ArchivedGerani, youll want to read thisgerani1248 wrote:yes, the 'christ' is mentioned in the OT. But jews dont think that the 'christ' is jesus. only christians do. big difference on the interpretation of the OT.
Big difference on the understanding of the Bible. The Jews are awaiting the conquering Messiah who is also predicted in the OT. Deut 5:6-10
6'I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
7'You shall have no other gods before Me.
8'You shall not make for yourself a carved image -- any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. NKJV
The cross did not become a symbol in Christianity until after Constantine made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century. The use of images in Christianity dates to about the same period in history. The use of images was banned and labeled heresy in the 8th century a decision that was reversed at the 2nd council of Nicea called not by a Pope but by the Empress Irene. Pope Gregory III (elected 731) condemned the use of images in worship. Pope Constantine V (elected 740), who ruled the church for nearly sixty years, condemned the use of images of Christ as heretical because only Christ’s human nature could be depicted. A church council which met near Chalcedon on February 10, 753 (and lasted seven months), condemned the use of images in worship as being “idolatrous and heretical, a temptation to the faith that originated with the devil.” That council had 338 bishops in attendance, making it one of the largest councils held up to that time. So much for the idea of papal infallibility and the unchanging church! The Bible is clear: idolatry is false worship.
http://www.reformed.com/pub/rc.htm#R9
The holy Synod cried out: So we all believe, we all are so minded, we all give our consent and have signed. This is the faith of the Apostles, this is the faith of the orthodox, this is the faith which hath made firm the whole world. Believing in one God, to be celebrated in Trinity, we salute the honourable images ! Those who do not so hold, let them be anathema. Those who do not thus think, let them be driven far away from the Church. For we follow the most ancient legislation of the Catholic Church. We keep the laws of the Fathers. We anathematize those who add anything to or take anything away from the Catholic Church. We anathematize the introduced novelty of the revilers of Christians. We salute the venerable images. We place under anathema those who do not do this. Anathema to them who presume to apply to the venerable images the things said in Holy Scripture about idols. Anathema to those who do not salute the holy and venerable images. Anathema to those who call the sacred images idols. Anathema to those who say that Christians resort to the sacred images as to gods. Anathema to those who say that any other delivered us from idols except Christ our God. Anathema to those who dare to say that at any time the Catholic Church received idols.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/nicea2-dec.html
Buddhists do not worship the image of Budha, however: Buddha Images
Some people believe that Buddhists worship idols, but this is not true. Buddhists bow or make offerings of flowers and incense in reverence to the Buddha, not to the image. When they do so they reflect on the virtues of the Buddha and are inspired to become like him. Buddha images are not necessary, but they are helpful. The most important thing is to follow the Buddha's teachings.
There are many different kinds of Buddha and Bodhisattva images that show different qualities. For example, a statue of the Buddha with his hand resting gently in his lap reminds us to develop peace within ourselves. A statue with the Buddha's right hand touching the ground shows determination.
Traditional Offerings
Traditional offerings are to show respect to the Buddha.
Flowers- are offered as reminders of how quickly things change
Light from lamps or candles- symbolizes wisdom
Incense- reminds one to be peaceful
Water- represents purity
Food- reminds us to give our best to the Buddhas.
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm
The use of images is in fact a violation of historic Judeo/Christian beliefs.
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