Can I Have a Buddha Statue as a Christian? Is It Idolatry?

[xhayatox]

I am thinking of buying a little buddha statue for decorative purposes. Not to worship it or anything. Would that be sinful to do? Would it violate some christian commandment?

 

[Avniel]

Would a Muslim hang a cross in there house?

 

[xhayatox]

Plus, Buddha isn't even a diety or a god. His teachings are just a way of life.

 

[BondiHarry]

I am thinking of buying a little buddha statue for decorative purposes. Not to worship it or anything. Would that be sinful to do? Would it violate some christian commandment?

I see nothing wrong with decorative art. I happen to like the statue of winged Athena for the simple beauty of it, it doesn't mean I in any way am going after foreign gods.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Well when it comes do "religious" stuff I think its bad. For instance I would not have a pentagram or buddha statues in my house. But at the same time I do have a Tiki Bobble head and I also hav a Egyptian (replica obvisouly) that has the Eye of Ra on it, amongst other symbols.

Those I don't have a problem with because I collect them as art and historical pieces. Well obviously not the Tiki Head, I got it at Walmart for like $5 as an outdoor decoration. ^.^

 

[Avniel]

I think it one thing to walk around and stumble on some art work that you can appreciate the beauty and the skill of the artist. However I think going out of your way to find a statue or a figure of something that represents other's beliefs then that seems abnormal to me.

 

[Mediakira]

Well, I know this is not kinda the same subject. But my Mom is a protestant, and she has the Statue of Mary in wooden form placed as a figurine. She inherited it from her step father when he passed away when I was 2 years old. She's been sitting around for years. I've been wanting to to find a Jesus statue to sit near her, and be completed as a set. But I found out that Jesus costs around $350. Ahh, no...that just sounds to much for me. And I was told not to put price on God. lol That was said in the Bible. The Mary statue costs $57 online.

 

[Ark100]

I wouldn't!

 

[mattyoung]

It's fine!
It doesn't say anywhere in the bible "thou shalt not have any decorative Buddhas in your home."
Decorate your home in any way you like, it's YOUR home, YOUR space.
If you like it (and it looks good!) do it!!

 

[znr]

Wouldn't you rather have a photograph of one of my cats to hang on your wall?

 

[BondiHarry]

I should add, pray about this for God's input.

 

[bsd31]

Plus, Buddha isn't even a diety or a god. His teachings are just a way of life.

The teachings of God Almighty in His Holy Word are a way of life. In fact they are THE ONLY WAY TO LIFE.

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” - John 11:24-26 (NASB)

Abstain from every form of evil - 1 Thess 5:22 (NKJV)

Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God. - Lev 19:4 (ESV)

 

[mattyoung]

Just do it. Don't worry about everyone else's opinion.
Do what you want

 

[bsd31]

Just do it. Don't worry about everyone else's opinion.
Do what you want

And certainly don't worry about God's opinion on the matter, right?

 

[Pal Handy]

I am thinking of buying a little buddha statue for decorative purposes. Not to worship it or anything. Would that be sinful to do? Would it violate some christian commandment?

Buddhism is in conflict with the teachings of Christ.
Buddhism leads people away from Christ and toward
non Biblical ideas that are in direct conflict with the word of God.

Here is just one example of the teaching of Buddhism compared
to the teaching of Christ.

Faith and Nirvana


Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way a person can be in a right relationship with God, according to Christians (John 3:16).

Christians also believe that complete freedom from evil within this world won't take place until they receive bodily resurrection (made alive from death) the same as Christ (Romans 8:23 and 2 Corinthians 1:22).



Buddhists believe that when they have reached a mental state where they no longer desire, crave or fear anything they have achieved Nirvana. This is where the mind experiences complete freedom, liberation and non-attachment to the things of this world




I would not have a Buddah in my home as the teachings of Buddah
lead people away from the truth of Jesus Christ and His salvation
and into a false belief in a Godless universe run by a force called karma
that determines who gets to be reincarnated.

Here is some more differences between Christ's teachings
and that of Buddah.

Judgment and Karma


Judgment is a big a part of Christian theology since those who have rejected Jesus Christ will be judged and condemned to the lake of fire (John 3:18 and Rev 21:8) for their sins. Individuals that believe in Jesus Christ will remain with the Lord forever in eternity.



Karma has to do with a person's actions and Buddhists believe that a person's actions (Karma) ultimately determine how they will be reincarnated (reborn) into another realm.



So if you want to have a symbol of a false teacher whose teachings
lead millions away from Christ and into a false belief of reincarnation
and a Godless force called karma, then by all means put a Buddah in
your home so that you will help to lead others away from Christ and into
a false religion.

Sorry for my sarcasm but you should know better....

 

[bobsterInJapan]

Just do it. Don't worry about everyone else's opinion.
Do what you want

The OP wants to know our opinion, so I've give it.

I would say no. Main reason being it might be a stumbling block to someone searching for God. Buddhist statues are not designed for decoration.

For example, if you had some Japanese exchange students staying at your house, they would assume that you were Buddhist, or might think you are both a Christian and a Buddhist.

 

[BondiHarry]

There are some interesting responses so far. I just wonder if those who are advising against getting a Buddha as art appreciate some of the things that the Bible talks as in 1 Corinthians 8 and the consumption of food offered to idols. Or that a great many professing Christians have made an idol of government, giving it far more power and authority than God ever authorized, and by making it the caretaker for their needs they forget that God said "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" and the things we need will be added to us and that we are not to put our trust in princes (ie government).

 

[renewed21]

I think it one thing to walk around and stumble on some art work that you can appreciate the beauty and the skill of the artist. However I think going out of your way to find a statue or a figure of something that represents other's beliefs then that seems abnormal to me.

Agreed. No upside to having a buddha statue

 

[mattyoung]

And certainly don't worry about God's opinion on the matter, right?

Show me where god is against Buddha statues.

 

[renewed21]

Show me where god is against Buddha statues.

Is God against a pentagram? A stautue of Buddha represents unGodliness. Buddha is an idol, people do "bow before Buddha"

Exodus 20:4-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,