Idolatry

Idolatry is the worship of idols. It is prohibited in the first commandment of the Decalogue.

Idolatry is considered by the Jewish and Christian faiths to be gravely sinful. Early Jews and Christians accepted martyrdom rather than comply with orders to commit idolatry.

Muslims consider statues of religious figures to be a form of idolatry, and do not refer to themselves as Muhammadans for the same reason, as they feel that this term implies that they worship Muhammad.

However, idolatry as perceived by the abrahamic religions is extremely rare. Most religions that make use of idols do not actually worship the image itself. Far more often they are regarded as focus points for worship or as a likeness of the god. Only rarely is the image itself considered to be the god. They can also be used to convey or focus on a particular aspect of a many-faceted deity, and this usage is common in Hinduism.

See also

• Gallery of American Heroes