ask the ECRC What does
ask the ECRC What does idolatry mean to us today? When people use the term “idolatry,” the very first thing that comes to the listener’s mind is the classic understanding of worshiping strange gods like Zeus for the Greeks and Neptune for the Romans. Although this understanding is accurate, it is very limited. The term idolatry is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “immoderate attachment or devotion to something.” From a Christian perspective it means replacing the creator with the creature. The Bible, in both the Old and the New Testament, rejects those who worship idols. The reason behind it is the fact that our God created us for Him to love Him and live with Him in a personal relationship (Exodus 20:5). God also rejects idols because they debase us to a level that was never intended. That is they make us less dignified people who were created in the image and likeness ‘God rejects idols because they debase us to a level that was never intended.’ of God and more self-centered creators of our gods. These empty idols make their worshipers empty (ccc 2112). Does idolatry still exist? The simple answer to this question is yes. However, it must be mentioned that the concept of ancient idolatry of worshipping strange gods is outdated. Today there are a few isolated spots in the world where we find the practice of such worship. But since idolatry is the act of replacing the creator with a creature, one can say that it not only exists today but it is flourishing. St. John shortly after the time of Jesus wrote “Children, be on your guard against idols” (1 John 5:21). This letter of St. John was written to Christians and not to pagans who worshiped strange gods. Those Christians followed Jesus to the point of losing their lives for Christ, yet we see St. John warning the believers from falling into this grave sin of idolatry. Christian saints throughout the last 2,000 years have warned believers from making certain things as their new gods, such as money, sex and power. It’s unnecessary for us to dwell on this fact, KARAM BAHNAm SPECIAL TO THE CHALDEAN NEWS since a simple observation of the world today reveals without a doubt the accuracy of this argument. Most of us who are reading this might make the claim that we are practicing Christians and therefore don’t need to worry about the danger of falling in this sin. No, because the sin of idolatry is the invention of the devil who, according to St. Peter, is a roaring lion that seeks the moment to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is devouring us today, according to the late Pope John Paul II, by making us replace God with things with which we are attaching ourselves in an excessive way. Pope John Paul II and Idolatry In his visit to Denver, Colorado, in 1979 the late Pope warned Christians from falling into the worship of three new idols without knowing it. The first is the idol of independence. Those who make independence as their god act as if no one can tell them what to do. They disobey parents, church, tradition or even God because they think they know better. This idol is popular among young people. The second idol is the idol of comfort. By comfort the Pontiff did not mean physical comfort only, but he meant the desire to fit in. If by the idol of independence we disobey God because we know better, it’s by the idol of comfort we disobey God to gain the approval of the world. This idol is popular among adults who do so much to please others like buying a house, car or even clothing, to name a few examples, just to fit in. The third and final idol is the idol of pleasure. Those who make pleasure their idol are those who make food, sex, sports, gambling, etc., as the center of their existence. What John Paul II gave us in his depiction of idolatry today and what the Christian saints gave us over the years point to one reality: human beings are always ready to replace God with another. The final result is in making ourselves as “gods” because all idols point to the “I” as the center of our existence. If we can overcome the “I” we can overcome idolatry from its roots. Solution We must begin to differentiate between that which is good and necessary and the same thing that could chain us into idolatry. As St. Paul would say, “Everything is lawful for me but not everything is beneficial. Everything is lawful for me but I will not let myself be dominated by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12). But can we do this on our own? The answer is no! We need Jesus. There is a famous saying that declares, “It is better to light a candle than to curse darkness.” If the darkness is the symbol of sin, then Jesus, Who is the light, is what we need the most. Through a personal relationship with Jesus, we can do all things through Him Who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Through this light, we can change the idols of the world into an instrument that strengthen us so that we may be able to give praise and glory to God. Karam Bahnam is on the administrative committee of the Eastern Catholic Re-Evangelization Center, a lay organization made up of volunteers committed to answering the late Pope John Paul II’s call to re-evangelize the world. We welcome questions to info@chaldeannews.com. Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower has everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. 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