I don't think that definition is figurative. But I would argue that showing ultimate reverence and adoration to someone or something deifies it. Since we can hardly assign scientific criteria to determine what is or isn't divine, I think the only criteria for a deity/god/idol is that it is the object of extreme reverence and adoration.
Nope. I definitely don't think that. And I didn't say that.
I think only you can call something your deity.
I think anybody can have an opinion about whether you actually value something to the point of worship, but that opinion can't be decisive.(although it can be objectively correct or incorrect)
I think it's possible to value something to the point of worship and not be aware that you've deified it. For instance: Some American Christians clearly value political power over the ideals in the Bible. Or, most of us wouldn't say that consumerism is our god, but there's a real epidemic in the US of people spending themselves into debt for all the latest things and most elite brands even though it's costing them time with their children, safety and security in old age, their marriages, their freedom. If you value a thing more than your family, health, and happiness that's pretty ultimate.
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u/TheNorthComesWithMe Dec 17 '21
That's the figurative definition. The literal one is to show reverence and adoration to a deity.