Why are statues frowned upon in other beliefs?

[Theweirdtophat]

I had heard that the only reason why Abrahamic, as well as Sikh religion does not like idols is because none of us know what God really looks like so if we tried to portray him, we wouldn't be doing it justice and therefore insult God by portraying an inaccurate depiction.

I had heard that Catholics and other generally don't mind depicting Jesus, despite the fact that he is God in their religion because he was visible while God in the heavens is invisible and no one knows what God looks like but it's only appropriate if God makes himself visible. Wondering if this is true.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I had heard that the only reason why Abrahamic, as well as Sikh religion does not like idols is because none of us know what God really looks like so if we tried to portray him, we wouldn't be doing it justice and therefore insult God by portraying an inaccurate depiction.

I had heard that Catholics and other generally don't mind depicting Jesus, despite the fact that he is God in their religion because he was visible while God in the heavens is invisible and no one knows what God looks like but it's only appropriate if God makes himself visible. Wondering if this is true.

What's interesting is, in the Bible, Jesus is described. It is also interesting that Catholics believe he is god; so, the depiction of him as a statue is not depicting god, his father, but god the human image of him. That isn't idolism. Also idolism involves worship. Catholics don't worship statues. It's not in their doctrine.

Now, if Catholic's tried to depict the father in physical form, that would be against scripture. God is already in physical form as described in scripture. His physical form, as a human, wouldn't be idolism. Unless protestants think Catholics worship jesus as a human.

They are focused on the wrong object if they are accusing Catholics of worshiping any object that is not Christ-the human standing with hair, eyes, hands, and feet. Statues is so silly, I can't even laugh.

 

[Electra]

I believe it is also Idol in the sense of a 'known public figure' whom you give your power away to, and would blindly follow.

If some say (personalize examples to yourself) for example 'Christ has returned' many would believe so just because 'so and so' said so. (inc. 'news' networks - media, ect.)

 

[The Holy Bottom Burp]

I had heard that the only reason why Abrahamic, as well as Sikh religion does not like idols is because none of us know what God really looks like so if we tried to portray him, we wouldn't be doing it justice and therefore insult God by portraying an inaccurate depiction.

Isn't it possibly true that they have some sort of image of their deity in their mind when they pray? Is it that so different to' idolatry'? Just a focus for worship surely?

I had heard that Catholics and other generally don't mind depicting Jesus, despite the fact that he is God in their religion because he was visible while God in the heavens is invisible and no one knows what God looks like but it's only appropriate if God makes himself visible. Wondering if this is true.

Once upon a time I was a practising Catholic, I never mistook a statue as the deity itself, I always understood it was a representation. Doesn't matter if someone smashes it up with a sledgehammer, it isn't a sin. The deity doesn't live inside it. Probably what I'd have said if you asked me when I believed. Catholics come in different flavours though, I wouldn't claim to be typical!

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Isn't it possibly true that they have some sort of image of their deity in their mind when they pray? Is it that so different to' idolatry'? Just a focus for worship surely?

Once upon a time I was a practising Catholic, I never mistook a statue as the deity itself, I always understood it was a representation. Doesn't matter if someone smashes it up with a sledgehammer, it isn't a sin. The deity doesn't live inside it. Probably what I'd have said if you asked me when I believed. Catholics come in different flavours though, I wouldn't claim to be typical!

It is a sin if the statue is blessed because it's a consecrated object then. It's sacrilege.

 

[shunyadragon]

The spiritual Law against images and idols goes back to the Laws revealed by Moses, and possibly earlier. I believe the forbidding pf idols and images of God or those on level of saints and Mary in the Roman Church.

The images and concepts and symbols associated associated with the Roman Church, and the Eastern Orthodox churches have their roots in pagan mythology.

It is naive to assume that these images and statues are not sacred and spiritual meaningful in and of themselves. As mentioned before once blessed it is a sin to damage or destroy them.

The problem with icons in the Eastern Orthodox Churches is that they are considered 'windows to the Divine,' and I believe that makes in and of itself an idol forbidden by the Spiritual Law revealed at the time of Moses.

 

[agorman]

Statues are just communication tools... an aid to imagination. Unless you are clairvoyant, a statue is the closest thing you've got to speak to your deity in a human way. Deities know you don't intend to talk to an inanimate object anyway. What some patriarchs tried to avoid is people worshipping the statue as a god and not the god himself. So, if they'd destroy the statue, they'd destroy the god! Somewhat like a chaos magick servitor or a golem.

The problem with getting in touch with a god without a body or at least a human form available is, at least from my point of view, that it makes communication harder! Even Moses heard the "voice" of God, according to the myth. It wasn't a complete human figure like Jesus or Krishna though, which makes body language impossible, unless he sends some angel/deva. But if an almighty God needs an intermediary for a better communication, then he's not all-powerful!

 

[Jumi]

There's nothing special about statues or works of art in general. It's the appreciation of art that makes it special as well as the creation process for the artist. Many of those who attack statues think they have some magic power to them that can oppose their gods, I suppose.

 

[Altfish]

Isn't it all about the 3rd (?) of the 10 Commandments: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"

 

[arthra]

I had heard that the only reason why Abrahamic, as well as Sikh religion does not like idols is because none of us know what God really looks like so if we tried to portray him, we wouldn't be doing it justice and therefore insult God by portraying an inaccurate depiction. I had heard that Catholics and other generally don't mind depicting Jesus, despite the fact that he is God in their religion because he was visible while God in the heavens is invisible and no one knows what God looks like but it's only appropriate if God makes himself visible. Wondering if this is true.

My view is that there is a temptation in people to want to anthropomorphise God.. so images of God are given adoration and this from an early view could be considered idolatry... You had statues that were used in worship by Hellenistic culture that later became "Christian".

In the Baha'i Faith we don't use depictions/images of any of the Messengers of God in worship.. We have calligraphic representation of Arabic letters that refer to God such as "O Thou glory of the all-glorious" and we use the words Allah'u'Abha (God is glorious) and so on; but no images or anthropomorphic representations.

 

[Eliab ben Benjamin]

Isn't it all about the 3rd (?) of the 10 Commandments: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image"

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

 

[Vinayaka]

As an enthusiastic statue advocate, I can only venture a guess as to why some people and groups think its wrong, even evil, and will go about trying to destroy, discourage, prohibit, or otherwise prevent the use of statues in worship.

So I look at this personality type, and see a sense of fear, a sense of 'my way is the only way', and intolerance for the way other people worship or view the world. After all, statue worship is not doing then personally any harm. As a statue user, although I disagree with that POV obviously, I also see it as their right to not use statues. It's a diverse world out there, and in the grand scheme of things, this is pretty petty. Live and let live.