[Lera]

So then you agree that people bowing to a rock statue that is NOT GOD is a sin?

[EnglishCon]

So then you agree that people bowing to a rock statue that is NOT GOD is a sin?

---

Um, that is in the 10 Comandments. We all have them - not just Christians of various flavors, but Jews and Muslims too.

It is the intent that counts.

Worshipping a statue is, of course, a sin. Using it to focus on God, well then it is a tool.
Think of a statue as a gun, or a hammer, or a kitchen knife. It can be used for harm (mistaking the statue for God) or it can be used for good (a way of focussing)

Going to go new age for a second. You ever tried meditating? One of the basic techniques for a novice is to watch a candle flame. It give you a focus. Eventually, you can work with just the idea of a candle, instead of the physical object. The statue is the equivalent of the candle flame, to orient peoples minds to God.

[JSteff]

Lera (and other participants of this thread) a whole day later and this is still an issue or question? Calm yourselves and let it drop. It was an interesting and thought provoking discussion, but no one wins any points by carrying it any further.

FR is so cool because it makes you think. Time to put this discussion aside. Ponder on it and come to terms of what you got out of the discussion. Did it put your minds closer to the Lord, if only for a small part of your lives?

Everyone had a great intellectual workout. Now peace and calm need to preside in our minds.
The very cool thing here is how many believers we have on FR who have interest on trying to get it right.

That said, here something that may be another point of interest to many; how many fully clothed angels can fit on the hear of a pin?
/sic