Idolatry

Man's bowing down before idols of selfish ambition contradicts the intended masterpiece he was meant to be, stirring God and his Sons to be jealous for man, not of him. 4:3.1

Moses bravely stood against idolatry, declaring the commandment not to make molten gods to the Hebrews. 96:5.5 142:3.12

Early images preserved the appearance and memory of the dead, evolving into idols through a consecration ceremony that was believed to imbue them with spirit. 88:2.4

Symbolism in religion can be either good or bad, depending on whether it displaces the original worshipful idea, to avoid direct idolatry of the material object. 85:3.5

Pilate's disfavor with the Jews was fueled by his disregard for their deep-seated prejudice against images, leading to a series of unfortunate encounters that diminished his prestige. 185:1.3-4

Moses's prohibitions made into misunderstood false gods by those who frown upon the beauty of created things. 142:4.2-3

Idolatry was much based on memory of Nodite supermen coming down to mate with mortals in post-rebellion days. 67:4.3-4

Idols were refinements of fetishism, believed to preserve the spirit of the illustrious dead through consecration ceremonies. 88:2.4

Sacrifice cherished idols to enter the kingdom of heaven, as Jesus taught the apostles in Capernaum. 158:8.1

Idol making originated sculpture, architecture, poetry, music, drama, and dancing in religion, shaping cultural development. 92:3.6

Material idols are empty vessels, devoid of any spiritual presence. 150:3.10

In the Urantia Book

Young Jesus

• Jesus challenged Joseph regarding the idolatrous custom of kissing the doorpost parchment as part of a ritual during his last year at school. 124:4.7
• Jesus challenged the chazan regarding the teaching that all images were idolatrous, despite his love for drawing and modeling. 124:1.3

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

• God is not manlike 4:3.1 — Nm 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29.
• God said to be jealous for 4:3.1 — Ezk 39:25; Jl 2:18; Zec 1:14; Zec 8:2. *God said to be jealous of*: Ex 20:5; Ex 34:14; Nah 1:2; Dt 4:24; Dt 5:9; Dt 6:15; Jos 24:19.
• The Lord is one God 96:5.5 — Dt 6:4. *There is none beside*: Dt 4:35,39.
• Who is like our God among all 96:5.5 — Ex 15:11.
• You saw no similitude the day 96:5.5 — Dt 4:15.
• No molten god 142:3.12 — Ex 20:4; Ex 34:17; Dt 5:8.
• Moses fought idolatry 142:4.2 — Ex 20:4; Dt 5:8. *Changed by law of love*: Is 38:17; Is 55:4-7; Is 63:7-9. *Love God and thy neighbor*: Mt 5:43-44; Mt 19:19; Mt 22:36-40; Mk 12:28-33; Lk 10:25-27.
• Enter like child 158:8.1 — Mt 18:2-4; Mt 19:13-14; Mk 9:36-37; Mk 10:13-15; Lk 9:47-48; Lk 18:16-17.
• Humble himself 158:8.1 — Mt 18:1-4; Mt 23:11-12; Lk 14:11; Lk 18:14.
• Who is greatest 158:8.1 — Mt 18:2-5; Mt 20:26-27; Mt 23:11-12; Mk 10:43-44; Lk 9:46-47; Lk 22:26.
• He who receives child receives me 158:8.1 — Mt 10:40; Lk 9:48.
• To be first, minister the rest 158:8.1 — Mt 20:26-27; Mt 23:11-12; Mk 9:35; Mk 10:43-44; Lk 22:26-27.
• Millstone around neck 158:8.1 — Mt 18:6; Mk 9:42; Lk 17:2.
• Cut off offending parts 158:8.1 — Mk 9:43-47.
• Jesus questions customs 124:4.7 — Dt 6:6-9.
• Lord preserves going out... 124:4.7 — Ps 121:8.