Why do CHristians have so many flase idols?

Question

Like the cross around your neck, or the fish on your car,or the WWJD BS? I thought Idolitry was a sin?

And I meant false ding bat

Answer 1

It's for luck, or in hopes that the cop who pulls them over has a soft spot for xians.

Answer 2

Those aren't idols. Those are symbols. An idol is a created thing that is thought to be God or a god. A symbol is something that represents something else.

The cross around someones neck represents the cross on which Christ died, the fish represents the faith of the apostles (who gave up fishing) and WWJD stands for "What would Jesus do?" (you prob knew that) which some take as a standard of living. None of these are thought by the people wearing them or holding them to be God or gods themselves

Answer 3

the cross, can be use without the Catholic dead body. Not Idol but reminder of where Jesus was for us...... the fish..... A sign to other Christians to have faith there are more of us and you are not alone. symbol of fellowship and not Idol, the WWJD A reminder to think as Jesus would, Act Like Jesus would, and just maybe we would get closer to the perfection of Jesus. I thought Idolatry was a sin? It is, what do you idolize? Hum making fun of Christians?
Have a good day!
Min Will

Answer 4

I don't think these are idols I feel they are reminders if certain events.

The cross is where Jesus died for our sins.

The fish is where he fed thousands and or when he showed his disciples where to fish.

I have know idea what the wwjd is but you get the idea.

Idolatry is more of a figurative thing not always something we can see. For example; if you are into pornography on the Internet and would rather see that then pray, talk with GOD or go to church that is your god, your idol.
one of the commandment says
There shall be no Gods before me.

That is what he means.

Answer 5

I think it's a good question.

Well, it IS possible to carry or wear a symbol representing something that you believe -- without worshipping the symbol itself.

Many people (whether Christians or not) possess items that help remind them of some attitude they want to exude, or represent and reinforce their identity in some way.

The things you mention here can certainly be used to help remind someone of their commitment or represent their allegiance to God.

However, the things you mention ARE things that can be made idolatrous, and I think in many cases have been. It depends on attitude and the person's main focus.

I think the symbols can sometimes just be a cultural tchotske, part of the commercialist mindset. We wear crosses or parade fishes simply to fit in with a particular social group, or we throw around buzzphrases like "WWJD" so that they almost become a joke and take away the focus from God.

I might think about what Jesus might have done, but I don't need to market/sell the idea to make lots of cash, splat it on everything I own just to "identify" as a Christian, and throw it out as encouragement to other Christians in lieu of explaining and living out what it really means to do what Jesus might have done.

"The Prayer of Jabez" was similar -- a rather insignificant cluster of verses that was effectively marketed to make zillions of dollars, and all under the guise of spiritual wisdom. The ideas weren't bad, but they were taken far out of context and way out of proporation to more important spiritual truths and thus became a joke.

The same thing goes for prayer/rosary beads, or the cross (as used in vampire movies, for example), or other items that have been "invested" wrongly with spiritual power and are turned to for power and guidance rather than simply symbolizing and directing one towards God. This is why the ancient Hebrews forbade graven images -- it was far too easy to worship the object rather than what it symbolized.

Anyway, that type of distortion, to me, would cause me to label such things as "idols" -- as you suggest.

Answer 6

Perhaps you shouldn't call someone a ding bat for not understanding a blatant spelling mistake in your question. Spell check your work next time before you get arrogant in the way you treat other people!

As to your original question, why does it bother you if Christians want to place symbols on their car that represent aspects of their faith? How is it different than you putting a logo of your favorite sports team, or a bumper sticker representing your political views. It's a free country and such unwarranted criticism is a waste of energy.

Answer 7

They aren't false idols. The cross stands for Jesus's suffering, and the fish stands for Jesus, and the WWJD is What Would Jesus Do. Nobody actually worships those things. They're just a reminder of God.

Answer 8

I never seen a christian pray to or ask a bumper stiker to answer a prayer, that is worship.
Bible is a book, good read too, the words in it are written by men, has a nice story and explains all that stuff.
Idol worship is when one expects the idol,picture,necklace, or whatever to replace or pinch hit for god.
Thinking too much is a sin, and is kinda al-kiada now. So God and the US Gummit is gonna get tough,,,,,or not.

Answer 9

You have a mis-conception of those signs. We don't worship those things. They are a reminder to all who read it, that this is what God stands for. We do not idolize this stuff, but it reminds us daily, that Christ died on the cross for our sins. To worship an idol is to pray to it. I can tell you honestly, that none of us pray to these signs. Good question, tho., Take care and may God bless you, Always !

Answer 10

Every reminder is not a FALSE IDOL.

I have never seen anyone worship a fish on the back of a car.
I have never seen a person worship their neck emblem cross.

Answer 11

Religious SYMBOLS are not the same thing is IDOLS... we do not worship the symbols, we worship the GOD that they represent. You should learn the definitions for your terms before you try to sound smart on the Internet.