No graven images

[Laid_black_rose]

It says in Exodus 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."

So heres my question: I have a lot of anime and video game figures in my room. Same for my brother. Do you think that Exodus 20:4 means like having figures or small statues of your favorite video game or anime characters?

~LBR~ heart  

[Priestley]

Do you use them for worship or worship them as gods?

Graven images and likenesses refer both to aids to worship, that is, tools one might use to help them worship God (e.g. a carving of Jesus on a cross hanging in a church) and to idols in the image of anything in creation that is worshipped as God should be (e.g. the golden calf in Exodus).  

[Laid_black_rose]

ah, i understand. No i do not worship these things. I just have them caus i like them.  

[Priestley]

In that case, there ought not to be a problem with it. I think what's most important is that they have their place and they in no way rob you of your relationship with God.

Good on you. 3nodding  

[Edith Puthie]

Acutally it makes you think.
When does something go so far that it is an Idol?  

[Priestley]

Paranormal Zombiiie

Acutally it makes you think.
When does something go so far that it is an Idol?

When it's worshipped as a god. When it's created for some ritual as though it contains power, e.g. crucifix being kissed, voodoo doll being pierced, etc.. When it becomes an obsession that would otherwise steal one's attention away from one's relationship with Jehovah.

There are quite a few examples mentioned in the Old Testament of idolatry in the forms above. The latter example is a more modern idea, though.  

[The Amazing Ryuu]

An idol can be anything in the modern day. Your job, your significant other, money, even family. It's hard to keep God as a central focus.  

[Priestley]

ryuu_chan

An idol can be anything in the modern day. Your job, your significant other, money, even family. It's hard to keep God as a central focus.

That's a very broad definition, one which I think is very modern.  

[Fushigi na Butterfly]

Though not necessarily bad. Times have changed- we have more stuff, and we have to incorporate that more stuff into our definitions in order to help ourselves stay focused on what really matters. We have to define the things that don't. More stuff means more things to define and categorize.  

[Priestley]

It seems like a very Buddhist idea, that materialism and ties to worldly things are the source of all suffering.