why some churches put pictures and images?

Question

while the 2nd commandment forbide it.

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

Answer 1

Read the next part. It goes on to say that you shall not bow down before them and worship them as if they are a god.

Answer 2

The second commandment refers to creating and worshipping idols. If we only took the quote you provided out of context, there would be very little art and statue work on this earth.

This can be taken to the extreme, but most Christians are okay with using religious art to help create a prayer environment and focus a person's thoughts. But we are always praying to God, NOT the artwork.

After all, if you were in a room full of images of pink elephants, how could you not think about the color pink, the animal elephant, and tangets like perhaps the Disney movie "Dumbo" or the zoo or whatever. For people who are visual by nature, looking at art directs their thoughts.

Answer 3

It is not the intention to worship the picture or statue. But allow the individual to personify their prayers asking for assistance or guidance. And many brilliant religious scholars approve. BECAUSE 'think' if should I come to you and ask for help or advice, JUST as we see here - - Isn't that exactly the same thing? Maybe not so solemn as in prayer on the knees.
You may have seen the movie The Passion, did it make you understand more or personify with story? Is that worship?

Answer 4

Because in the dark ages no one knew how to read or write and they only learned the Holy Bible and God's love for them through pictures and icons and they were told the Bible's stories through stained glass windows such in Notre Dame Cathedral, located in Paris, France and built around the dark ages to show the true christian religion to the poor and people that worked the land and served the wealthy, which could read the Holy Bible on a daily basis and knew more than the true christian faith. But, the church wanted to keep the poor from reading the Holy Bible because they wanted true control over the masses.

Answer 5

if that is the case then -- away with all cameras, television, internet, computer processing -- gracious everything! don't forget the rest of the story.... you're not to worship them - that's the sugar in the pot.

my grandfather couldn't read. but when he looked at the picture of the Last Supper - he COULD read. that's what the images do - they themselves are not worshiped. do you have a family member or friend that died and who was a wonderful person? do you have a picture of them? i do, i keep it handy and it helps me to keep them in my heart and it also warms my heart at the end of a lousy day!

Answer 6

I never really understood the "why" behind this commandment...

I get don't kill, don't steal, don't lie, why no images ?

Isn't it better to worship an image of a something holy than say money or your car or your clothes or your home?
just thinking....

Answer 7

Because some churches put their man made traditions above what the Bible says and ultimately what God says. For example the Catholic Church has taken this commandment out and split the 10th. And they say that they do it by their own authority. If you find a church that obeys only what the Bible teaches you will not find it honoring statues, pictures or relics.

Answer 8

They have forgotten about the second commandment. A Christian church should have a cross in the sanctuary, but it should be a cross without Christ hanging on it. Christ has risen----he no longer hangs on the cross. We do not have to crucify Jesus every Sunday.

Answer 9

I believe it means don't worship the images.

Answer 10

Because they didn't learn the lessons of Israel when they made the golden calf. They have to have something physical to place their faith in. All religions, Christian or not, do this. Only one doesn't.