Statues and images

[sancte_joseph]

This Commandment to us means just don’t worship statues we know that ok.
This commandement to the Isralites was meant to protect them from falling into that sin. How can you worship statues if there is no statues.
Next…

If people take this commandement meaning that we should destroy all statues and stuff like that then we MUST
ALSO destroy all pictures all tv, mirrors, all, magazines, all clothes that have designs on them such as flowers stars sun moon other people etc. we must destroy portraits famous paintings

**ITS JUST SILLY **

 

[mikew262]

In not Skirting the issue. At the time the Hebrews were making thier way through the land that is now is Israel they were not along. The Cannanites and other peoples to which they came in contact did worship graven images and statues as if they were gods. Any reading of the Old Testement reveals that they failed at theis first comand many times including Soloman. This interaction, was believed by the hebrews, to have lead to their own downfall. As Catholics we believe that the bible is the inspired word of God, but not the literal word, and true in ways of salvation. For the writers of the bible, in that time, it was important to emphisis the one true God, and had seen how when they strayed from Him, they failed.
So far us, if we were to errect a statue, and kneel and pray to it,as though it were a god, we would be falling into this sinfull nature of turning from God. Many believe today that our graven images are the TV, Internet, materials goods, because they take us away from and become more important than having a personal relationship with God. We read that command in that light as our direction to keep God first in our lives, that is our salvation, not if there is a statue in the church.

Peace,
FAB

Some independent thought. Very refreshing. Thanks for the post.

 

[Trishie]

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor 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

Does this mean I shouldn’t have photos of my sons…and maybe I shouldn’t have painted a large painting of my grandmother and great grandmother! These are a “likeness of something on the earth beneath”!

We don’t worship statues, they are reminders of someone, just as is the statue of Abraham Lincoln, my photos, and my paintings! I’m sure that Americans honour Abraham Lincoln, just as we honour faithful servants of God, but we don’t worship them in their likenesses any more than Americans worship that great President in his likeness.

May God abundantly bless you!

Warm wishes, Trishie

 

[als10062008]

“Even if we make images of pious men, it is not so that we might adore them as gods, but that when we see them, we might be prompted to imitate them. And if we make images of Christ, it is so that our minds might soar aloft in yearning for Him.”

-St. Cyril of Alexandria

 

[allana]

…Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, whatever you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven…

Not withstanding this comment by God the Son…

What would be acceptable? A cross instead of a crucifix? That’s very protestant.

Eliminate the image of the Immaculate, Perpetual Virgin Mother of God?

Eliminate the image of St. Joseph?

Eliminate the image of St. Michael Archangel?

Eliminate the image of the patron saint of the specific church.?

If the statues and images of our beloved saints and martyrs offends you…then remain - whatever: Baptist, Pentecostal, Evangelical etc etc etc. and while you’re at it, destroy the pictures of your loved ones, for those are also images and it seems that images offend you.

i got to agree with you here… i’ve seen in many protestants& evangelical homes, pictures of Jesus, Mary and the Last Supper, and ornaments of it too… and i dont see them complaining or throwing it out, but if the same ornaments and pictures are in the Catholic Church, then it becomes a problem for them…