Does having a nativity set up with little people and baby Jesus constitute idolatry?
How is that different from having a statue in one's house of worship?
2007-12-16 12:24:06 · 13 answers · asked by skurka 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That is a very good point. This has been a very big debate among different denominations of Christianity. There are some who will refuse to wear a crucifix, hang an image of Jesus on the wall, or have statues or figurines because of this, while others think as long as it only has to do with Jesus it is ok. I think it is just one more thing that they all argue about that detracts from the true meaning of Jesus' message. If that is who they follow, then they must surely realize if they have truly read the Bible and educated themselves that he lived a very simple life and said that things of an earthly nature (such as this very issue) do not matter. He was focused on much more important issues such as helping your fellow man, taking care of your family, being good to and giving love to all, etc. I do not think he gave a whit nor does he to this day how people choose to or if they even do worship Him. That would make him arrogant and conceited. When the Bible spoke of people needing to accept Christ, I think it meant to accept His message as way of life, not to worship him directly. It is a way of living, and I think he was too humble to be wanting everyone kissing his butt, so to speak.
If you like a nativity scene, think it's pretty or whatever, I say fine, go for it. If you don't, you don't. In the big picture it's all trivial.
2007-12-16 12:40:41 · answer #1 · answered by GhostHunterB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians have debated this from the beginning. A few times, the image-breakers (iconoclasts) have won. This happened for religious reasons during the Byzantine period, and for non-religious reasons during the French, Russian and Chinese revolutions.
Early Christians, because of their deep-seated beliefs in Jewish traditions, were understandably nervous about images. But the argument that has won out overwhelmingly was that Jesus, incarnation of the living God, was himself an icon (or image) of God. So if God himself was not above making an image of himself, why should we?
In my home, we set up a nativity scene at Christmas. We do this to remind ourselves of the events of Bethlehem 2000 years ago. We do not worship the Nativity scene, but we consider it a blessing in our house. It is a wonderful counterpoint to the consumer-driven Christmas that so many of us celebrate. Christmas would not be the same without it.
2007-12-16 20:40:41 · answer #2 · answered by Jeanster 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it does not because a person would have to bow down before the statue and worship the statue for it to be idolatry.
2007-12-16 20:29:34 · answer #3 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's idolatry. It's a symbol of one's faith. It only beomes the worsip of an idol if you worship the statues.
I have my own issues with most nativities. I can't imagine any mother (or father) who would sit and watch their child in a hay-filled feed bin while they knelt alongside. Any nativity in my home shows Mary holding the child. Haven't found any where Joseph is cradling the infant, so if you know where I can find one, let me know. I'm not Christian, but I believe in Jesus and his teachings, and love the ideals that the nativity envokes in me!
Have a Blessed evening!
2007-12-16 20:29:11 · answer #4 · answered by Katie Short, Atheati Princess 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No.
It is a reminder of the real reason for the season. That being said if you are praying to the figures, or any statue you have in your home, or actually worshiping it, then yes it would.
I personally worship the living christ not a statue of him.
2007-12-16 20:33:28 · answer #5 · answered by Smudge 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Idolatry means worshipping the image ITSELF as if it had power.
On the other hand, Nativity scenes, crucifixes, etc. merely serve as reminders of our faith.
God allowed the ark of the covenant to have two golden cheribum angels on top of it. Images are okay, as long as they aren't worshipped.
2007-12-16 20:28:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
It is a way of honoring the Lord in our celebrations, we do not bow down to the baby Jesus statue and pray to it!
2007-12-16 20:34:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jenny 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It does not. People may worship at the nativity scene; they do not worship the scene itself, or any part of it.
2007-12-16 20:31:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think in the nativity scenes we can see in a way
how it was when Christ was born there in a manger
and how humble everything was,,it,s a beautiful thing
to see for those that know Jesus.
2007-12-16 20:31:21 · answer #9 · answered by elaine 30705 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you pray to the nativity or sacrifice to it it and believe its some kind of god itself, it will be an idol but to set one up to glorify GOD is a blessing.
2007-12-16 20:31:37 · answer #10 · answered by country boy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