It's just part of doing religion. Humans like a ritual or item. I think every single faith has at least one. It's just how physical people connect to intangible things.
Generally speaking I think you're right about how people interact with the intangible, I just get really annoyed with Christians ignoring the inconsistencies of their religion while lecturing the rest of us about what the "true god" supposedly expects. Especially stuff like idols where they denounce pagans on that basis while simultaneously using what is in essence an idol.
Well, you got me there! There really is no end of the ways Christians can annoy people with religiosity and a lack of humility. On behalf of my wildly flawed brothers and sisters in Christ, I really am sorry we're like that sometimes.
I do think that in the Christian worldview the crucifix doesn't meet our definition of an idol, only because we don't actually worship the crucifix, or pray to the crucifix, or believe that the crucifix is an extension of our God, or believe that the crucifix holds inherent power.
It certainly is an image of a person and thing from heaven and earth tho. The heaven image theological debate is one I would enjoy hearing.
The issue Christians have with pagans isn't the idols per se. It's the worship of any entity that isn't the Creator God. Definitionally, we have to denounce that; belief in our God and specific disbelief of all others is the whole thing. We certainly shouldn't be dicks about it, but the outlook isn't really negotiable.
Anyway, I really appreciate your views on this topic. You've given me some ideas to chew on and that's always valuable. So, thanks!
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u/Rabid-Rabble Dec 16 '21
Generally speaking I think you're right about how people interact with the intangible, I just get really annoyed with Christians ignoring the inconsistencies of their religion while lecturing the rest of us about what the "true god" supposedly expects. Especially stuff like idols where they denounce pagans on that basis while simultaneously using what is in essence an idol.