Exodus 20:2-5 no graven image. Does not mean we should not have them. If so- then God would contradict Himself, and we know God does not do that in the Bible and His teachings. He is not strict and absolute in the context of this teaching. Just 5 chapters later- God gives Moses explicit instructions on how to construct the “Ark of the Covenant” Exodus 25:17-19 Which is sculpted statues of angels on the Ark. This was to contain the presence of God and was to be venerated{honored} as the holiest place in all of Israel.
The anti-Catholics continually try to win the argument by controlling the language. Don't let them get away with calling Church art "Idolatry". A "graven image" is one that itself has some magical powers. It does not mean iconic images of Christ, Mary and the saints intended to help concentrate ones mind and prayer on what the image represents.
The Bible clearly states that we are not to make "graven images" and "bow down and serve them."
Get it?
Art work is fine.
Kneeling before, bowing down to, venerating and praying to artwork is idolatry.
Read the Bible.
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 upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" -- Exodus 20:4-5"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.
Read the words. God says those who make graven images and bow down and serve them "hate" God.
They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them." -- Psalm 115:4-8" Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.