Idolatry is forbidden in the Torah, the OT, and the NT.
so why would someone ignore the fact and continue to practice idolatry to a created, begotten, formed thing if their religious teaching forbid it?
There was an old God, then there was a new God made of gold and in the shape of a calf. People made up stories about the calf's desires. God (the older one) had ordered humans to be peaceful (no wars, no drinking, no drugs). Abandoning God, the United States attacked Iraq, Afghanistan, tried to attack Niger (google: Wilson, Plame, yellow cake). When we worship God, we do what God says. When we abandon God, and worship idols or follow human logic, we defy God.
Symbols of religion are supposed to remind us of God's stories, and are not supposed to be idolized. Yet many worship Christ as if he is God, and worship crosses and likenesses of Christ (different than Jesus), and worship likenesses of Jesus.