Abstract
Drawing on recent research, this chapter argues that the violence of Roman crucifixion is only fully appreciated when the commonly ignored aspects of sexual violence are acknowledged. Seen in this fuller perspective, Roman crucifixion might be viewed in terms of four interrelated enactments of intolerance: an intolerance for the victim’s life; an intolerance for the victim’s dignity and humanity; an intolerance of memories of the victim; an intolerance for the victim’s standing before God. The final section of the chapter considers why the understanding of the cross in lived religion is distorted and sanitised to avoid any link to sexual violence. It suggests there should be a much wider debate on how the violence of the cross might be more appropriately recognized and remembered in lived Christianity, which might serve towards greater action and advocacy against all forms of violence and social intolerance.