The reason idolizing is a sin?

Question

How many people here go to church? Did you know the church is an idol?Did you know the teaching about idolizing does not support the church? Also, a priest is an idol.

The reason the teaching about idolizing was made is because it is a protective mechanism to prevent people from being exploited for their belief. Do you not agree that this is a reason why idolizing is a sin? Why?

Geist Kö***,

"Did you know that the meaning of Church is "gathering"? Did you also know that church is not necessarily a building?"

Yes, I do know that. That is exactly my point. How many of you stand outside and are taught the teachings of Jesus? This is the only acceptable form.

Currently when someone goes to church, it is usually a massive building also known as the "House of God". This is idolizing.

Answer 1

I disagree.

Idolatry is divine worship given to an image, but its signification has been extended to all Divine worship given to anyone or anything but the true God.

By definition, a person entering any building to worship the one true God is not idolatry.

By definition, a person gathering with fellow believers led by an ordained minister in worship of the one true God is not idolatry.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Ok, first explain why you think a church or a priest is an idol. Christians don't worship the church and they don't worship the priest. Just because you worship IN a church or directed in worship BY a prieset does not mean you are worshipping either.

"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. You shall not bow down to them or worship them..."

Yes, I know people bow to the pope and other high officials, but that is a tradition of respect not worship.

Answer 3

Did you know that the meaning of Church is "gathering"? Did you also know that church is not necessarily a building?

Well I'm glad you know that. My community doesn't always meet up in a huge building and we have never called this huge building a church...We even sometimes go to the nature and have our church there... I guess you are probably talking about people who messed up the religion (some even worship the statue of Jesus... that is so horrible!!!)

Answer 4

Who says the church is an idol? I don't worship it. I don't worship my priest, either. Idolization is veneration of an image; veneration is a religious symbolic act giving honor to someone by honoring an image of that person, particularly applied to saints. So, no, I do not know why, but hopefully this information will help you.

"8You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
9You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, 10but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments."

Answer 5

Is it idolatry to say that there is no salvation without the Pope?

The answer is Yes. It is idolatry. Salvation is found only in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:12, Acts 2:38, Zec 14:9 No other name, Any Church or Any Religion can offer salvation.

The Bible never remotely indicates that one must go through a church to obtain salvation. The only requirement for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ Alone.

Is it idolatry to call the Pope "Holy Father"?

The answer is Yes. It is idolatry. There is not a single instance in the Scriptures where any title of Holy Father is applied to a man on earth.

The term, “Holy Father” is used only once in the entire Bible. No one is to be called Holy Father, except the one in heaven who is God.

FYI, The Bible says that the antichrist will call himself God.

Is it idolatry to venerate Mary and the saints?

The answer is Yes. It is idolatry. The images of Christ, Mary and of the other saints are to be had and to be kept especially in Churches and due honor and veneration are to be given them.” Council of Trent, 25th sess. (1563).

The Bible says, "Cursed is any man who makes any graven image or molten image it is an abomination to the Lord.” Lev. 26:1, Deut.27:15

Catechism of the Catholic church And whoever venerates an image venerates the person behind it. Who's behind them? Paul stated that to worship an idol is pagan because behind every idol is a demon.

While Catholics accept this practice of bowing in front of statues of Mary or saints God does not accept it, He forbids it.

Is it idolatry to venerate "images"?

The answer is Yes. It is idolatry. It is written, “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.” Deut. 4:16.

In Ex.20:4-5 God forbids anyone who follows Him to make images for use in their worship.

Answer 6

Idolizing a church? I believe those who are truly saved in Christ Jesus go to church to HEAR THE WORD of God- not because they "love the church in itself" but God wants those who love Him to fellowship- this is biblical! Why do you think the Bible says that the Lord will come back for His "church" the "bride" ?
--that is not an idol-
idols would be the computer for one- if you spent all your time on here all day. ( and I admit there are times I tell myself to get off because I do not want to spend too much time on here)
--also television--
--anything that TAKES PLACE of God...that is an idol.
Idolatry- even statues people worship in other countries- false gods- these are idols.
But going to church because you want to grow spiritually and obey the Lord, that is God's plan for those who love Him- we need spiritual food, and God speaks through Pastors, and anoints some to pastor churches, so that the congregation can be brought up in the faith of Jesus Christ and learn more of the " meat" of His word. Without the Bible, we would all fall away- for it is God's word- and it is was keeps us grounded in our faith in Him and He teaches us through His word- that is why He gave it to us! And worship is very important- God says in the bible he wants a "sacrifice of PRAISE" unto Him. So I hope you understand that- going to church does not make you a christian- it keeps you accountable to the Lord and draws you closer to Him- when you are in fellowship with other believers.

Answer 7

For one to idolize the church, one must consider it of more worth than anything else. A priest would beacome and idol, only, if one consider him of more worth than anything else. Whatever one is worshiping is their idol, B. Spears is an idol, statues are idols if one worships them, Anything worshipped that is not the Supreme Creator of the Universe, and all that is in them is an idol.

Answer 8

Shalom,

Idolizing is simply the worship of exterior things i.e a physical church(like you named), the Jesus-God and thats just to name a few. It's suppose to be about the inner self rather than the outward self. When one worships outwardly in rituals and traditions then they are pagans. Christians are pagan, Catholics are pagan, Jews are pagan and Muslims are pagan. Anything and everything becomes about what they perceive through their carnal mind. This is why they look upon the scriptures as literal and are utterly incapable of knowing the mysteries of God because they are not of the carnal mind.

Idolizing becomes a stumbling block for individuals to ever begin to learn about their true self. Why? Because they await heavens in the sky or are in fear of fiery hells in the ground, or waiting for a Jesus God to bring them into a eternal bliss when they themselves are ignorantly living in poverty. All these things keep man shackled hand and foot in the cave of illusions. All scriptures were made to serve as a catalyst for man to begin to know his true self, but men and women of pagan mindset quickly corrupt the scriptures turning them into fairy tale like stories and ignorantly squandering away their portion of the kingdom for sensual things. Just as Esau traded Jacob his inheritance for a mere morsel of food.

And to the foolish people who say you go to church to hear the word of God. What has been given? The word became flesh, the word is within you. Not in a temple made with the hands of man.

Peace

Aza

Answer 9

Idolizing is sin because when we Idolize something it becomes god in our lives & takes the place of the true God. God told the Isrealites that He is a jealous God & that they were not to have other gods before (or ahead of or instead of) Him

Answer 10

an idol is a GOD!

Psa 19:9 The reverence of Yahweh[is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of Yahweh[are] true [and] righteous altogether.

Psa 19:10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward.