IDOLATRY:
the making of IMAGES to represent GOD or the GODS. Critics of idolatry say
that people who use such things believe that they either are in some way indwelt by the
God. Most worshipers of such images argue that they simply represent the God and act as
aids to WORSHIP. Although popular in many religions such as in ancient Egypt, Greece,
HINDUISM, and other religions of Indian origin, the making of such images was condemned in
the HEBREW BIBLE and subsequently by CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM and RABBINIC JUDAISM.
Ancient CHINESE and JAPANESE RELIGIONS seem to have been free from the use of images to
represent the Gods until the introduction of BUDDHISM when they quickly accepted this new
art form.
