Can someone please explain to me how these Christian wristbands are "idolatry"?

I'm accustomed to seeing the word "idolatry" flung around when it comes to Catholicism ... erroneously ... but that's not what this is about.



Two of the answers to this question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;…



concerning wristbands with a Christian message/purpose assert that even these are "idolatry, not in the Bible, false doctrine".



We're talking this sort of thing: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/B…



So am I correct in assuming that according to some, wearing ANYTHING related to one's faith is "idolatry"? Including words on a flexible rubber wristband?



Please note that although a Catholic is asking the question, the items under discussion are NOT specifically Catholic and can be found in just about any (evangelical) Christian bookstore.Can someone please explain to me how these Christian wristbands are "idolatry"?
The stumbling of fundamentalist scripture interpreters over the meaning of such a basic concept as idolatry demonstrates their abject inadequacy for dealing with tougher questions, like the authority of the church, infant baptism, and the meaning of the Eucharist.



To mistake a wristband for an idol is to flunk the kindergarten exit exam in Christianity.



For remedial Christians, here is an idol:

http://www.piney.com/MolechFlame.jpg



For more advanced Christians, this passage further explains idolatry:



2113: Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon." Many martyrs died for not adoring "the Beast" refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.



A word to the modern Pharisees: Jesus' burden is easy and his yoke is light. Wristbands are not sinful.



Cheers,

Bruce
At least two of them are bordering on copyright infringement.Can someone please explain to me how these Christian wristbands are "idolatry"?
You know, only my evanglical friends wear those and I am positive that they are not worshipping their wristbands. So I can't imagine that it would be idolatry.....



I think there are a very, very small percentage of people out there who are a little unclear on the definition of idolatry.
"Idolatry" is often shouted by people who are in serious need of a life.



No one is worshipping these bracelets.Can someone please explain to me how these Christian wristbands are "idolatry"?
It's a silly notion. Idolatry is the worship of something or someone other than God. Switching a wristband from arm to arm is not worship of any sort. It is simply a way of training yourself to do something. It's a Pavlov's Dog kind of thing, really... conditioning yourself to react a certain way. I think it is a great idea.
No one is worshiping these bracelets and so having an idol before God - they're wearing them to remind themselves and show other people that they worship God.
Okay, saw the responses to the linked question... does it get any more ridiculous? Someone asks an innocent question and just because religious wear is involved all the fundies blow the "false idol" horn. Would it help if they talked to that fellow named Webster and asked to borrow his dictionary? Maybe then they'd have the correct understanding of the word 'idol'.



God bless.
Well, I don't see what is wrong with wearing your faith. And if what you are wearing, helps you improve your faith (ie. watching your thoughts and tongue) then it's a good thing.
Dictionary.com--



i·dol·a·try



1. the religious worship of idols.

2. excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion, etc.



Wikipedia--



Idolatry is usually defined as worship of any cult image, idea, or object, as opposed to the worship of a monotheistic God.



The wearing of these bracelets do not in any way fall into the category of idolatry in any way, shape, form, or fashion. However, a person can open the door for the bracelets to become idols to them, if they are not careful.



This would occur in the same way that having a picture of Jesus in the home or wearing a cross is not in and of itself idolatrous, but should a person begin to pray to the image in the picture, or develop a dependence on or devotion to the cross, that would be idolatry.



To address your second question ("So am I correct in assuming that according to some, wearing ANYTHING related to one's faith is "idolatry"? Including words on a flexible rubber wristband?"), you essentially answered it yourself (in an unrelated way) when you stated that people 'erroneously' apply the term idolatry to Catholicism.



People are going to think whatever they want to on any given subject under the sun. Particularly religion. That does not necessarily make them the final authority on said subject.



Just as you believe that those who relate idolatry to Catholicism are in error, those who believe that the wearing of a simple silicone bracelet can lead to or is idolatry are in error in some people's views, while others will agree with them.



Hope I helped.

God bless you. ?
Sheeesh!! I better be careful I wear a "Cross your heart bra" someone probably thinks I worship my bra, better switch brands.. LOL
It's really sad.



The bottom line, I think, is that they have an aversion to anything that is not "required". If it is promoted and it is not required, they see it as a "Roman" thing that is "not necessary" therefore they not only disregard it, but they classify it as a danger.



It's a good thing prayer is specifically endorsed by Jesus. Otherwise they wouldn't do that either. I'm sure of it.
Hello Born Again Catholic.



I'm back for a bit.



The problem is those who have nothing to offer can only criticize. Other than bringing harm and/or pain to others, there is no wrong way to praise God. If your praise and prayers are true to your heart, God will know it is true. Making up all the "I speak in God's name" (really meaning "I think I'm God") rules you can and putting down the beliefs of others does not change that fact.



