"Neither do we eliminate Scripture".
"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them..."Exodus 20:4,5. Seems pretty straightforward and simple. This commandment forbids the making of images for religious use. And it prohibits the worshipping of such. You don't worship them, you don't make them, you don't bow down to them.
And then comes the RCC with their new and improved interpretation of Exodus 20:4,5. [Catechism 2129-2132] First they make this 2nd Commandment part of the 1st Commandment. Which then forces them to divide Exodus 20:17 into two commandments, in order to have ten. No there is no elimination of Scripture going on. THere is simple a shuffling of commandments and squeezing one into another in order to deemmphasize the prohibition against the making of graven images. Such as STATUES.
And if this isn't moxy enough, they simply invent their own interpretation of the commands of Exodus 20:4,5>
"They do not forbid images of Christ and the saints. But to make and honor the images of Christ our Lord, of His holy and virginal Mother, and of the Saints, all of whom were clothed with human nature and appeared in human form is not only NOT forbidden by this Commandment but has always been deemed a holy practice and a most sure indication of gratitude. This position is confirmed by the monuments of the Apostolic age, the General Councils of the Church, and the writing of so many among the Fathers, eminent alike for sanctity and learning, all of whom are of one accord upon the subject." The Roman Catechism.- John A. McHugh, O.P., and Charles J. Callan, O.P., translators, The Roman Catechism: the Catechism of the Council of Trent (Rockford, Il. : Tan Books and Publishers, 1982), pp. 375-376.
Well if this position is "confirmed by monuments, General Councils of the Church, writings of so many among the Fathers, eminent alike for sanctity and learning, all of whom are of one accord upon the subject", then who can argue with that? God perhaps. Since they are HIS COMMANDMENTS.
"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them..."Exodus 20:4,5. Seems pretty straightforward and simple. This commandment forbids the making of images for religious use. And it prohibits the worshipping of such. You don't worship them, you don't make them, you don't bow down to them. Yes, the condemnation of idols. Very good. We agree. Now any likeness? We have and Jews do interpret that as the creation of likeness to represent a false god. If you interpret it literally, you must jettison all photographs, digital images, paintings whether life stills or landscapes, and sculptures of anything real. How are you adhering to that interpretation?
I thought so.
Oh, you have an objection? Well, do you have a cross anywhere in your personal life? You must jettison that as well since it was real thing.
And then comes the RCC with their new and improved interpretation of Exodus 20:4,5. [Catechism 2129-2132] First they make this 2nd Commandment part of the 1st Commandment. Which then forces them to divide Exodus 20:17 into two commandments, in order to have ten. No there is no elimination of Scripture going on. THere is simple a shuffling of commandments and squeezing one into another in order to deemmphasize the prohibition against the making of graven images. Such as STATUES.
I'll call up Washington right now and tell them that you said to destroy the statue of Lincoln:
Oh, My, God!!! They said TEMPLE!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I'll also have to tell them that by the authority of smvoice, that anyone who looks on this statue and feels any emotion whatsoever worships satan and will go to hell. Right?