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Bible Question: Why do Christians (Catholic people mostly) bow to statues? In the New Testament Yeshua (Jesus) said: "I did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it" (Matt. 5:17). In the Torah, G*g said: "So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, lest you act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female . . ." (Deuteronomy 4:15-16). So how can it be that Christians go to churches having idols, and then pray to them? As you know, statues are only statues, they cannot hear you pray! So why does Christianity have statues?
Bible Answer: In answering the question, we shall first see what the Catholic Church teaches and then look at what God says. First, let me say that the historic Catholic teaching of what it means to become a Christian and what it means to live as a Christian differs from the evangelical understanding of Jesus' teachings.
Catholic Church Position. Here is a statement about Exodus 20:4-5 from the Roman Catholic Church.
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They do not forbid images of Christ and the saints. But to make and honor the images of Christ our Lord, of His Holy and virginal Mother, and of the saints, all of whom were clothed with human nature and appeared in human form, is not only not forbidden by this Commandment, but has always been deemed a holy practice . . . This position is confirmed by the monuments of the Apostolic age, the General Councils of the Church, and the writings of so many among the Fathers, eminent alike for sanctity and learning, all of whom are of one accord upon this subject. (The Roman Catechism) |
This answers your question, "Why do Christians (Catholic people mostly) bow to statues? Those who honor statues do not look to the scriptures for the basis of their practices, They depend on non-scriptural reasons - human wisdom.
Biblical Answer. The scriptures since the Ten Commandments, have made it clear that God does not want us to make images or idols of anything.
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You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. (NASB) Exodus 20:4 |
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