False Idols

Idols seem to be a big issue for some and a gift for others. Speaking through various religious beliefs, people are devoted to "idols" (like in Hinduism), and others might have such an opposite opinion, stating we should not enough have an image in our minds representing an idol (as believed in Islam). What's pretty ironic about this is that an idol, in western beliefs, is something that does not represent the true form of God. This means that even our desire of something trivial, like sex, music, movies, surfing, shopping, etc., is replacing God within our minds.

Aspects of Hinduism practice Bhakti, or devotion. It is tradition that families choose certain deities to worship, like Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Vishnu, and the Divine Mother, so that they can become closer to God. These are seen by others as false idols, and not God. However, these devoted Hindus are focused more on something divine than we are, as all of these worshipped deities are personal forms of God.
Most of us are constantly thinking about useless things and are addicted to them. It seems to be that the biggest false idol that America is attached to is American Idol (pardon the pun). Even I sometimes want to read books, but I am not attached to them. If I were, I wouldn't be able to experience what these spiritual books are trying to teach! I find it funny that we overlook the most immediate thing that we have, which is God, and replace Him with things that are hard to maintain. And God is so much better that he can't even be compared! However, don't take my word for it. You have to experience it for yourself.


From left to right: Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha, Ramakrishna Paramahansa

In order to find God, it helps most to be devoted towards Him in some sort of image, so it can be related to. Christians might say that the polytheistic religions are worshipping false idols while they themselves could always be thinking of Jesus. Jesus is just the same as Krishna, since they were both considered incarnations of God. Other examples would be Buddha and Ramakrishna. However, focusing on these beings are just a tool for devotion towards God. This doesn't mean that it is at all necessary; many other people, like myself, don't require an image and it might not feel right. I just focus on what is; what I feel in my inner body. This way of doing it is most preferable for Muslims, but someone from any religion might feel the same way. Still, other people like thinking of Jesus and praying to him, since he is referred to as Christ, as Gautama is referred to as Buddha.

False idols are most often sense-objects that can only be fulfilled in certain situations. So, worshipping Shiva would be okay, since that can be done in any situation. Addictions are false idols, as you can't instantly receive them at any moment. For example, if someone is addicted to sex, they can't have sex again instantly when they're done, and a partner isn't always available anyway. Same thing with drugs, and even people and video games, no matter how "innocent" you might consider them. You can't play video games without a screen. People, friends, and family aren't always available, and they can greatly hurt you emotionall when they perish. It is okay, however, to know that everyone is in your presence at all times, only as long as you're present. In this way, people aren't considered false idols because you don't require for their bodies to be close to your own body.

Don't sweat any of these things. This is only useful when trying to be spiritual. Video games or people obviously won't be considered a false idol if you're an agnostic or atheist.