative style and still own/wear a cross and crucifix because I grew up in a Christian environment. I don’t particularly care if people assume I’m Christian from it but most people don’t.

Then that takes me back to my original wow.

If you don’t want to be mistaken for a Christian then don’t wear a Christian symbol. Wear it if you want to, you can always just explain you like it as a piece of jewellery if anyone asks.

This, nobody, Christian or otherwise, has ever really cared why I wear a crucifix as an atheist.

I’m happy to discuss this if you want to say more. Do you feel persecuted as a Christian in the UK?

I'm not a Christian. I'm atheist. I will though speak up when I see a religion being singled out as the OP has not so cleverly done. The thread title is deliberately goady. Nobody should feel persecuted for their religion or made to feel their religion is less worthy than others. This thread stinks.

I absolutely agree with you. This thread, however, is specifically about Christianity. I understand your “wow” even less!

Nonsense, and I say that as a Catholic whose mother had to leave her home city due to sectarianism because she couldn’t get a job.

The UK is a Christian country. Christianity is our state religion. Christians are nowhere near being persecuted here and to imply they are because of a fairly innocuous thread (which most people have understood) is nonsense.

Yes because of course saying you don't want to look like a Muslim by wearing a headscarf, would really work. 🙄

It would, in some contexts

Why would you want to wear round your neck as decoration an instrument of torture and murder? Have it melted down and turned into something more acceptable.

Today's equivalent would be an electric chair - in gold? - round your neck?

Story I was once told: woman goes into jewellers to buy a cross and chain. Rather dim assistant asks: "Do you want a plain one, or one with a little man on it?" - always makes me laugh.

1. If you're Christian it's not " decoration"- it's a statement of faith.
2. A "plain" ( ie empty) cross symbolises the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If it’s a cross, it’s always going to be seen as a religious symbol especially little delicate ones. I wear mine sometimes, mostly under my clothing to he honest because it can be taken badly by some atheists (never by people of other faiths, they respect people of other religions!)

I voted yanbu and I am a Christian. I wouldn't want to have any sort of atheist symbol hanging round my neck either tbf.

I wish some women would think twice before wearing certain clothing lest they be perceived as a baboon in heat. Do we really think that much about how we are perceived? On one hand, we obviously do, on the other, we are always going on about why we shouldn't

You have no control over others thoughts or perceptions, only your own. Do what makes you happy, people are going to think what they want regardless, so you might as well wear what you like.

🙄

Saying it if you’re planning to wear the sort of headscarf popularised by the Late Queen would be ridiculous. Saying it to explain why you wouldn’t wear a hijab-absolutely fine. Although as the hijab is not, as far as I know, ever worn as a fashion statement by non Muslims, never likely to occur.

Crucifix would indicate catholic (to me). A bare cross would indicate ‘other’ Christian belief (again, to me). My mum was catholic and wore a crucifix every day. My best friend is a military C of E Padre and wears a bare cross.

I am not a believer in any God/god so don’t wear either 😬. When my mum died I had her crucifix in a box for ages, then decided I would have it made into something that I would wear (along with some other gold that I’d inherited)…so had it remodelled into a simple heart shaped pendant with one of the diamonds from her engagement ring on one side of the heart. I now wear this every day. Seems fitting, and much better than getting cobwebs in a drawer.

Could you maybe do something similar OP…have it remodelled so that you still have the sentimental attachment to the gold but as something you would actually love wearing?

Would most good jewellers be able to do that? It’s 24 kt. I’m worried some of the gold would be lost in the process, or it wouldn’t look so pretty and I’d regret it. I like the fact that it has one little cross on top of a slightly bigger cross (but not stuck together) and the one on the back has a pattern. It’s unusual. I just wish it didn’t have so many connotations. Going by these comments, wearing it as a non-Christian seems to be problematic for a significant number of people and it don’t want to offend anyone.

A woman wearing a hijab his going to look like a Muslim. A woman wearing a Star of David is going to look like a Jew. A woman wearing a small gold cross (so obviously not a fashion item) is going to look like a Christian.

There’s nothing wrong with looking like you practice a faith that you don’t but it’s giving off a wrong impression, which may or may not bother you, and could lumber you with tedious explanations you might rather avoid.

This really isn’t difficult to understand unless you’re being purposefully obtuse.

I don't think these are equivalent though as a cross has a wider cultural significance (in the uk) that goes beyond just religion