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 Post subject: Christianity is idolatry
PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:17 pm 
Look in Mishneh Torah, Sefer K'dusha, Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot 11:7-NOTE [24]
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_c ... ter-11.htm


  
 
 Post subject: Re: Christianity is idolatry
PostPosted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:32 pm 
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I normally don't respond to such blatantly provocative questions, but in this case I will make an exception...

First let me state that "idolatry" can mean a lot of different things, but primarily it centers on the exaltation of the ego and the worship of the creature, rather than the Creator. And while it is true that some Christian sects have engaged in overt idolatry through the "veneration of saints" (hagiolatry), the use of icons, crucifixes, etc., it is wrong to make such a sweeping statement that "Christianity (as a whole) is idolatry." To say such is simply lashon hara - evil speech....

Second, it may be cogently argued that post Second Temple Judaism (as a philosophical system) is a form of idolatry since it is based on an absolute monism that contradicts the plain teachings of the Torah and its message (i.e., the development of the Talmud and related literature, including Kabbalah). Absolute monism reduces to the absurd proposition of Parmenides and the Greeks, and later Jewish thought (after the time of Jesus) simply absorbed many themes of Hellenistic thought. Moreover, traditional Judaism can be regarded as cultic and ethnocentric, with its own "veneration of saints" and uses of symbols, icons, and superstitious religious rituals. Maimonides was basically an Aristotelian philosopher who tapped Aristotle, just as Philo of Alexandria tapped Plato. It is simply hypocritical to assume that Christianity is influenced by paganism and to overlook Judaism's own pagan history.

Ultimately idolatry is a form of self-worship. Those who reject the Mashiach of Israel and forsake His truth are the true idolaters, since they assume that they can merit eternal life based on their own efforts and thereby disregard the salvation given through the LORD God of Israel....



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