[CynicalBear]

>> Since I kneeled before my wife to propose to her, she is an idol?<<

Were you using her as an image of God through which to worship Him?

[D-fendr]

So, we can see that bowing and kneeling is not what makes an idol and idol.

Were you using her as an image of God through which to worship Him?

So we need "God" in or definition. Good.

You now have: "used as an image of God through which to worship Him"

If we take the example of this image:

I think you'd agree this includes an 'image of God' at least as Michelangelo portrayed Him in this instance.

What would make this image of God an idol to complete your definition? Is it an idol? More precisely, imagine a human being in front of it. How would you correctly identify this person as guilty of the sin of idolatry or not?