Was the Red Cross ever a Christian organization?

lanfranco

No, not specifically, beyond the fact that the Europeans who founded it were, for the most part, at least nominally Christians. Some founders and early members became involved owing to their personal religious convictions (Dunant and Moynier, for example, both Calvinist protestants), but the organization was not created or originally under the authority of any church or other Christian group, so far as I know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cross Dec 20 06, 10:46 PM

davejacobs

So why I wonder was it necessary to set up the Red Crescent organization? Dec 21 06, 2:48 AM

Baloo55th

Simply because some people couldn't see that crosses don't necessarily mean Christianity. The Red Cross emblem is the Swiss flag with the colours reversed. Originally, it was the flag and emblem of Schwyz, the canton from which Switzerland takes its name. As this flag originated in medieval times, there probably was a Christian element in its design. So there is a Christian connection, but over 700 years ago. Dec 21 06, 5:02 AM