Statue of Sheeva a sin?

[mdgspencer]

When I was in college one of the other students in the dormitory horrified me when he showed me an idol worshipped by people that he picked up when he was in Asia. He thought it nothing but a curiosity. Probably the original poster didn’t have such an idol–but if such a statue was used in religious rites I would think it could be one way of bringing the power of Satan into your home, just as occult practices can.
Otherwise though I would think such a statue harmless, though visitors could well wonder about the religious beliefs of the person involved.

 

[PRmerger]

Probably the original poster didn’t have such an idol–but if such a statue was used in religious rites I would think it could be one way of bringing the power of Satan into your home, just as occult practices can.

Is it really possible to bring the power of Satan (or at least create an opening) into your home by having a statue used in the occult?

It would seem, then, that the opposite would be true–just by bringing a blessed statue of a Christian image into one’s home you are inviting God’s grace to be present there.

However, I thought Catholic teaching was quite clear that sacramentals/relics/religious icons, etc were not* in and of themselves* sources of grace.

Thus, I have a problem believing that a non-Christian idol would have any power, either.

 

[mdgspencer]

For such questions the book by Father Gabriele Amorth, “An Exorcist Tells His Story,” is quite informative. Father Amorth is an official exorcist in the Diocese of Rome, Italy. I’m not an expert in this area myself, so I will simply cite this book.
Your raise the interesting issue about what sort of effect a sacramental might have. I will have to look into that myself. I would wonder though why holy water is kept in the front of Catholic churches as a rule is this if this had no effect.

Is it really possible to bring the power of Satan (or at least create an opening) into your home by having a statue used in the occult?

It would seem, then, that the opposite would be true–just by bringing a blessed statue of a Christian image into one’s home you are inviting God’s grace to be present there.

However, I thought Catholic teaching was quite clear that sacramentals/relics/religious icons, etc were not* in and of themselves* sources of grace.

Thus, I have a problem believing that a non-Christian idol would have any power, either.

 

[Cristiano]

No. the definition of graven image is idol.
Context or not.

Here is the entry from dictionary.com for you to chew on…

The dictionary definition comes from the Bible passage and its theological context. The dictionary definition does not define the theological term in a priori manner. Scripture first → dictionary second.

 

[PRmerger]

Your raise the interesting issue about what sort of effect a sacramental might have. I will have to look into that myself. I would wonder though why holy water is kept in the front of Catholic churches as a rule is this if this had no effect.

I don’t have any definitive answers, either. I just know that Protestants often criticize Catholics for ascribing superstitious powers to our religious icons; I try to be cautious whenever things like this are discussed, lest it be interpreted that I am claiming that this statue can bring about goodness, or evil.

 

[vz71]

The dictionary definition comes from the Bible passage and its theological context. The dictionary definition does not define the theological term in a priori manner. Scripture first → dictionary second.

Quite right, scripture first.

But scripture first still references something that is worshipped.

Else the common understanding that appears within dictionary.com would not be there.

Those that attempt to pigeonhole graven image to mean any statue have not read the verse in its proper context.

 

[Cristiano]

Quite right, scripture first.

But scripture first still references something that is worshipped.

Else the common understanding that appears within dictionary.com would not be there.

Those that attempt to pigeonhole graven image to mean any statue have not read the verse in its proper context.

I completely agree with these statements. My only point was that using the dictionary definition to explain the theology is just a tautology.

 

[Ahimsa]

What does it mean to ‘worship’? To ‘worship’ means to ‘give worth to’. I give worth to my computer. Thus, I worship my computer.

 

[Anima_Christi]

My uncle had a statue of Sheeva (which he got rid off) and my mom just got me a little statue of buddua. Is having such statues ok or is it a sin? I am not worshipping it but, it is still on my mind. Thanks and God bless.

I’m not sure if it would be a sin just to have one, but I think it’s very dangerous. These statues, especially the one of Shiva, could bring demonic influences into your home. Why would you even want a statue of a false god, an idol, in your home, even if it is just for decoration? Get rid of it! Have a priest come in and bless your home. Put up a beautiful statue of Our Lady or Sacred Heart of Jesus instead. Just my :twocents:.

 

[PRmerger]

These statues, especially the one of Shiva, could bring demonic influences into your home. Why would you even want a statue of a false god, an idol, in your home, even if it is just for decoration? Get rid of it! Have a priest come in and bless your home. Put up a beautiful statue of Our Lady or Sacred Heart of Jesus instead. Just my :twocents:.

Again, I think we Catholics must tread very carefully whenever we discuss religious icons. We have been rightly criticized for ascribing superstitious powers to Catholic images .

If we don’t believe that statues of Our Lord or Our Lady, in and of themselves, are capable of bringing God’s grace into our homes, we should not ascribe evil powers to statues of false gods, either. The statues of Jesus and Mary are powerless in the homes of people who do not know God; statues of false gods, IMHO, should also have no power in a home which does not worship them.

 

[Sandi]

** According to the Protestants**

Explain yourself. I’m Protestant and we have pictures, graven images, crosses and so on all over the place…just like Catholics.

 

[PRmerger]

** According to the Protestants**

Explain yourself. I’m Protestant and we have pictures, graven images, crosses and so on all over the place…just like Catholics.

Since you’re not Catholic you’ve never had to defend yourself against Protestants accusing your Church of idolatry because of statues of Mary and other saints adorning our homes and churches.

Many, many Catholics have been shown by Protestants Scripture passages which supposedly forbid the making of statues.