We all have our idols

[Music]

It is not only religous folks who have their idols. Others do too. Money could be an idol, sometimes ideas and ideals. Or celebrities, nations, one's profession, just about anything that fills the emptiness in our hearts. In short, most people in this world are idolators one way or another.

Although I am no believer, I do admire the Hebrew prophets for having had this wonderful insight. They were most likely the first, plus they tirelessly worked toward educating people on the dangers of idolatry.

So to me, this isn't just about religion. If it were, I wouldn't have cared. It is a deep insight into why humans have a natural tendency to seek idols, and how such behavior invariably leads to conflict on all levels.

 

[ChristineES]

I remember discussing this in a Philosophy course I took. We talked about how anything could be a "God" or idol, even ourselves. It was described as something that was so important to someone, the person is obsessed by it.

 

[Madhuri]

From a Hindu perspective, what you are speaking of is from my understand the effects of Maya and the sense of incompleteness of Self. We are always looking for something external to fill the hole inside. But external things cannot complete us. To find real happiness and unity with the Divine, we need to search within our own self (we believe that God is in the core of our own individual selves as well as separately).

 

[9Westy9]

for me it's video games and the internet

 

[BSM1]

Seems like nowadays the biggest idol for the ultra-religous is the religion itself.

 

[Revoltingest]

The things which some people will believe......

 

[Music]

From a Hindu perspective, what you are speaking of is from my understand the effects of Maya and the sense of incompleteness of Self. We are always looking for something external to fill the hole inside. But external things cannot complete us. To find real happiness and unity with the Divine, we need to search within our own self (we believe that God is in the core of our own individual selves as well as separately).

But Hinduism has multiple gods, each representing a certain thing in the material world - wealth, success etc. this indirectly leads to idolatry.

 

[Sir Doom]

???

 

[gnomon]

I don't have any idols.

But I'm also a pessimist who adheres to cynical views of humanity.

So does that mean a concept such as cynicism is my idol? Would seem to render the concept of idols as moot.

 

[Madhuri]

But Hinduism has multiple gods, each representing a certain thing in the material world - wealth, success etc. this indirectly leads to idolatry.

A person who actually studies Vedic scriptures will not be inclined to worshiping material things. In fact, any attachment to the material world will keep us in bondage. So what you are saying is not relevant to Hindu religion.

 

[MD]

I don't have any idols.

But I'm also a pessimist who adheres to cynical views of humanity.

So does that mean a concept such as cynicism is my idol? Would seem to render the concept of idols as moot.

Asimov perhaps?

 

[gnomon]

Asimov perhaps?

I like him but don't idolize him. I'm quick to say that I found Foundation interesting but it's a slow read and never read the rest of the series. However, Asimov's "Last Question" is the best speculative short narrative I've ever read.

 

[MD]

I like him but don't idolize him. I'm quick to say that I found Foundation interesting but it's a slow read and never read the rest of the series. However, Asimov's "Last Question" is the best speculative short narrative I've ever read.

I won't lie, he had a huge influence on me as a child. I was actually an agnostic as a teenager before I became a theist. My favorite short story was 'The Last Answer'.

 

[oldbadger]

Take away our idols and our whole race will collapse. Our flags, sports teams, companies, gods, beliefs, cars, yachts, collections etc, and (sadly, sometimes) even our selves.

All as important to humans as status is to dogs. Is there anybody out there who can successfully claim to have no idol at all, of any kind? I wish I could make such claim, but I both adore and idolise.

 

[Madhuri]

Is there anybody out there who can successfully claim to have no idol at all, of any kind?

I can't think of anyone or anything that I idolise. There are people and things i admire and aspire to for various reasons but I wouldn't say I idolise them.

 

[Storm]

Take away our idols and our whole race will collapse. Our flags, sports teams, companies, gods, beliefs, cars, yachts, collections etc, and (sadly, sometimes) even our selves.

All as important to humans as status is to dogs. Is there anybody out there who can successfully claim to have no idol at all, of any kind? I wish I could make such claim, but I both adore and idolise.

Sorry, but no. Not everyone is so materialistic as to base their identity on that kind of crap.

As to whether I'm free of idols, it depends on your nuance. If it's just something I really like, sure, I've got plenty. Nothing I couldn't live without,though. And I seriously doubt you mean it terms of idolatry, which I avoid like the plague.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Mine's named George and I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him and pat him and pet him and rub him and caress him and...