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?
>> I think you'd agree this includes an 'image of God' at least as Michelangelo portrayed Him in this instance.<<
Well you’d probably be thinking wrong. I haven’t heard anyone using that as an image to bow down in front of. I do have issues with those however in that God also said not to try to portray him in any likeness. Why do you think that God never allowed anyone to actually “see” Him? That is an image of man’s construct. God is spirit.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
God told Moses that he didn’t see any likeness of God for a reason.
Deuteronomy 4:14 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of likeness on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: 15 so 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,
If you feel that reducing God to an image like that gives Him the glory He deserves I certainly can’t stop you.