Reply To: Iconoclasm

[Dean Riley]

With the vast array of Byzantine art, I feel that there are instances where the art is just trying to convey a story, such as David Battling Goliath. There are other instances where the art has become more of an icon or idol. When miracles and such are attached to an art piece rather than Jesus Christ, the person if giving the acclaim to an idol and not who or what the idol represents which I feel is a violation of the Second Commandment. There have been stories or statues of Virgin Mary crying or statues of Christ bleeding and both “healing” people of serious maladies. People will come from all around to touch the statue in order to be healed. Are these people worshipping and believing in God to heal them or are they worshipping an idol and trusting that statue to heal them?