it depends on if its done tastefully. I actually don't do it, but mostly because that is not my style . . .i don't think twice when i see others do it.

i think those "jesus is my homeboy" shirts are ugly . . but they aren't what i consider fashion . . .

Not a big deal if worn right; I sometimes wear my long connemara marble roseary with certain outfits since it works well with it. No problem.

I think it's okay as long as the wearer understands the meaning and symbolism of the items they're wearing. Most often though, I think people sometimes wear these things without knowing their meaning and importance.

It personally doesn't bother me at all...never thought about it before actually.

I have to agree with leeluvfashion on this one

depends on the outfit...

I think it depends on the item, the outfit, and the wearer's beliefs.

I think it depends. It shouldn't be a main focus or so huge. Linds... That necklace is ridiculas. It's just way too big.

I don't think it's THAT big of a deal although I DO think it's tacky to wear rosary beads.

I don't really think it's that big of a deal, and I really don't care.

I have mixed feelings about this. I don't think it's an issue most of the time, but if you wear a religious symbol you open yourself up to others wanting to discuss its meaning with you and/or assuming you are wearing the symbol because you operate by the beliefs and values it represents. If you don't, and you are just wearing it because you like it as a fashion piece, you might offend someone. I am an atheist, and that elicits strong feelings from people, and since I don't practice a religion I feel no need to generally discuss religion but if I were to wear something representative of a religion than I am opening myself up to that possibility. I would only wear something religious if I really, really loved the piece. Just as I dislike it when people don't respect my religious beliefs, I don't want to come across as disrespectful of theirs.

If that's what you believe and it's worn tastefully as Asia84 said, it's fine. I have a couple of crosses that I wear every now and again.

I think it is fine as long as it is just a necklace, or like a charm. I also believe that if you really do worship him it is fine to wear a cross.

I think as long as you actually believe in the symbol youre wearing its cool. Im not catholic but my mother used to be and she has a medallion with the Virgin Mary on it that I wear. I am christian so I know who she was and what it means but I dont think its blasphemous because im not catholic.

Ehhhh. It's a personal choice.

I'm not religious, so it depends on the item(s) in question and the person wearing it. Is it a stylish, tasteful piece (in terms of style and fashion) and is a total moron wearing it? I happen to think Lilo looks like a total jackass with that oversized silver cross and her skull, um, skullcap (harharhar). And she's all in black and it's Lilo, so, um, sorry...she can't get away with that b/c that's not really her whole image..and I do still see her as a person that wants to have an image.

I do have a problem with people displaying an alleged spirituality or faith as a fashion statement (like all those red string Kabbalah bracelets a few tarts were wearing a few bits ago. They didn't mean it and now, since it seems to have passed out of style, those bracelts are no where to be seen. That is the most stupid thing I can think of related to this topic.)

i think if you actually believe in what you're wearing,then it's ok.i thought i wear a cross all the time

i think it really depends on who the person is and how they wear it. like lindsay lohan, yeah, please, take it off. i'm not even christian/catholic, but i'd feel offended if someone like her wore the cross.

Don't get me wrong, I have a cross I wear. Showing off your overly large religious symbols however, that is not in good taste.

i don't think that it's a big deal - because those who think that the symbols mean something will wear it in a different manner - you feel different when it's not 'costume'

I have a serious problem with it.Like te rosary is a major accessory now and noone understands its symbolism or meaning unless they have read about it or been brought up Catholic. I just find it sad that Christianity is used to look good. Like Paris Hilton doign the nasty with her various boyfriends with a rosary around ehr neck. Makes me soooo sick.

I agree with many of the postings here, if you believe what you are wearing then it's acceptable. And also, people who wear overly exaggerated pieces, like the cover photo for this poll... it's a ridicule. A cross for example, signifies that Jesus died on a cross to save us, the most horrible and humble death... yea let's bling it out and recreate it to it's lifesize form and hang it off of Li'l John's neck.

doesn't sound too appropriate to me.

And I agree with Katiefrog, you do open yourself up to debate and discussion.

In short, don't be tacky!! =)

oh yea, but i do agree with nyaradzom, rosaries are OUT of the question.

That is blasphemous and a slap in the face to us catholics.

And on Paris Hilton, I don't know how she didn't blow up in flames!

I honestly think it depends on the person...when a person like Lyndsay Lohan wears it as as she's driving drunk I think it's completly disrespectful

I personally do not think people should wear religious symbols in fashion. It's pretty disrespectful.

why is is disrespectful if its something you believe in?

