How does one defend the difference between veneration and idolatry?

dyet13 · #1 May 9, '12, 12:04 pm

Greetings and Peace be with you all.

I have been watching the extraordinary DVD by Fr. Barron, Catholicism...amazing. Very proud to be part of the authentic teaching and Church of Christ Jesus.

My concern is, when defending the Catholic faith on idolatry, I do a good job in doing so, but in DVD 1 and 2, it displays some scenes whereby people are kissing a statue of baby Jesus held in the arms of a priest.

I know the Church does not teach and forbids idolatry, but how to I defend that if a non-Catholic sees that and asks about it?

I was a bit confused myself on that particular scene as well.

God Bless

**1ke** · #2 May 9, '12, 12:32 pm

That is veneration, not idolatry.

Convert95 · #3 May 9, '12, 12:34 pm

You could ask them if they've ever kissed a photograph of a loved one, if so perhaps that will give them a bit of insight.

JNdoum · #4 May 9, '12, 1:07 pm

You might remind them about the difference between worshipping an object and in honouring what it represents. It would be idolatry if we worshipped the statue, but we only honour He who is represented by it.

giuseppeTO · #5 May 9, '12, 1:15 pm

An idol represents a false god and worshipping it constitutes idolatry. The figure of Christ is a representation of Christ. Catholics do not believe the statue personifies or is somehow consubstantial with Christ. It is merely a physical sign of reverence that we are unfortunately limited to in our physical/mortal sphere.

cradlecatholic5 · #6 May 9, '12, 1:25 pm

You could ask them if they've ever kissed a photograph of a loved one, if so perhaps that will give them a bit of insight.

Gem · #7 May 9, '12, 1:30 pm

Yes, idolatry in the bible refers the the worship of false gods through statues, not the making of figures representing Jesus, saints, etc.

God Himself commanded the making of the bronze serpent and that people should look upon it to be healed. He commanded the making of gold cherubim figures to be placed on the Ark of the Covenant which was placed in the holy of holies in the tent, then temple.

It's the worship of false gods that violates the 1st commandent. The making of idols that represent those gods is an extension of that.

Gem

dyet13 · #8 May 10, '12, 7:41 pm

Thank you everyone for the postings. Great explanations from all. That is what I was looking for in the event of such encounter with someone who would see that and I would have had to explain it.

God bless all of you and may peace be with you.