[EnglishCon]

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

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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.

[metmom]

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.

Problem is, the second commandment deals with actions, not just the heart. The command is to not make graven images and to not bow down to them.

Interestingly, God did not say not to worship them, but not to bow down before them.

[Lera]

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.

Exo 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

So what is the intent ? I don't trust you enough to go directly to you ?