Are some Christians offended by statues (idols?) such as "buddy christ"?

Question

The bible contains references to warn against worshiping idols (although perhaps not specifically the "buddy christ") ...

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below" Exodus 20:4
Revelation 9:20
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:


http://www.jesusoftheweek.com/jesii/283/index.html

I was trying to be diplomatic in my question. Although the muslims and jews are strict in condemning any forms of idols and pictures (especially of the prophets), modern christian churches are full of them, even though the bible seems to be full of condemnation of these practices.

As in Islam, I think christians will agree that we can make "idols" of money etc but my question is specifically about statues and pictures and why modern christians accept them so readily.

http://www.douglasdispatch.com/articles/2006/09/08/news/religion/religion3.txt

marsia:

Hindus also worship in front of statues, although some say it just helps them concentrate.

From what I have read, I think the bible specifically condems the making of statues/idols:

Leviticus 19:4
" 'Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God."

Numbers 33:52
drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places.

Deuteronomy 4:16
so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,

Answer 1

I think indeed the Bible is pretty clear in that respect: no representations of any kind.

why then Catholics allow so many representations in their churches, of Christ, of Mary, of all the saints (pagan deities recuperated when converting the locals), I continue to not understand it. Luckily most / all other Christian faiths forbid these representation. Not that you don't find any representation either in mosques, or synagogues, because God cannot be represented - I must admit I quite resonate with that view.

This being said, on this front and on quite a few others, the Catholics are simply not Christian, if being Christian means following the text and spirit of the Bible.

Answer 2

while i've not seen the buddy Christ doll, i'm a little surprised they would make a play toy that could be misused and "tossed" around. what i don't understand is how having a statue or picture is worshiping it - don't you have a picture of your family? a statue is not an idol unless you turn it into something more than it is - a rememberance.
If we are not to have any statues or pictures of anything in heaven above or on the earth - what are we all doing with pictures and the "worlds best" statues or art pieces like the lladro, norman rockwell or other things. baby dolls too - those must be idols? Oh let's not stop there -- we need to completely destroy the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and all others things that have been made and or named in honour of someone else. Let's not forget streets named in honour of someone - it seems like all things that have to do with respecting and honouring the memory of someone need to be tossed out the window.
an idol can be anything that someone worships more than God - that is wrong. No one truly in the Rcc worships a particular statue - only respects the person the statue represents.

Answer 3

It is what offends God that matters, and he views idol worship of any kind as unacceptable.
EXODUS 20:4,5 is very clear about that

Most Christians will say "I'm not worshiping them" but that's what the Israelites said when they made the golden calf. They actually dedicated that image to God, but he punished them for it.
EXODUS 32
(verse 5 shows they dedicated it to God)

True Christians do not use any form of idols at all in their worship.
They worship God with spirit & truth
JOHN 4:24

Answer 4

It's just a joke, i can't believe people might get worked up about this when there's so much in the world that is genuinely offensive (buddy christ and images of god in general are non-existant on my list of grievances compared to torture, war, famine, destroying the environment). Some people should get a life, surely the essence of Christianity is something more than petty backbiting about plastic statues?

Answer 5

You answered your own question. The scriptures forbid the making of any idols or images of God (or Jesus, who is God in the flesh). So the "buddy christ" would fall under that restriction. And even if it didn't, it does not take more than a glance at the item to know that the people behind it are deliberately trying to be offense. You appear to be smart enough to realize that.

Answer 6

there are many ways in which mortals can make " idols " especially in this modern day society. think about the idol of money, material goods such as fancy cars, a beautiful home, jewelry, furs, etc. sports figures, movie stars, just to name a few without mentioning anything in any Religious Belief System and think you understand what I'm relating to.

Answer 7

Hi! This is YouNg,

I would want to answer your question with a yes. Actually, MOST Christians are offended by idols that ONLY is a disgrace to GOD (JESUS). Other "Christians" like the Catholics, are not offended by the statue "rosary" or "idol" if they focus more on that thing.
Thanks anyway for allowing me to answer.

GOD bless!

Answer 8

The xtians get out of this one by saying that JC released them from all laws. In other words, they're allowed to do whatever they want. So, we wnid up with such lunacy as the holy spook, to say nothing of a hidden Goddess called the Virgin (??) Mary.

Destroy all the idols and they'd have nothing left to worship.

Answer 9

We are not offended. We expect non-believers to ridicule our faith. Jesus said that people would blaspheme Him. What the world does, the world does. It is God's place to decide what to do about it, if anything. Our place is to show the love, grace and mercy of God to everyone, no matter what the provokation

Answer 10

I know I would rather look at "The Buddy Christ" than be in a chatholic church full of a crucified person, or creepy human like somber statues. WAY TO SCARE THE PANTS OF LITTlE KIDS with your images of death! pshh!