Atheists, how do you feel about wearing jewelry that depicts symbols for a religion you do not follow?
Atheists, how do you feel about wearing jewelry that depicts symbols for a religion you do not follow?
I do a lot of costumed events and I frequently where jewelry for religions that I do not follow as part of the costume/character. Just recently I started seriously being aware of this fact and it gave me pause. I wanted to know how other people feel about it.
Examples:
I have a handmade silver rosary with a crucifix blessed in Rome that was given to me by a catholic former girlfriend. I occasionally like to wear it because it is beautiful and it reminds me of the good times we had. I am not a catholic and never have been.
I have a sterling ankh with cartouche (supposedly) imported from Egypt given to me by an follower of Kemetism (Egyptian Reconstructionist Paganism). We are close friends, and I know that the pendant meant a lot to him before he gave it to me. I do not follow Kemetism.
I have a handsome brass and copper Vodun Veve of Loa Agwe (protector of sailors and travelers) that I wear when I dress like a pirate. I know that it is consecrated because I did it myself. I am not a Houngan.
Theses are just some examples. Part of what has made me aware of it is that when I am wearing these symbols prominently people of that religion (or that choose to oppose that religion) approach me to talk about the symbols. Though I do not follow these religions, I NEVER wear something that I do not have some knowledge of; my crowd was big into wearing symbols, logos and flair designed to make a statement or draw attention, and we distained logos or symbols just for their popularity.
Personally, I am a Henotheist. I accept that there may be other gods, but I only worship my god. My god does not mind that I wear symbols of other religions, but I am not entirely sure how the other gods feel about it.
As a guy I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, but I’ll state my opinion anyways. Usually I could care less what the symbolism of the jewelry is. I agree that is is often beautiful and we should not hide it away just because we disagree with its symbolic meaning. Of course, at the same time this means that while wearing the jewelry we might lead others to make false judgments about us.
Pagans, how do you feel about wearing jewelry that depicts symbols for a religion you do not follow?
I’d feel daft in any jewellery! It’s just not my thing.
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personally, i worship my tennis shoes, they help keep me healthy
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easy question.
i don’t wear jewelry. only a watch.
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totally indifferent.
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They sound simply divine darling
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lol only joking
Well… I wear a cross but I bought it at a zoo cuz it donates all the money for animals….
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I don’t wear religious jewelry.
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are you describing idols? are they not a commandment breaker?
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I’m agnostic, but I like Om symbols…
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A symbol is only a symbol if you attach some higher meaning to it. If I dont believe in the cross then it is nothing more than a pretty necklace to me.
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If you like it and it looks good, it’s no big deal — in my teens & early 20′s, I used to wear an "ankh" earring all the time…
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ewww to religion, let alone wearing it, its kind of like your supporting it.
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It doesn’t appeal to me, but it’s meaningless.
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more importantly, how do christians feel about wearing the emblem of their saviors torture proudly around their neck? that, to me, is like a devout jew wearing swastika patches.
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I don’t believe in religion but I love learning about them. I’d wear jewelery of religions.
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if it’s purty, i’ll wear it. i have some pagan symbols for necklaces because i like the design. doesn’t bother me, it’s just jewelery.
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Don’t care
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Agnostic Atheist – I don’t know and I don’t believe
It’s sort of like what’s the point? Do ya really have to go around with a big symbol so that everyone knows what group you belong to? It’s a little tribalistic and I don’t see how it’s necessary.
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The only religiously-inclined piece of jewelry I own is a yin-yan symbol made of mother of pearl and onyx. It is quite lovely and simply reminds me of how important balance is in the world. I have no god, and I don’t feel it implies a belief in a higher power.
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Jewelry is jewelry. I do not associate it with religion. If it catches my eye, I buy it.
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As a guy I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, but I’ll state my opinion anyways. Usually I could care less what the symbolism of the jewelry is. I agree that is is often beautiful and we should not hide it away just because we disagree with its symbolic meaning. Of course, at the same time this means that while wearing the jewelry we might lead others to make false judgments about us.
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That would be pointless.
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I don’t do it, but I don’t really care. If someone wants to where an ankh, it wouldn’t offend me just because they don’t follow the ancient Egyptian Pagan religion.
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I am not atheist. But I also believe they are all just symbols unless you attach a personal religious meaning to them. To condemn someone for wearing a symbol they may not even know the significance of (which you already said you do and is fine) that may be readily available to the public, is insensitive, egotistical, and just plain poor manners. However when you display them in public, you are in a way inviting questions, comments, and discussions about them. If you’re not comfortable with that you can either not wear them in public, or just politely say, "It was a gift from a dear friend" and leave it at that.
In my opinion, Gods are not so easily offended. Followers of those religions should be glad that you have chosen their symbols to wear in public bringing some level of awareness to their religions.
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