Once art is called “religious” art one is ascribing holiness to the art.
As I said above, would one toss the art in the garbage without giving it a second thought ?
If one does not ascribe any holiness to the art, one would not think twice about tossing the art in the garbage.
If someone knocks the head off a “religious” statue, are they “desecrating” it ?
If one considers them to have “desecrated” the statue, then one is ascribing holiness to the art.
The art of the Holy Temple of ancient Israel was specific to the Temple because the Temple was constructed based on direct revelation from God through the prophets. There is no New Testament analog to the Temple that is directed by the New Testament for Christian worship.
If you recall, the New Testament quite emphatically ends ceremonial law of the Old Testament in the sections which speak to the issue of Gentiles not being required to practice the Jewish rites and feasts.
“Once art is called “religious” art one is ascribing holiness to the art.”
No. That’s like saying sports art is athletic rather than it represents athletic people and acts of athleticism.
“As I said above, would one toss the art in the garbage without giving it a second thought ?”
Would you throw pictures of your family in the trash without giving it a second thought? Would you throw away a baseball card collection without at least considering its worth? What you’re saying makes no sense.