IDOLATRY (Idol Worship)

I have for long ridiculed Idolatry (IDOL WORSHIP) and argued that GOD is the 'state of being a perfect human'. My view is that God cannot be found in any place or idol; one has to look for and find Him within oneself. Most religions accept that God is 'one'; then why the multiple entities worshipped by religious groups? In fact, Hindus practise idolatry liberally, and worship a dozen or more Gods in various forms and shapes. Their faith is different and multiple. All of them get the solace they are seeking.

What is idolatry? Usually defined as:

"Worship of any cult image, idea, or object, as opposed to the worship of a monotheistic God". ...... "Hinduism neither prescribes nor proscribes worship of images (idols)" ........ "Hindus believe with regard to God that he is one, eternal, without beginning or end, acting by free will, almighty, all-wise, beyond all likeness and unlikeness, and that he does not resemble anything nor does anything resemble him"

(Wikipedia)

I have tried to examine the opposite viewpoint. My take on this is:

"Human race, when faced with adversities, looked up to someone to redeem them from their suffereing. They soon realised that no living being on earth has absolute control on the events that govern their life. This led to the concept of a supernatural power that controlled and shaped all that is happening in the universe. They saw earth, sun, moon, stars, water, wind, living nature (flora and fauna) and several other entities that constantly functioned in a harmonious manner to keep the universe going. It was soon realised that these entities were beyond humankind to alter or mend. Naturally, the mankind looked upto some celestial power that governed the life of everything everywhere. Thus was born the concept of GOD as an entity not approachable by earthly means. . Soon helpless and suffering people took to prayers as the only means to invoke their GOD for redeeming themselves from suffering.

Mankind required some symbol for their prayers rather than praying to an abstract power. The five elements (Panchabhootha - Water, Fire, Wind, Earth and cosmos) that kept life going were identified and some imaginary physical form or symbol was evolved to help praying. Several new forms of God ensued to suit every social group. Some adopted great humans who did enormous good for mankind, such as Lord Krishna, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammad, Buddha, Guru Govind Singh, and so on). These worshipers formed ehnic groups and adopted their God's teachings as their scriptures (Gita, Quaran, Bible, Budhist Teachings, Guru Granth Sahib) and made it their religion. This is perhaps the genesis of religious groups Hindus, Christians, Mohammadans, Sikhs, Budhists, and so on. In time, many more entities and religious groups and sub-groups evolved, and established their own cult and religious entity".

Thus God is worshipped and prayers are used to invoke God's grace to redeem mankind from sufferings that were beyond human power to redeem. The idols they evolved as their God became the focal point for their prayers. They prayed in total faith and attained mental strength to carry on and on.This, in short, is idolatry'

Having said all these, the question now is: How can we take away these idols from the people for whom the idol is the form in which they had faith, and from which they drew inspiration? When you can hang a picture of Mahatma Gandhi on your wall to draw inspiration from it, why not other idols? Idol is thus the accepted (acceptable) medium for humans to seek help from the supernatural - call it by any name.

Based on this analysis, I feel inclined to accept 'Idol Worship' as a practical device for mankind to draw solace and inspiration for overcoming their problems and sorrows. The device and the form are absolutely 'unique' for each person (personal God), and represents his/her faith. Faith is the guiding light for mankind; let us grant it.

Let us leave everyone to choose their God or idol as their symbol of faith, and as a means for redemption from suffering. I now believe, faith and idol worship are personal and individual; as real as life itself. It cannot be based on a mandate or order from any other, whoever it may be.