It wasn’t only until I became an “idol worshiper”
myself that I realized that people who use the term “idol worshiper” when applying it to Hindus, Buddhists, and even Catholics, don’t know what they’re talking about. Orthodox escape being called “idol worshipers” probably because they “worship” paintings instead of statues. And notice how I write “idol worshipers” and “worship” in quotes to show my disdain for those terms, and their incorrect usage.
The reason I say people who use the term “idol worshiper” don’t know what they’re talking about is because it’s not the statue or painting itself that’s being worshiped. God is being worshiped
through the image. You don’t talk
to the telephone, you talk
through the telephone to the person at the other end. Similarly we are talking to God, not stone, wood or metal, or even a painting. When I was Orthodox my priest called the icons a window into the divine world. In the Bhagavad Gita 12.5 Sri Krishna says “
For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifest, the path of realization is full of tribulations. Worship of the unmanifest is exceedingly difficult for embodied beings.”
The commentary on this from Swami Mukundananda is
* The original word is ‘Brahman’. Though not entirely accurate and not entirely incorrect, people refer to Brahman as God.
Moreover, those traditions that [seem to] worship Mary and saints are venerating them, not worshiping them. They’re being given due recognition for their devotion to God. I might further add that those who have a problem with using statues or paintings, venerating saints and criticize others’ beliefs ... it’s none of your business. Get over it.
Everyone has their own paths they follow. No one has the right or authority to say “you’re doing it wrong”. Matthew 7:1-2 If you’re a Bible-believer you’ll know what I mean.
So there’s my belief and reasoning and the beliefs of millions of “idol worshipers”.