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What is inaccurate with those communities who bring offerings to a sculpture?

sovietchild

sovietchild

Well-Known Member
A Greased Scotsman said:
It's a symbolic offering - as symbolic as when Muslims pay the zakat. It's making a sacrifice. One could just as easily ask "why would you want to give money to God? God does not spend money." and doing so would equally miss the point.
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Why would you want to give money (energy) to God? He loaned you the money and He will take it away from you when He wills.
 
buddhist

buddhist

Well-Known Member
Islam's sculpture & focus of worship:

800px-Kaaba_2.JPG
 
U

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
sovietchild said:
Don't you think it's better if you don't offer anything to idols and instead offer something to a needy one?

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A lot of people gain spiritual insight from the statue's meaning to where their minds and bodies are spiritually wise and able to give to those in need. Bowing (offering of the body in prayer and posture) to Mecca is just as I do to my altar and grandmother's pictures and grave stone when I visit them and so forth.

It is like reading the Quran. The book itself cannot do anything but when you read it, you gain insight from the ink printed words on a white page in Arabic or English.

There are a lot of examples of how people give offerings and in what method that relate to the meaning of the object not the object itself. This happens for example in military commentaries where families come to put down flowers at graves. Wedding rings are seen now to be used as symbolism for unity between two people. They offer the wedding rings to each other.

There are many examples. Regardless if it's religious in nature or not, the point is the offering is to the meaning and what that object represents not the object itself.
 
U

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
sovietchild said:
What does this have to do with this topic?

What is inaccurate with those communities who bring offerings to a sculpture?

Sculpture - Wikipedia
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You bow towards and offer prayers by posture and words towards what Mecca represents.

Pagans and other religions offer (in their way) who or whatever they pray to whether it be by dance, prayer, lighting a candle, etc to give reverence to what the thing(s) they focus on represents.

Both of you are giving offerings. I think you are not understanding it because it is not your faith. However, outside of your faith we all give offerings in one way or another. If you look at it from your religion, it's the same with other people. Think of it that way.
 
Maponos

Maponos

Welcome to the Opera
It is to show devotion and sacrifice to their chosen higher power. A sculpture (idol) is only a representation or focus for one to direct their devotion to.

To sacrifice or to go without is very noble.
 
FearGod

FearGod

Freedom Of Mind
sovietchild said:
What is incorrect with those communities who bring offerings to a sculpture?

In order to get something, you need to invest in something. What kind of investment is bringing an offering to a sculpture? What kind of a profit will they have in return? Is it a game of skill or is it a game of stupidity – lottery?

“Your trash is someone else’s treasure.” Those communities might as well give it to 3rd world countries, if they have it so much. The Prophet Muhammad said, Allah said: “Spend [on charity] O son of Adam, And I shall spend on you.”

I grow up in Ukraine. When I was a kid we didn’t have much food on the table. Sometimes I had to go to the neighbors back yards just to collect some apples and cherries because we did not have any food at the house. My mother would make some pancakes to sell it on the streets just to survive another day. Why do those communities investing ‘energy’ in sculptures when they could instead invest it in 3rd world countries? What are they doing? There is much greater profit if those communities would collect all the food that they don't need, and then give it to the others who are in need. Those sculptures are useless, they have no profit. Those communities are not deceiving no buddy but themselves.

“Those who spend in charity will be richly rewarded.” Quran 57:7
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Good if only on sculptures, much much more are spent on drugs, alcohol, lottery,
sex and other meaningless things that better if spent for helping the needy.
 
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sovietchild

sovietchild

Well-Known Member
buddhist said:
Nothing is incorrect about it, if done skillfully. If it changes and uplifts them spiritually, mentally, or emotionally, then such a ritual can be said to be useful.

I bow to my statue of the Buddha, not because that piece of wood can give anything to me, but because such a ritual comforts and concentrates my mind, and helps transforms me into a better person.
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Why do you bow to the statue? Do you think Buddha - the man who walked on this earth few thousands years ago can see you or hear you? No he is gone. He has crossed over. I'm sorry to tell you this, but he cannot see you, or hear you.
 
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