Christian crosses on gangbangers - what's it about?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

wouldn't the activities of your general gang member or street hood tend to go against the teachings of the church though?

Not necessarily. Which church and which teachings?

I'm just curious about something. What do you think of these symbols and their usage?

With the Confederate flag, the thing that immediately comes to mind is that it's a cross, too... a version of the St. Andrew's cross, specifically.

 

[nnmartin]

let's say the average stereotype gang member that goes around beating people up, stealing, drug dealing, cavorting with hookers and smoking crack.

that would go against the Catholic church , right?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

let's say the average stereotype gang member that goes around beating people up, stealing, drug dealing, cavorting with hookers and smoking crack.

that would go against the Catholic church , right?

Parts of it, I suppose, though not more than a lot of other people.

I had a quick look at what the Catechism has to say about drugs, and it forbids illegal drugs only as a general position on temperance and forbids them along with abuse of "food, alcohol, tobacco or medicine"... but would you have asked why we see 3-pack-a-day smokers or overeaters wearing crosses?

 

[nnmartin]

I am thinking of the whole gangbanger type package here though.

add to the drugs the other issues I mentioned, and we are not just talking about your regular overeater or smoker.

so there is a difference here.

 

[Kathryn]

With the Confederate flag, the thing that immediately comes to mind is that it's a cross, too... a version of the St. Andrew's cross, specifically.

So I guess that Lynard Skynard doesn't really mean to be flying the Confederate flag during their concert - they're really just paying homage to St Andrew.

OK.

 

[Viker]

So I guess that Lynard Skynard doesn't really mean to be flying the Confederate flag during their concert - they're really just paying homage to St Andrew.

OK.

I think it's just their version of a middle finger. I'm Southern but partial to the US flag if any. My first 1911 pistol had Rebel flag grips. Of course, I bought it 20 years ago like that off of a 1%-er on his way to prison for all eternity. I still have that pistol laying around in my safe.

 

[Kathryn]

I think it's just their version of a middle finger. I'm Southern but partial to the US flag if any. My first 1911 pistol had Rebel flag grips. Of course, I bought it 20 years ago like that off of a 1%-er on his way to prison for all eternity. I still have that pistol laying around in my safe.

I'm not attacking the Confederate flag. I'm just using it as an example of the effect of symbolism.

 

[Viker]

I'm not attacking the Confederate flag. I'm just using it as an example of the effect of symbolism.

I know. I don't see much use for it unless it is for battle reenactments. It's a symbol that should be let go of. War's over, Union won fair and square.lol

As far as gangbangers wearing crosses. I haven't seen many do this. Of course, there are few of those around here ( thankfully ).

 

[Kathryn]

I know. I don't see much use for it unless it is for battle reenactments. It's a symbol that should be let go of. War's over, Union won fair and square.lol

As far as gangbangers wearing crosses. I haven't seen many do this. Of course, there are few of those around here ( thankfully ).

Well, I guess Neil Young will remember a southern man don't need him around anyhow.

 

[Viker]

Well, I guess Neil Young will remember a southern man don't need him around anyhow.

I love Neil Young and Skynyrd. What's a good ole boy sposed to do?

 

[Kathryn]

I love Neil Young and Skynyrd. What's a good ole boy sposed to do?

I know, right? Same here. I've got one wheel on the road and one in the ditch!

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I am thinking of the whole gangbanger type package here though.

add to the drugs the other issues I mentioned, and we are not just talking about your regular overeater or smoker.

so there is a difference here.

Gangbangers usually are not like that, though. They're much like Cynics IMO.

Drugs are not sins, being poor is not a sin, etc. Yes they steal etc. but usually it's for a need.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Also, have you ever thought they wear them for the looks? Because crosses do, in fact, look nice. I have a cross necklace that I wear quite often, but I'm far from Christian.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

So I guess that Lynard Skynard doesn't really mean to be flying the Confederate flag during their concert - they're really just paying homage to St Andrew.

OK.

