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Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
I believe that the crucifix is a form of idolatry. CMV.

**OP will no longer be responding to comments in this thread.**

First things first

Idolatry: immoderate attachment or devotion to something.

And since Idolatry is synonymous with Idolization

Idolization: To love or admire to excess.


In my (admittedly limited) ventures into mainstream churches, it seems to be a common practice for some people to kneel before a crucifix before they pray, some of these crucifix contain an image of Jesus, others do not.

I feel that offering prayer before such an image in order to gain a special dispensation (indulgence) is directly in contrast to God's commandment in Exodus 20:4-5 **You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or 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. **You shall not bow down to them** or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.

Similar gripes with crucifix necklaces.

Please, change my view.


**EDIT:** First off I'd like to thank everyone for contributing, so thanks guys!

Secondly, this CMV has opened my eyes to why people use a crucifix and why they believe it is acceptable.

I still think that prayer via crucifix is a bit to idol-y for myself, however it isn't really my place to tell anyone else that they're loving God the wrong way.

Once again, thanks for the discussion.

OP out!
gpt
>Idolatry: immoderate attachment or devotion to something.

There are two definitions of idolatry, one is the one you mentioned, the other is "the worship of a physical object as a god" or "worship of idols".
 
The crucifix isn't worshiped as a physical object, nor is it viewed as a god, there may be immoderate attachment, but that is more personal opinion as to what is moderate and what isn't.

>2132 The Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed, "the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype," and "whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it."70 The honor paid to sacred images is a "respectful veneration," not the adoration due to God alone:

Catechism 2132 states that veneration of images passes onto whoever the image or item portrays. The crucifix portrays Jesus, so venerating the crucifix simply passes onto Jesus, instead of worshiping the crucifix. It isn't idolatry, it is simply venerating an image of Jesus.