It was not always so. This difference was keenly brought to my attention when a faithful Protestant friend brought her children to the Right to Life office one day. The Encyclopædia Britannica calls the cross “the principal symbol of the Christian religion.” Nevertheless, true Christians do not use the cross in worship. It is a statement as to the great sacrifice and suffering that Jesus made for us, a symbol of the Easter passion play. Today, the cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. In the early centuries after the time of Jesus Christ, there were other symbols: a dove, a ship, an anchor and a lyre. No sacrifice prior to the Cross could take away sins and there is none thereafter that can take away sins. Without the Sacrifice of Christ, no one’s sins would be forgiven. that Christ is resurrected, not still on the cross and thus, (some believe) He should not be depicted that way. An important reason is that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross. For example there a few doctrinal reasons as to why one shouldn't display a crucifix instead of an empty cross. This is why we depict Christ on the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:23). And Jesus gives a hint that the son of man will be lifted as in Moses time to heal the people. And this is why we believe it is an eternal Sacrifice. Some Protestants suggest that because Catholics often depict Jesus on the cross it means that they believe he has not risen. This is, of course, nonsense. Hanging in a prominent place above the office door, was my Saint Benedict crucifix. All the while I was a Protestant, I never had a problem with the crucifix; I did my share of paintings/drawings of it when I still considered myself an artist. THE cross is loved and respected by millions of people. Third , they object to the Crucifix because it is Catholic and to condone or display the Crucifix is to make a statement in favor of Catholicism. Why so many Protestants do not consider Catholics Christian. ... then Christ’s work on the cross is insufficient or of no effect as the apostle Paul says. I am a Catholic and i know Jesus is there when we saw a cross and is our mediator. A crucifix (across with a body on it) is a very catholic symbol. Most Protestants use an empty cross and rely on the mental image of a living, risen Jesus. Why not? I know all the rhetoric about “we serve a risen Savior, not a dead one.” That’s not what I’m looking for. Some Protestants object to the crucifix because of the belief (which we Catholics share!) So I'm wondering if it's just because it's not a tradition with most protestants, or if there is a real doctrinal objections to the practice. Catholics are adamant about the Resurrection of Christ. – 2tim424 Oct 3 '11 at 5:58 Mar 3, 2013. Why do Protestants use a cross, instead of a Crucifix? 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