Is It in Poor Taste to Wear Religious Symbols as Fashion?

December 18, 2007

by POPSUGAR Fashion 41

Crosses, rosaries, Buddha, evil eye protectors, etc.

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41 Comments

4 years 2 days

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.

LorieGolden 5 years 15 weeks

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.

avantassell 5 years 17 weeks

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.

kidinthesixties 5 years 20 weeks

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 ??

amber_castaldo 5 years 21 weeks

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

Fergie Ferg 5 years 21 weeks

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

beautyandbeast42 5 years 21 weeks

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.

kstraw23 5 years 21 weeks

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.

Wicked 5 years 21 weeks

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

cocca 5 years 21 weeks

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

ellebelle 5 years 21 weeks

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!

brittany8 5 years 21 weeks

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

brittany8 5 years 21 weeks

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.

nyaradzom2001 5 years 21 weeks

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!

mlmoreno47 5 years 21 weeks

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

veronicaraye 5 years 21 weeks

why is is disrespectful if its something you believe in?

alillee 5 years 21 weeks

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

mlo319 5 years 21 weeks

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

mimosa1028 5 years 21 weeks

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!

mimosa1028 5 years 21 weeks

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!! =)

nyaradzom2001 5 years 21 weeks

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.

ilanac13 5 years 21 weeks

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'

elbgirl85 5 years 21 weeks

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.

ktownpolarbear 5 years 21 weeks

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.

HitThat9787 5 years 21 weeks

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

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