The 27th commandment of Mosaic Law is to not worship idols in the manner they are worshiped
Where in scripture?
Exodus 20:4-5
You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or worship them.
In a previous post, we discussed how another Mitzvah forbids us from inquiring into idolatry.
New Testament Reference
Ephesians 5:5
Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
While researching this post, I stumbled upon this website says that “Catholics are going to hell,” while citing the above-captioned verse from Exodus. This type of thing can be found all over the Internet. This type of thinking is also indicative of some of the problems that I’ve discussed on this blog where sola scriptura leads people to interpret scripture in any manner that suits their fancy, disregarding the investigations, and thinking of 2,000 years of Christian scholarship.
According to Wikipedia, “Some theologically moderated Jews argue that most modern-day religions which appear idolatrous should not be considered idolatry as defined by Jewish law. They argue that modern day Buddhists, Hindus and others:
Do not literally worship sticks and stones’, as the idolaters in the Tanakh were described doing. Their beliefs have more theological depth than ancient pagans, and they are well aware that their icons are only symbols of a deeper level of reality.”
According to Catholic Answers, “Though bowing can be used as a posture in worship, not all bowing is worship. In Japan, people show respect by bowing in greeting (the equivalent of the Western handshake). Similarly, a person can kneel before a king without worshipping him as a god. In the same way, a Catholic who may kneel in front of a statue while praying isn’t worshipping the statue or even praying to it, any more than the Protestant who kneels with a Bible in his hands when praying is worshipping the Bible or praying to it.”
Q. 1212. How do we show that it is only the worship and not the making of images that is forbidden by the first commandment?
A. We show that it is only the worship and not the making of images that is forbidden by the first commandment:
1. Because no one thinks it sinful to carve statues or make photographs or paintings of relatives or friends;
2. Because God Himself commanded the making of images for the temple after He had given the first commandment, and God never contradicts Himself.
Q. 1213. Is it right to show respect to the pictures and images of Christ and His saints?
A. It is right to show respect to the pictures and images of Christ and His saints, because they are the representations and memorials of them.
Q. 1214. Have we in this country any civil custom similar to that of honoring the pictures and images of saints?
A. We have, in this country, a civil custom similar to that of honoring pictures and images of saints, for, on Decoration or Memorial Day, patriotic citizens place flowers, flags, or emblems about the statues of our deceased civil heroes, to honor the persons these statues represent; for just as we can dishonor a man by abusing his image, so we can honor him by treating it with respect and reverence.
Q. 1215. Is it allowed to pray to the crucifix or to the images and relics of the saints?
A. It is not allowed to pray to the crucifix or images and relics of the saints, for they have no life, nor power to help us, nor sense to hear us.
Q. 1216. Why do we pray before the crucifix and the images and relics of the saints?
A. We pray before the crucifix and the images and relics of the saints because they enliven our devotion by exciting pious affections and desires, and by reminding us of Christ and of the saints, that we may imitate their virtues.
Conclusion
Binding on Christians
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