Idolatry facts for kids
Idolatry is the worship of statues or images as a god. It is also used as a metaphor for other extreme devotion to a person of thing.
Idolatry as a Metaphor
Religious leaders have used the idea of Idolatry (literal worship of statues or images) as a metaphor. They call anything that comes ahead of God an Idol. Saint Paul writes that "covetousness" (wanting material things) is idolatry. Jesus preached that "you cannot serve God and Mammon". Mammon was the Syrian God of riches. Muslim writers warn of making idols of material things or even political ideologies. Eastern religions have also warned about making material things one's god.
"Idolizing" persons, such as rock stars can also be seen as a form of idolatry. The popular TV show "American Idol" seems to use the term in a positive way. But this has been questioned even by non religious persons. Billy Graham has warned against various things that become idols in a person's life.
Images for kids
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Moses Indignant at the Golden Calf, painting by William Blake, 1799–1800
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Moses breaks the original two stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments in response to the Israelites' worship of the Golden Calf; woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1860.
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A 1768 synagogue parchment with the Ten Commandments by Jekuthiel Sofer. Among other things, it prohibits idolatry
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Pope Pius V praying with a crucifix, painting by August Kraus
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The veneration of images of Mary is called Marian devotion (above: Lithuania), a practice questioned in the majority of Protestant Christianity.
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An expression of reverence to Gomateshwara statue in Jainism.
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Inti Raymi, a winter solstice festival of the Inca people, reveres Inti – the sun deity. Offerings include round bread and maize beer.
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The Aztec Tula Atlantean statues (above) have been called as symbols of idolatry, but may have just been stone images of warriors.
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See also
In Spanish: Idolatría para niños
