"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;"
Exodus 20: 4-5 (King James Version).
Note that those are two prohibitions. not one.
Should I throw my camera away, or risk my great-grandchildren getting cooties because God got mad, or what should I do?
2007-08-25 02:31:40 · 17 answers · asked by 2kool4u 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My point is that it doesn't just say you shouldn't worship such likeness--it says you shouldn't make it in the first place.
2007-08-25 02:38:33 · update #1
Could the answerers please read what the text actually says? It says you should not make any likeness of anything. The stuff about graven images comes before, and the stuff about worshipping them comes after. It clearly says not to make a likeness. I am really worried about my descendants on this one.
2007-08-25 02:43:50 · update #2
true only if you are going to bow down to it and worship it
you are created in the image of God, you must respect all things that is worship.The whole world are making images and wooden statues and build altars and build churches and create dieties and call it God and worship it. the bible says you should worship God in truth and spirit only.not anything else you must believe that Jesus came to earth to reunite you with the creator.Jesus didnt come to die for your sin only but to make you to stop worshipping ba`al
as for your camera keep on taking pictures and enjoy it
2007-08-25 02:36:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throw your camera away and destroy all your pictures if you are worshiping the pics you take.
Having a picture and worshiping it are two very different things.
When that commandment was written, people used to make statues (idols) then simply decide that this was or represented their god and would bow down before it.
Additional details:
Look, the commandment deals with MAKING such idols for the act of worshiping, if it bothers you that much, then just get rid of your camera, not to mention everything else in your life that has an image on it or produces images, such as your TV and computer. As long as you are not worshiping these images you are not breaking the commandment.
2007-08-25 09:43:23 · answer #2 · answered by bender_xr217 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is why context is important. When put into context it is obviously about idols and Jews were so into idols as were a lot of people at the time. The Jews got the message because they don't go for idols to this day.
When put into context with the whole Bible it is obvious that God wants to be worshiped in spirit and truth, and not have some statue that people bow down to instead concentrating on the statue instead of God.
2007-08-25 09:48:28 · answer #3 · answered by theedge 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The scripture your referring to in my bible version (NIV) says: 4 "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. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. From my knowledge of the bible God is talking about images that are used as idols. That would mean an image of Jesus and you worship the picture instead of Jesus himself. Taking pictures of your grand kids or anyone else is not an idol. You don't think your kids or grand kids are God's do you? In the Merriam Webster dictionary idols are defined as a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly : a false god. Your pictures of your kids do not fit this scripture nor does it fit the definition of the dictionary for idols. So by all means snap away with no fear of God being angry with you or your decedents. God Bless
2007-08-25 11:30:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have totally Miss interpreted this passage. This is referring to the period in history when God had lead the Israelites out of Egypt a land of many Gods. He wasn't talking about taking photographs. He was talking about the fact that you would be punished if you worship other idols or Gods. That he is the one true God and he is the only one that is worthy of worship. Get a study bible it might help you to keep God's word in context.
2007-08-25 09:39:58 · answer #5 · answered by fire_side_2003 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its saying not to worship any any image!not to take any image!It's fine to take pictures.I mean why would god care? here if you need a walkthourgh of why its ok it does say not to take any pictures in the first part but it only makes sense with the last part THOU SHALT NOT BOW DOWN TO THEM. so take pictures just dont worship them:P
2007-08-25 09:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by Cute as a... HIPPO! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Graven image - something carved, sculpted or engraved. I haven't considered photographs as carvings. Idols were cut out of wood or shaped into metal. Do you bow down and worship your photographs?
2007-08-25 09:41:20 · answer #7 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either your a space cadet or a new sect got a hold on you let me quess they want you to sell the camera and give them the money then get a ticket to heaven right
2007-08-25 09:46:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are planning on worshipping a picture or serving it I think you're safe to keep your camera.
2007-08-25 09:35:57 · answer #9 · answered by Choqs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I detect sarcasm here. If you don't worship photos then they're technically not graven images, right?
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2007-08-25 09:41:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