What starts worshipping an idol? When Moses went up to the mountain, the people got discouraged and started building a golden calf. What was the motive? Something they could see? What about today, has it changed? Does a person always know when they start worshipping something other then God? calledoutPTL

CO, first of all they did not just suddenly come up with the idea of a bull/calf. It was the most prevelent symbol of religion in the areas in which they travelled. so when they did not see the power of this strange God who was leading them blindly through strange lands, they longed for the comfort of something tangible they could relate to at first glance.

No different today that people would not suddenly bow to a strange idol. Rather, in the case of the holdeman followers, they do not see signs of a God or Spirit which they are directed in writing and prose to worship. There are no miraculous happenings, healings, or many dramatic conversions from troubled lives. (well, there are stories from "somewhere else")

So the people long for a religious element they can recognize at first sight (think of their 'sisters' dress code for example) and this becomes a fixation, a familiar and comfortable sign of religion. The uniformity of "our schools", programs, and the leadership which comforts (by chastisement) like the proverbial shephards rod becomes a tangible "god" or religious icon they can be obedient to and follow.

Just as the Isrealites of old did not create a new icon, but built a familiar one that gave instant recognition, unity, and comfort; so the holdeman people have built an edifice of sorts to comfort them as they travel through "the world" like "pilgrims and strangers" (albeit in comfort not on camels and donkeys).

Good post Peter. Every bodies golden calf seems legit in that moment. I seriously doubt that a cursory self-assessment, i.e., make a pretense of searching for idolatry within your own system will hardly suffice because the mentality used to search with (the search engine) IS the idol (OTVC). But idolatry is fascinating because nothing get through (including comments like this).

How about taking this one step at a time. Question #1. Is there something lacking that gets a person into idolatry? calledoutPTL

If a person doesn't think they are worshipping an idol, are they? When they are taught to worship an idol, they won't know it, are they really worshipping an idol then? If a person doesn't know or realize they are, what happens or makes them realize they are worshipping an idol? They all read the same Word as most people do. calledoutPTL

When does something we do go from just being something we do to being an idol? Like say playing ball, art work, music, keeping the vehicles spotless, house work, our job, the church, the style of worship, our children, our spouse,.............
Have we made the connection that we can make anything in our life an idol to us? What are we using to keep others from getting too close to us? What are we doing to keep from getting too close to GOD? What are we living in fear of that is hindering us from a closer walk with God and being near to him?

Thanks LL for some more good questions. Have you ever noticed that the real meat of the questions on idolatry don't get answered? Such as what, when, who, why, physical or spiritual answers aren't given when Bible verses are quoted. The Bible verses quoted don't always answer the questions. I guess I'd like some real answers from what you'll think on this. Idolatry seems to be different in everyone's thinking. calledoutPTL