Over the past few decades, the number of Americans who identify as religiously unaffiliated—often referred to as “nones”—has grown rapidly. In the 1970s, only about 5% of Americans fell into this category. Today, that number exceeds 25%. Scholars have debated whether this change simply reflects a general decline in belief, or whether it signals something more complex. The research team wanted to explore the deeper forces at play: Why are people leaving institutional religion? What are they replacing it with? And how are their personal values shaping that process?
They wear symbols of a torturous execution device as jewelry, and use it to decorate their homes.
the thing is that the cross has taken on new meaning in christianity. to them, it’s not so much a “torturous execution device” as you have said, but rather proof that jesus christ can even live after that. in this way, it is a symbol of life after death, somehow.
Right. I was replying to someone who reframed a tradition of Christianity in a way which highlighted how it could be seen as disturbing or bizarre to someone who was unfamiliar with Christianity; I simply did the same with another tradition.