[Jewbacca]

Not to butt in, but as a goy, you’re not subject to the 10 Commandments, but rather the laws of Noah.

That said, number one of the laws of noah is “no idolatry.”

So you get to the same place.

Anyway, you seem to be taking the Orthodox view set out in Hilkhot Avodat Kokhavim (Avodah Zarah) - The Laws of Strange Worship (Idolatry) -— being that idolatry is not limited to the worship of a statue or picture itself, but also includes worship of the HaShem with the use of mediators and/or any artistic representations of G-d.

In fact, Maimonides explains in chapter 1 of Hilkhot Avodat Kokhavim (Avoda Zarah) in the Mishneh Torah that worship of HaShem by use of revered icons is one of the ways that idolatry, and thence paganism, began.

In short, yours is a respected, and very Jewish, position.

Rather ironic.

(I came to this thread because icon reverence is particularly disturbing to me, however well-intentioned.)

[Sudetenland]

Oy vey!:)

It is also the Calvinist view, as well as many who feel uncomfortable with reverence of icons...even to the reverence shown to the cross. I am not a Calvinist, but I have never been able to reconcile the prominency and deference given to the cross in the Christian church with the commandment against idolatry. I understand it's use as a symbol of the faith itself to inform those who are searching that this is a place of Chritian worship, but not beyond that rather pedestrian utility.

Additionally, how can one claim not to be worshipping an idol when, at least in the Catholic Church, he genuflects to the alter and the Cross and the statue of Jesus, before he enters the pew?

I honor the Jews and find much to admire in them. I have shared Friday night Sabbath dinner many times with my Jewish friends...but I remain a gentle goy(or is that a gentile goy :))...and a very happy Christian.