No, that wasn't my point. I was more getting at the fact that Christian symbology had been used in non-religious contexts for almost as long as there has been Christian symbology. When a Trinidadian or a Scotsman, for instance, put his country's flag on his car, we don't ask whether he really demonstrates the Christian virtues symbolized by the saltire in his flag.

I guess what I'm getting at is that people uses crosses in ways that have nothing to do with Christianity all the time, so I don't see why we shiuld be surprised when a gangbanger does it, too.

 

[Kathryn]

No, that wasn't my point. I was more getting at the fact that Christian symbology had been used in non-religious contexts for almost as long as there has been Christian symbology. When a Trinidadian or a Scotsman, for instance, put his country's flag on his car, we don't ask whether he really demonstrates the Christian virtues symbolized by the saltire in his flag.

I guess what I'm getting at is that people uses crosses in ways that have nothing to do with Christianity all the time, so I don't see why we shiuld be surprised when a gangbanger does it, too.

A flag is a symbol too. when a Trinidadian or a Scotsman puts his country's flag on his car, he's saying something with that symbol. Just as you recognize the Scots flag, you recognize the Confederate flag - and you realize that though they both are crosses, they are a symbol of a nation.

I'm not SURPRISED when a gangbanger uses religious symbolism. I'm not saying they shouldn't be allowed to use it. I do think that it's, well, ironic usage of a Christian symbol. Pointless, actually.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

A flag is a symbol too. when a Trinidadian or a Scotsman puts his country's flag on his car, he's saying something with that symbol. Just as you recognize the Scots flag, you recognize the Confederate flag - and you realize that though they both are crosses, they are a symbol of a nation.

I'm not SURPRISED when a gangbanger uses religious symbolism. I'm not saying they shouldn't be allowed to use it. I do think that it's, well, ironic usage of a Christian symbol. Pointless, actually.

I'm not surprised, especially in the case of Latino gangs: if a symbol pervades a culture, it's likely to be seen as an identifying mark of that culture, regardless of the meaning that others place on it.

And I think that there's a long association of the cross with violence, anyhow. According to popular myth, it first gained widespread acceptance because Constantine used it as his battle standard (and before anyone says anything, I know that he actually used the Chi-Rho, not the modern cross, but I'm speaking of the myth here) - Crusaders painted their shields with it. The French version of my own country's national anthem has a line that translates to "as our arms have carried the sword, so have they carried the cross."

You can say that this association of the cross with violence is a corruption of the Christian message, but again: plenty of nasty, violent people were using the cross as their symbol long before the gangbangers came on the scene.

 

[Kathryn]

I'm not surprised, especially in the case of Latino gangs: if a symbol pervades a culture, it's likely to be seen as an identifying mark of that culture, regardless of the meaning that others place on it.

And I think that there's a long association of the cross with violence, anyhow. According to popular myth, it first gained widespread acceptance because Constantine used it as his battle standard (and before anyone says anything, I know that he actually used the Chi-Rho, not the modern cross, but I'm speaking of the myth here) - Crusaders painted their shields with it. The French version of my own country's national anthem has a line that translates to "as our arms have carried the sword, so have they carried the cross."

You can say that this association of the cross with violence is a corruption of the Christian message, but again: plenty of nasty, violent people were using the cross as their symbol long before the gangbangers came on the scene.

I've never argued contrary to that.

 

[ChristineES]

what is it with the fashion for wearing crucifix pendants?

this seems to be a common trend amongst young male macho badboys

where on earth did this idea come from and how is it supposed to be considered cool?

Honour, respect, family perhaps - but why the silver crucifix?

The gangbanger may have a religious family. Or the Gangbanger may just be wearing as a fad or because he likes the design. You'd have to ask each one to get the answer.

 

[Father Heathen]

(and how about 'like a virgin' - what is that song supposed to be about?)

[youtube]NRd2gti9rHE[/youtube]
Like a Virgin - Reservoir Dogs (1/12) Movie CLIP (1992) HD - YouTube