idolatry
Let an agent explain idolatry as a religious concept with attribution to the traditions that use it, describe its scriptural and theological basis, present debates over icon and Marian veneration neutrally, respect image-using traditions on their own terms, and note figurative uses.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain idolatry as a religious concept with attribution to the traditions that use it, describe its scriptural and theological basis, present debates over icon and Marian veneration neutrally, respect image-using traditions on their own terms, and note figurative uses.
The worship of an idol or physical image as a deity, or the attribution of divine status to created things, a concept defined and condemned within Judaism, Christianity and Islam, exemplified by the biblical golden calf, and applied polemically to practices such as the veneration of icons and of Mary, which their adherents describe as veneration rather than worship; the term is also used figuratively, as in bardolatry for excessive admiration of Shakespeare, and traditions that use images, such as Hinduism, describe their practices in their own terms.
What it is for: Not applicable; a religious concept.
It can be explain the concept with attribution; describe scriptural basis; present veneration debates neutrally; note figurative uses.
Distinguishing features
Abrahamic theological category
Polemical application
Contested boundaries with veneration
Figurative extension
What it looks like
Not a visible object; a theological category.
How it is recognised
Worship of images or created things as divine
Golden calf, iconolatry and Mariolatry as polemical terms, bardolatry figuratively
Veneration of icons and saints is distinguished from worship by its practitioners; image use in Hinduism is described in its own terms
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms, as a doctrinal category
is a kind of - in registry terms, loosely
is prohibited by - in the Abrahamic traditions
is contrasted with - as its practitioners distinguish it
In practice
Families and kinds
idolatry in Judaism and the prohibition of images
idolatry in Christianity and the iconoclast debates
shirk in Islam as the related concept
polemical terms such as iconolatry and Mariolatry
figurative uses such as bardolatry
image use in Hinduism, Buddhism and other traditions described on their own terms
Standards and regulation
Religious law within each tradition
Freedom of religion protections
No civil regulation of the concept
Failure modes and hazards
Applying the term to other religions without attribution
Taking sides in theological disputes
Disrespect toward image-using traditions
Conflating figurative and religious senses
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.idolatry
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What idolatry means.
Attribution.
Definition
Definition in the traditions.
Definition
Definition.
- How do Judaism, Christianity and Islam define idolatry, in their own terms? definition
- Is the question about the theological concept, a polemical label or a figurative use? boundary
Scripture
Scriptural basis.
Scripture
Scripture.
- What do the Hebrew Bible, New Testament and Quran say about idolatry, including the golden calf? provenance
- Which entry fits the specific text? action
Debate Veneration debates.
Attribution.
Icons
Icons and images.
Icons
Icons.
- How did iconoclasm and the defence of icons unfold, and how do churches distinguish veneration from worship, with positions attributed? provenance
- Is the presentation neutral between traditions? boundary
Mary
Marian veneration.
Mary
Mary.
- How do Catholics and Orthodox describe Marian veneration, and how do critics use the term Mariolatry, with attribution? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Traditions Image-using traditions.
Attribution.
Hinduism
Hinduism and Buddhism.
Hinduism
Hinduism.
- How do Hindu and Buddhist traditions describe the use of images in worship, in their own terms? provenance
- Is the presentation respectful and free of the idolatry label? boundary
Judaism
Idolatry in Judaism.
Judaism
Judaism.
- How does Jewish law treat idolatry and the status of other religions, as rabbinic sources describe? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Context Figurative use and scholarship.
Context.
Figurative
Figurative idolatry.
Figurative
Figurative.
- How is idolatry used figuratively, as in bardolatry and critiques of consumerism? provenance
- Which entry fits bardolatry? action
Scholarship
Scholarship.
Scholarship
Scholarship.
- How do religious studies scholars analyse the concept of idolatry, with positions attributed? provenance
- Which entry fits comparative religion? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should shirk and iconoclasm be separate primary entries?
- How should theological sources be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases including polemical terms and a figurative coinage; should they be split off?