Isn't there a difference between a graven image or idol one worships and a statue someone designs as art?
A Jehovah Witness once told me I worshiped my Christmas tree and my thought was what??? I don't kneel and pray to it. It is only a household decoration like a picture hanging on a wall, a plant in the corner, or a pillow on a sofa. I just read the question on graven images and would like someone to clarify this. (I would be the first to agree, however, that many of our traditions are false traditions, i.e. tooth fairy, Easter bunny, Santa). I always tried to teach my children that Santa was a person who gave gifts without wanting recognition and praise for his gifts and that they could be Santa's too. We had a lot of fun implementing this concept.
The sin does not come from the object, but the intent of the person looking at it. I can have a piece of art on my wall, and express appreciation for its beauty without worshiping it. On the other hand, if I see someone in need, and selling the art would generate the needed finances to help that someone through a tough time, and I make the decision to keep the art and ignore the person's need, then the art becomes an idol. The moment you place a greater value on a piece of property than helping someone in need, the object has become your god. You do not have to bow down to something to worship it, just value it more than a person and it becomes an idol.
Bicycling Bear Children's wall toy sculpture
