How does one defend the difference between veneration and idolatry?

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dyet13

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Greetings and Peace be with you all.

I have been watching the extraordinary DVD by Fr. Barron, Catholicism…amazing. Very proud to be part of the authentic teaching and Church of Christ Jesus.

My concern is, when defending the Catholic faith on idolatry, I do a good job in doing so, but in DVD 1 and 2, it displays some scenes whereby people are kissing a statue of baby Jesus held in the arms of a priest.

I know the Church does not teach and forbids idolatry, but how to I defend that if a non-Catholic sees that and asks about it?

I was a bit confused myself on that particular scene as well.

God Bless
 
You could ask them if they’ve ever kissed a photograph of a loved one, if so perhaps that will give them a bit of insight.
 
You might remind them about the difference between worshipping an object and in honouring what it represents. It would be idolatry if we worshipped the statue, but we only honour He who is represented by it.
 
An idol represents a false god and worshipping it constitutes idolatry. The figure of Christ is a representation of Christ. Catholics do not believe the statue personifies or is somehow consubstantial with Christ. It is merely a physical sign of reverence that we are unfortunately limited to in our physical/mortal sphere.
 
**You could ask them if they’ve ever kissed a photograph of a loved one, if so perhaps that will give them a bit of insight. ** 👍
 
Yes, idolatry in the bible refers the the worship of false gods through statues, not the making of figures representing Jesus, saints, etc.

God Himself commanded the making of the bronze serpent and that people should look upon it to be healed. He commanded the making of gold cherubim figures to be placed on the Ark of the Covenant which was placed in the holy of holies in the tent, then temple.

It’s the worship of false gods that violates the 1st commandent. The making of idols that represent those gods is an extension of that.

Gem
 
Thank you everyone for the postings. Great explanations from all. That is what I was looking for in the event of such encounter with someone who would see that and I would have had to explain it.

God bless all of you and may peace be with you.
 
dyet13 said:
My concern is, when defending the Catholic faith on idolatry, I do a good job in doing so, but in DVD 1 and 2, it displays some scenes whereby people are kissing a statue of baby Jesus held in the arms of a priest.
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That is a form of veneration of who is represented by such an object. A statue of Christ represents not plaster, but Christ our Lord. Showing respect to that object is not guided to the material itself but who it represents which is, in the case presented above, Jesus.
dyet13 said:
I know the Church does not teach and forbids idolatry, but how to I defend that if a non-Catholic sees that and asks about it?
Click to expand...
Idolatry is when someone gives worship, in the strict sense (Cultus Lartia), to something other than God the Holy Trinity; worshiping it as it is a deity. In reality, worship is strictly a mental act and is something which is done under the full consent and understanding of an individual. Just as “prayer” is to humbly petition, yet can also be used as a form of worship; never can anyone assume the intention of an individual when they are praying.

You will want to look into Cultus Latria, Cultus Hyperdulia, and Cultus Dulia to get a better understanding.
 
There is no external action that is reserved exclusively for divine worship. Certainly kissing is not such a reserved action. An external action (kissing, in this case) only becomes divine worship when the actor (kisser) intends in his heart by the action (kiss) to offer divine worship. Unless the actor (kisser) outwardly reveals the hidden intention of his heart, we cannot know it. Consequently, it would be a rash judgment to accuse someone of idolatry without first learning the hidden intention of his heart.

In the case of people kissing a statue of Jesus, I suppose it is possible that by kissing the statue they intended to offer divine worship to the statue, which would be idolatry and contrary to Church teaching. However, it is much more likely that by kissing his statue, they intended to offer divine worship to Jesus himself, which would be true worship.
 
I like to use the example of dignitaries placing flowers in front of, and occasionally bowing to, the statue of Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. No one claims that they are worshipping Lincoln.
 
dyet13 said:
it displays some scenes whereby people are kissing a statue of baby Jesus
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Kissing is a sign of love and affection not worship. Men away from home kiss pictures of their wives and children. Whoever suggests that kissing is something other than a sign of affection is very confused,
 
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