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I need help with a theological question

BobRyan

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Tolworth John

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Sir Joseph

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There are various definitions of idolotry to be found among the standard dictionaries. Most of these include worship or reverence for any thing, object or person. In that case, I could see how a secular person could accuse any religious follower as an idolater of their god, gods, or holy objects. While Christianity would seemingly fall into this category, I wouldn't classify it as more or less idolatrous than any other religion.

Amongst the many definitions of idolatry, I think a Biblical one is well presented by biblestudytools.com/dictionary. It defines it simply as: "image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object." That might potentially include everything in the universe except for God the Creator. By reading the Bible, we know it also includes other false gods, even though they don't exist to have been created.

Thus, from a Christian perspective, the faith in God, the Creator himself, should not be considered one of idolatry. However, the definition of individuals themselves committing idolatry remains less clear, controversial, and subject to interpretation among people and denominations. How much love or desire can we have for money or materialistic things before it crosses the line of being idolatry? How much adoration or veneration for Mother Nature, Mother Mary, saints, angels, or movie/music/sports stars can we have before it crosses the line of idolatry? I have my views, but that's a complicated assessment each of us must make with our own conscience.
 
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