And yet RC's bow down, or kneel, in front of statues of Mary with the expectation that their prayers will be heard by her and receive special treatment if she so wills. This is ascribing god like powers to her.
Ex.34:17 You shall make no molded gods for yourselves.
This is what the statues of Mary are and the grotto's RC's flock to seeking her intercession on their behalf.
Bowing down to a likeness that you take to be a god is a violation of commandment.
I agree with you on that.
Yet, at the same time, Wm, I’ve been amused at Christmas time for it is “protestant icon hour”. They pull out the stops with “Nativity Scenes”. Large ones, small ones, plastic ones, carved ones, lighted ones, living ones, and fabulously arrranged ones.
Entire programs are built around coming to ooooh and aaaaahh over the Graven Images of Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Christ Child, etc.
What if Catholics simply oooohhh and aaaahhh all year long instead of just at Christmas?