I agree with the thoughts about the Homeboy shirts...I also don't think it's a good idea to mix the religious symbols.

Veronica how many celebs are catholic, to wear rosaries. How many of them are muslim, they are bandying the kaffiyeh about like a scarf but do they know anything about it? The kabbalah red string was the hottest accessory two years ago, did any of them even know what it was for? The Star ofDavid is worn but do people understand its significance? People wear crucifixes all the time but most of them probably haven't seen the mouth of a church in years. I can only speak from my religious point of view which is catholic but i don't wear a lot of our symbols cos I don't understand what it's for i don't even wear a rosary. i hate the t-shirts of the immaculate heart of mary or scared heart on t-shirts. Blech!

i see a lot of people with buddhist jewelry and i always wonder if they actually know anything about buddhism. i'm not a buddhist, but i've studied buddhism both in and out of school (religious studies is fascinating to me). i just think its sort of odd to wear a religious symbol that you know nothing about.

*are fascinating (not 'is fascinating'). sorry, it's finals week & i'm exhausted!

It seems a bit sacreligious to sport a big huge cross just because it's fashionable. It is meant to represent our Redeemer, not to be mocked. I have a cross--it is sterling and very plain and I love it. But I don't wear it because it's "trendy" or "in" but because it represents my Christian beliefs. I don't mean to get all preachy, but this has seriously got to stop!

as long as you love it... wear it!!! i totally agree!

I don't really understand this question. Is it bad to wear a necklace with a cross? No.

i'm not religious at ALL and i have a cross that i wear occasionally. i really think only if it's a very specific religious symbol (crucifix, hindu god, etc) should the wearer be prepared to defend or discuss their accessory choices.

umm how is it completely unacceptable to wear a rosary if you dont mean it, but nothing else? just because it isnt your religion doesnt make it less sacred to someone else. i personally find it really offensive that madonna and britney spears and demi moore have turned kabbalah, which is ancient jewish mysticism, into some pop culture phenomenon. the most offensive thing are these hebrew tattoos, because in judaism defiling your body like that is forbidden. i think if someone wants to display their religion thats their choice, but to take what someone else holds sacred and turn it into a fad is wrong.

i think it's great! i definitely agree that you should understand the meaning, but i think it's a great to be open to other religions and beliefs

As long as it's a special symbol for you I say do it.

gross
I'm not religious in any way
and am slightly offended when bombarded with 'holy' symbols.
I think crosses look trashy.
it just seem, to me, to say:
I'm the preacher's daughter, wanna screw ??

Unless you're a very religious person or belong to a mob (no, I don't find the two in common), you're most righteous to wear it. If you're wearing it for "fashion sake," you're that much closer to hell.

I'm not a religious person, but I'm not going to go out of my way to piss off those who have their faith in it. I do find it poor taste and it shouldn't be flaunted, unless you were of the two aforementioned.

I think someone can appreciate a religion on many levels, even if they don't happen to practice it. This could include enjoying religious art or music for its inherent beauty, not necessarily what it symbolizes. As for fashion, my boyfriend loves these sneakers (http://www.solebrother.com/Customized_Shoe_Gallery_Buddha_4_Buddha.html). He isn't Buddhist, but he appreciates aspects of the religion, along with aspects of many other religions as well. You can use fashion to show your acceptance of other cultures.

as someone who actually is catholic and has an understanding of things, it's not wrong to wear a rosary in itself. some religious orders did so, and i read that some of the Saints even encouraged it. the problem is the intent/context behind wearing it as opposed to simply taking it with you. the rosary is a sacramental which is to help our prayer life. if you wear it around your neck with the intention to help strengthen your faith in Christ and devotion to the Blessed Mother, then by all means do. it was made as an aid in prayer. but if you wear it as merely an accessory, it's quite offensive and demeaning to it's original purpose. many catholics will chastise you for wearing it, i've seen it, and i've done it in the past. but now that i've researched, i would simply give this answer to them. but it is more of a mutual understanding that wearing it around the neck makes it more of jewelry than a sacramental, which is why nearly every devout catholic will object to using it as a necklace. virtually every non catholic will think it's silly to be upset, but that's part of our belief and culture. most people are just ignorant, but it doesn't help when those with the knowledge chide the ignorant without love and compassion when they wear rosaries.