Worshipping furniture...

[2ndGen]

First, let me say that I know you aren’t worshipping a statue or whatever the icon happens to be. But, taking 2ndG’s OP at face value, do you not see a difference between having a dresser in front of you when you pray and using an icon when you pray?

Ok, all joking aside, of course.

It’s like when one places photos of deceased parents or grandparents in prominent places of their home and looks at them and derives encouragement from them or talks to their spirits while holding their picture or while holding an object they owned.

Or take for example when Paul’s handkerchiefs were used to heal people:

Acts 19:11-12
11
And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12
So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

 

[2ndGen]

Some people kiss photos of their loved ones when they are away, thereby substituting images for persons. Not quite idolatry, but the same principle…

Exactly.

 

[2ndGen]

No, it’s obvious to an observer you’re worshiping the bed. As a fellow bed worshiper, I not only kneel beside it but often think of it with affection during the day. I look forward to my nightly contact with it. And I hope, someday, to rest in peace. There are more of us out here than you may suspect, especially new mothers.

Rats! I’ve been outted!

 

[Pwrlftr]

thats why i was asking could you explain what that statement meant.

The veneration of an icon can’t be compared to having an inanimate object nearby, such as a pew or a door or anything else, when you are praying. Surely the difference is obvious.

 

[st_lucy]

The veneration of an icon can’t be compared to having an inanimate object nearby, such as a pew or a door or anything else, when you are praying. Surely the difference is obvious.

Only in one’s own heart. Which none of us are able to judge.

 

[wmscott]

First, let me say that I know you aren’t worshipping a statue or whatever the icon happens to be. But, taking 2ndG’s OP at face value, do you not see a difference between having a dresser in front of you when you pray and using an icon when you pray?

I think what 2ndGen is trying to get at is that far too many times those of the non-Catholic persuasion are extremely visceral in their accusations that Catholics worship statues. The statues and icons are placed predominantly at the front of the church because that is the direction everyone is facing during Mass. In as much as when we pray privately in our bedroom we kneel at our bedside, the dresser is across the room. Therefore, you have to realize that the statues or icons are a visual reminder and inner focal point to aid us in prayer. They are not worshiped or hold any supernatural powers any more than a dresser. I think the OP was pointing out the fallacy of non-Catholic logic when they argue the fact that we do worship statues and icons and it was a unique way of drawing to the surface just that fact. Good job 2ndGen I hope I read you correctly.

On a personal note, the images really aid me in prayer; I will usually close my eyes and try to place myself at the “scene”, especially during the Eucharistic prayer. I try to imagine being in the upper room, is it hot, warm, or cool, is there a breeze coming through the window, the smells, is there noise outside on the street below, and various things. All while listening to the Priest recite the prayer. The point is the images, which by the way are scriptural (Ex 25:18-19 - make two cherubim of beaten gold. Num 21:8-9 - Moses made bronze serpent & put on pole. 1Kgs 6:23-29 - temple had engraved cherubim, trees, flowers. 1Kgs 7:25-45 - temple had bronze oxen, lions, pomegranates), brings one closer to God.

Lastly if an individual does worship statues and icons then they are just plain wrong.

 

[rinnie]

The veneration of an icon can’t be compared to having an inanimate object nearby, such as a pew or a door or anything else, when you are praying. Surely the difference is obvious.

Sorry i got ya. My mistake. I will take the wet noodle hit on this one.

 

[Pwrlftr]

Sorry i got ya. My mistake. I will take the wet noodle hit on this one.

No problem. I think we all (me included) sometimes read something more into a post than was intended. BTW, I realize you guys aren’t worshipping a statue or picture as if it had supernatural powers.