I'm glad I was brought up in one of the religions (Catholic) that does not follow the "Everything Not Forbidden Is Mandatory" school of thought.



Idol worship to wear a Cristian bracelet in the praise of God! One of the stupidest things I've ever heard.



Regards,





Lenny.



PS : Good question, we need more like it.



L.
I will not wear one of those bracelets but I don't think wearing them is idolatry. Those who say it is does not know the meaning of idolatry.
I don't see what's wrong with the wristbands or wearing anything else that shows your faith. Wearing something like a wristband or necklace shows the world you are proud of your faith and no one will ever make you back down from it. God Bless.
Catholics know not idolatry, many rude Christians says Catholics worship idols.



Here's a Protestant Evangelical Camp:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5CgvgjfwyPs%26amp;f…



LOL...
When my daughters moved into a house while going to college, there was this metal case on the doorpost. It was mysteriously removed at some time and I then investigated as to what it was. Below is a description from a Judaism 101 website.



It's sad that some really do not know what idolatry really means.





--------------------------------------…





Mezuzah

On the doorposts of traditional Jewish homes , you will find a small case .This case is commonly known as a mezuzah (Heb.: doorpost), because it is placed upon the doorposts of the house. The mezuzah is not, as some suppose, a good-luck charm, nor does it have any connection with the lamb's blood placed on the doorposts in Egypt. Rather, it is a constant reminder of G-d's presence and G-d's mitzvot.



The mitzvah to place mezuzot on the doorposts of our houses is derived from Deut. 6:4-9, a passage commonly known as the Shema (Hear, from the first word of the passage). In that passage, G-d commands us to keep His words constantly in our minds and in our hearts, by (among other things) writing them on the doorposts of our house. The words of the Shema are written on a tiny scroll of parchment, along with the words of a companion passage, Deut. 11:13-21. On the back of the scroll, a name of G-d is written. The scroll is then rolled up and placed in the case, so that the first letter of the Name (the letter Shin) is visible (or, more commonly, the letter Shin is written on the outside of the case).



The scroll must be handwritten in a special style of writing and must be placed in the case to fulfill the mitzvah. According to traditional authorities, mechanically printed scrolls do not fulfill the mitzvah of the mezuzah, nor does an empty case.



The case and scroll are then nailed or affixed to the right side doorpost on an angle, with a small ceremony called Chanukkat Ha-Bayit (dedication of the house - yes, this is the same word as Chanukkah, the holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean revolt against Greece). A brief blessing is recited. See the text of the blessing at Affixing the Mezuzah.





Every time you pass through a door with a mezuzah on it, you touch the mezuzah and then kiss the fingers that touched it, expressing love and respect for G-d and his mitzvot and reminding yourself of the mitzvot contained within them.



It is proper to remove a mezuzah when you move, and in fact, it is usually recommended. If you leave it in place, the subsequent owner may treat it with disrespect, and this is a grave sin. I have seen many mezuzot in apartment complexes that have been painted over by subsequent owners, and it breaks my heart every time I see that sort of disrespect to an object of religious significance.















Tefillin

The Shema also commands us to bind the words to our hands and between our eyes. We do this by "laying tefillin," that is, by binding to our arms and foreheads leather pouches containing scrolls of Torah passages.



The word "tefillin" is usually translated "phylacteries," if you don't already know what tefillin are, and partly because it means "amulet," and suggests that tefillin are some kind of protective charm, which they clearly are not. On the contrary, the word "tefillin" is etymologically related to the word "tefilah" (prayer) and the root Pe-Lamed-Lamed (judgment).



Like the mezuzah, tefillin are meant to remind us of G-d's mitzvot. At weekday morning services, one case is tied to the arm, with the scrolls at the biceps and leather straps extending down the arm to the hand, then another case is tied to the head, with the case on the forehead and the straps hanging down over the shoulders. Appropriate blessings are recited during this process. The tefillin are removed at the conclusion of the morning services. See a general outline of this process and its blessings at Tallit and Tefillin.



Like the scrolls in a mezuzah, the scrolls in tefillin must be hand-written in a special style of writing.
If you're putting your faith in the wristbands, then I'd say yes it's idolatry. It's one thing to wear something to remind you of something important, it's a totally different thing to use such things like spiritual charms. That's "witchcraftic"



If they're just a reminder or symbol of something then no of course not. Such things are supposed to point us / remind us of the unseen One who is with us. They are signs pointing to God %26amp; His truth not tools for manipulating the Spirit world.
Tebone, what an answer !



LOL