Some faiths advocate idols while others condemn them
- An idol is representation or symbol of an object of worship
- Some faiths such as Hinduism permit the use of idols in worship, finding them to be a helpful way to connect to God; a useful focus during prayer, meditation or worship though it is not considered the highest form of worship.
- God can be said to reside in the idol.
- Other religions condemn idols, believing all idols to be a false God.
- An idol is seen to be a replacement for God.
- God is not believed to be present in any idol.
- Idols are even believed to be offensive to God.
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Some define idols to be anything that is more important to us than God
- The direct experience of God is more powerful than any idol.
- Worshiping an idol instead of God is a form of spiritual impoverishment.
- God is more infinitely more powerful than any idol.
- Some argue it is impossible to worship both God and an idol
- Instead of using idols, we should aim to experience God directly
- Instead of using idols, we should also turn to ourselves and our innate inner joy for this is the presence of God within us
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Surrender your idols
- As humans we fall easily for false idols.
- Identify your idols by asking what you cannot do without.
- Surrender your idols and let them go.
- To prevent idolatry, relate all blessings directly to God and rest in a state of constant gratitude.
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Potential religious and spiritual idols
- God as a projection of our needs, fears and desires can become an idol.
- Peak spiritual states and emotions can become an idol.
- Any mental image we have of God is ultimately an idol, a substitute for the real thing.
- Any conceptual understanding of God is ultimately an idol.
- God as anything tangible or concrete is an idol.
- Truth can become an idol.
- Self-righteousness can become an idol.
- Religious fundamentalism can become an idol.
- Our religious doctrines can become an idol if we place them ahead of God.
- False devils can become an idol.
- The universe of form and our belief in its ultimate reality (philosophical materialism) can become an idol.
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Potential idols within
- The desires and thoughts that we worship in place of God can become an idol.
- Our vices can become an idol.
- Ignorance can become an idol.
- Human reason can become an idol.
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Potential idols without
- Popular opinion can become an idol.
- Nationalism and tribalism can become an idol.
- Material possessions can become an idol and any form of wealth.
- Power and fame can become an idol.
- Civilization, society and comfort can become an idol.
- People can become idols.
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Not everyone advises against idols
- Some advocate idols that satisfy our deepest needs
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