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Permalink Reply by Rachel on June 14, 2012 at 2:03am

The cross itself is not necessarily Christian. I can't think off hand what sources the cross has come from in religions other than Christianity, but what little I do recall is that it has multiple meanings, depending on which religion it may have come from. I'm not sure if that tidbit will help your feelings, but it could be a starting point for some research, if you like. I've always just viewed it as yet another pretty thing Christianity adopted somewhere along the way and don't worry much about it.

If I were in your place, I wouldn't offer the information on why I wasn't wearing it unless she asked. If she did ask, then you may as well be honest and say you don't really feel comfortable wearing it. If she presses on that, you can explain that its general use as a Christian symbol makes you feel uncomfortable, so you prefer not to wear it, but it isn't that you didn't appreciate the gift. Hopefully, she'll understand you don't mean her any ill will and she'll be okay with that.

My friend did something similar to this, actually. She got me a cross for my birthday once, and then some kind of Christian themed ornamental trinket later on. I was fortunate that she never asked why I didn't wear the necklace or why I never displayed the trinket, though...

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Permalink Reply by Jaret on June 25, 2012 at 11:13pm

Attach the chain to the bottom of the cross and wear it upside down. If she really was giving you the gift as a non religious symbol, this wont offend her. If she gave it to you as a religious symbol she will be offended, but not anymore than you should be. 

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