Contemplating Lent?

I think it doesn't really matter if the cross was in fact a cross, or if it was an execution stake. We know that both His hands and feet were nailed to it. In regard to this it would make sense that the actual execution stake had the shape of a cross.

Christians have made the cross into something it was never meant to be. They have also abused it for centuries. It's not the cross as such, but rather what happened there that was meant to become symbolic.

I do not believe that the cross is the sign of the antichrist even though, to many Jews it would certainly seem like it!

The Bible clearly and undeniably teaches that Jesus died on a cross (Matthew 27:32,40,42; Mark 15:21,30,32; Luke 23:26; John 19:17,19,25; Acts 2:23; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; Colossians 1:20; 2:14-15). The Greek words in those Scriptures specifically identify a cross, not a pole or stake. The most common method of execution by the Romans in Jesus’ time was crucifying a person on a cross, with nails through their hands/wrists and feet/ankles. Sometimes people were tied to the cross in addition to be nailed to it. There were instances where people were crucified to pole, stakes, trees, x-shaped crosses, etc. Ultimately, it does not matter what Jesus was crucified on. At the same time, the Bible specifically states that Jesus was crucified on a cross.

Different areas of Christianity have different shaped crosses. Ignoring those that are merely decorative, they are based on the type of crucifix used by the Romans in that area. There are four major early crosses. They are the Latin cross, or the crossed bars; the St. Andrew cross, or the x; the Tau cross or basically the capital T; and the Byzantine cross, which is the Latin cross with a footbar. No one knows the shape of the cross that Jesus died on, but peoples who were crucified remembered very well the shape their friends were executed on. Their friends became other Christs in their martyrdom. The actual shape is an irrelevant detail, it is the cruelty and evil that it represents and that was conquered that matter.

No one says you have to stay with any religion.

God gave you like a shield so that demons don't harm you, but when you sin or do something spiritually wrong, you open yourself up to demonic influence. For example, chanting mantras leads to demon possession. It's not the words that get you possessed; it's the rhythm. Buddhists worship fake mountain Kailash in Tibet inside which demons have a UFO base. Barcode is Druid black magic curse. Mediums are shown pictures and given thoughts by demons. Demons move the Ouija board. Demons=Ghosts=Spirit Guides=Aliens. Demons never do good. Demons fly in UFOs. Crystal balls, tarot cards, barcodes, tattoos, talismans, masks, skulls, amulets, etc. attract demons. Meditation, chanting mantras, and astral projection lead to demon possession. Casting spells is asking demons for help. Ask Greek Orthodox priest to help you out (blessing your house, etc.) Most dreams and thoughts are from demons. To break any curse, pray slowly the Psalm "the Lord is my light and my salvation" 40 times a day for 40 straight days. That's 1600 times in total. Also, if you're in any trouble (like sleep paralysis), scream: JESUS ! Jesus will come back to end the flying antichrist's rule when this antichrist conceives a thought in his evil mind that he 666-isotope-ray-lasered everyone. Antichrist's minions came up with Dec. 21 in order to desensitize people to the real events predicted in the Bible. Antichrist is 0% God and 100% man. He's possessed by Satan since he's 12 years old. He flies. He wears gloves to hide long nails. He's pale with red eyes. He's surrounded by demons who appear as angels of light. 666ed people go to permanent hell. 666 is given by lasers (isotope rays) on wrist or forehead when people stretch hands to receive small plastic grey card (world passport). Reject 666. Don't go into a UFO to be healed by demons. Those who reject 666 will go to heaven. Also, their direct ancestors will be saved from hell. Dinosaurs live under our level. They will get out through sinkholes and lakes. To kill them, go for their nerves. Again, 666 is given by isotope rays on wrist or forehead when people stretch hands to receive small plastic grey card (world passport). Police will chip and isotope ray people on highways. Food stores will isotope ray people too. Antichrist will also release prisoners to mark people. Reject 666 at all cost. If you're about to be marked, scream: "Lord, have mercy!" three times. Go hide with Orthodox Christians to escape 666. After death, 3 days you here, then you're shown hell and heaven from 3rd until 9th day after death, then from 9th until 40th day demons accuse you of sins; that was before, now people just straight out go to temporary hell because of Social Security; but 666ed people go to permanent hell right away; 666 is given when people stretch hands to accept the evil plastic card. Before Jesus preached in hell, all people (except Enoch and Elijah) went to hell. Now, aborted kids go to hell for 33 and a half years. After crucifiction, Jesus preached in hell. Those who believed, got out of hell. Suicide leads to hell. Maximum torture is at the bottom (ice hell) for biggest sinners. Stalin is head in boiling water. When he tries to get out, demons push him back in. Others stand up to knees or up to chest in boiling water. There are different punishments in hell. If you didn't do anything bad, you're in a dark room. Also, hell is not permanent now. So, it's possible to get out, especially if you're prayed for and your relatives give to charity in the name of Archangel Michael. http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=e... http://fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/life_a... http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=e...