For centuries, Catholic Churches were built to give glory to God and to educate His people. The church where we assist at Mass was built in 1876 and is like a beautiful art museum.
My husband decided to be baptized back in '86 after going to church with me. He said when he walked in the church, "God is definitely here!" And that was it for him!
Oh, by the way, please explain why God gave Moses such exact plans for the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus, Ch. 10), which included statues of cherubs to be place on top of it? Or the brazen serpent from Number 21:8, which the people were to look upon in order to be healed. They were NOT idols. DUH.
God’s instructions about objects having anything to do with Spirituality were very precise and specific.
Anyone worshipping any of the Ark objects vs Him would have been just as subject to stoning as anyone worshipping any other object.
Yes, I loved the museum quality of the Vatican treasures. However, there was clearly, on the part of SOME pilgrims,
WORSHPFUL awe, reverence, behaviors.
And, the presentations, emphases of a good many of the statues were as idols.
I think a Buddhist would see it that way.
So would a Hindu.
So would many RC folks from Mexico etc.
Just the facts, as I see it.