Man's bowing down before idols of selfish ambition contradicts the intended masterpiece he was meant to be, stirring God and his Sons to be jealous for man, not of him. [1] Moses bravely stood against idolatry, declaring the commandment not to make molten gods to the Hebrews. [2]
Early images preserved the appearance and memory of the dead, evolving into idols through a consecration ceremony that was believed to imbue them with spirit. [3]
Symbolism in religion can be either good or bad, depending on whether it displaces the original worshipful idea, to avoid direct idolatry of the material object. [4]
Pilate's disfavor with the Jews was fueled by his disregard for their deep-seated prejudice against images, leading to a series of unfortunate encounters that diminished his prestige. [5] Moses's prohibitions made into misunderstood false gods by those who frown upon the beauty of created things. [6] Idolatry was much based on memory of Nodite supermen coming down to mate with mortals in post-rebellion days. [7] Idols were refinements of fetishism, believed to preserve the spirit of the illustrious dead through consecration ceremonies. [8] "Sacrifice cherished idols to enter the kingdom of heaven, as Jesus taught the apostles in Capernaum.". [9] Idol making originated sculpture, architecture, poetry, music, drama, and dancing in religion, shaping cultural development. [10] Material idols are empty vessels, devoid of any spiritual presence. [11]
Jesus challenged Joseph regarding the idolatrous custom of kissing the doorpost parchment as part of a ritual during his last year at school. [12] Jesus challenged the chazan regarding the teaching that all images were idolatrous, despite his love for drawing and modeling. [13]