Is Bowing Before a Mary Statue Idolatry?

Is Bowing Before a Mary Statue Idolatry?

Protestants often say that Catholics worship Mary in their pious acts, such as when they bow before a statue of Mary. But this objection assumes that the act of bowing is necessarily an act of worship. In this Ready Reasons video, Karlo explains why this assumption is false and why Marian piety is not idolatrous.

Copyright Catholic Answers, Inc. 2016

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About Karlo Broussard:

Karlo holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theology from Catholic Distance University and the Augustine Institute, and is currently working on his masters in philosophy with Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He also worked for several years in an apprenticeship with nationally known author and theologian Fr. Robert J. Spitzer at the Magis Center of Reason and Faith.

Karlo is one of the most dynamic and gifted Catholic speakers on the circuit today, communicating with precision of thought, a genuine love for God, and an enthusiasm that inspires.

Script:

As Catholics, we’re used to Protestants accusing us of worshipping Mary. And those of us who have some knowledge of our faith have a ready response: “We don’t worship Mary, we honor her.”

But Protestants are quick to respond: “Catholics may say they don’t worship Mary, but their actions suggest otherwise, such as when they bow before a Mary statue.”

The objection assumes that bowing before something or someone necessarily involves worship. But this is not true.

For example, Solomon didn’t worship his mother when he bowed before her in 1 Kings 2:19. It was simply a gesture of honor given her as Queen Mother. Jesus himself says in Revelation 3:9 that he will make “those of the synagogue of Satan” “bow down” before the feet of the Christians in Philadelphia. If bowing before another in and of itself were an act of worship, then Jesus would be commanding idolatry. But that’s absurd.

It’s possible that someone who bows before a statue of Mary might offer the statue, or Mary herself, worship. But the idolatry would not be due to the act of bowing. It would be due to the intentional offering of worship; like in the case of Cornelius who bowed before Peter and worshipped him in Acts 10:25-26. If a Catholic were to do such a thing, they would need to repent and begin offering worship to the one who alone has a right to our worship, namely God.

So, to my Catholic friends I say, “Don’t shy away from showing honor to our Queen Mother via her images, as long as we give her the appropriate honor that is due to her as God’s perfect creation.”

For Catholic Answers, I’m Karlo Broussard. Thanks for watching.

[axelkodah]

Every example he gave was someone who was alive at the time. The scripture clearly states "You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I AM the Lord your GOD."

[kevinrtres]

The "Queen Mother", "Queen of Heaven" - absolute, pure PAGANISM - Read Jeremiah 44 and get the full picture. The ROMAN catholic thing does not get it. It is sinning, officially.

[JesterStuttle]

"Protestants are quick to respond." Because it's obvious idolatry. It's easy to call out.

[faithinjesuschrist]

Acts 10:25
"And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him."
KJV

Acts 10:26
"But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man."
KJV


"But Peter took him up, saying, stand up; I myself also am a man"
Peter is human and is not worthy to be worship. Peter knew clearly that he is not worthy to be worship because he is a human.( Can the speaker of the video address not only about the Cornelius fell down at Peter's feet but also about why Peter took Cornelius up, saying, stand up; I myself also am a man).
Mary is a human and is not worthy to be worship.



Revelation 22:8
"And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things."
KJV

Revelation 22:9
"Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God."
KJV.

We should not worship the angel.

Worship belong to God alone.

[susanpepper]

You are comparing a concrete or wood statue that is painted to look like a woman and bowing down to it. That is pegan worship according to the Lord. The examples you give to compare a statue with living people being honored in the bible makes no since since your statue is not alive. Then there are the verses in the bible that say do not make images of anything in Heaven or earth or the water. That would cover mary because she is in Heaven
That would cover Saints because they are in Heaven . That would cover Jesus and Angels because they are in Heaven. The Word of God is Jesus and the Word of God is above ALL men ! I'm not Prodestant or Catholic . I am a follower and believer in Jesus Christ the son, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. can go into a quiet space any time and talk to God without anyone telling me i must perform this ritual this way or that ritual that way. Love Mercy Grace kindness compassion .

[dbz]

Hello, where does it tell you in the Bible to pray to Mary?

[anofritz]

exodus 20: 4-5 *DO NOT MAKE STATUE, NOR BOW DOWN TO IT!*
deuteronomy 5:8-9 (repeated again)

[R_samurai]

Why Honor Mary?Why?
She was just chosen by GOD to give birth to Lord Jesus....
Doesn't mean she is Queen of heaven or any thing like Even Mary would not want such a title!!

[michaels]

Keep reading Acts 10:25-26 Peter makes Cornelius get up and Peter tells him “I am only a man myself” after making Cornelius rise back to his feet. This actually strengthens the argument you are preaching against

[dabasha]

Lord Jesus Christ is coming soon. and you know what your fate will be.

[brylleiv]

Dont BOW to graven images even tho is mary it is still a statue made by us

[delfingarcia]

No amount of explanation can justify that you dont bow down on mary, and you make statues images, that alone is prohibited by God, bible says no one comes to the father but Christ alone, Christ even called mary woman not mother, mary was just a vehicle for christ physical birth. Rosary is not in the bible, immaculate conception is not in the scriptures... Please study the bible.

[MyEnriqueb]

If you hate and dishonor Her, you hate and dishonor Jesus Himself.  Read Matthew: 16, verse 18

[dominic]

Yes, no matter what these guys say when you pray to anyone or anything other than GOD through JESUS, you are blaspheming the holiness of ALMIGHTY GOD !

[fredflintstone]

No problem with the bowing down, what's scary is the practice of praying to her to petition YHWH to grant those prayers, which kinda contradicts the whole "not worshiping" thing. No one comes to the Father but through Yahusha. If the intent is to show respect for Mary for her role in our saviour's life as a man, why not address her honorably as the faithful mother of Yahusha our saviour and not as queen of stars, heavens, earth or other titles which were not explicitly mentioned or explained in the scriptures in the first place, but similar to those of pagan goddesses.

[borrburison]

People clearly didn't watch the video lol

[Aivottaja]

Yes. A replication of Ishtar and the worship of Divine Femininity as well.

[cris-jfzc]

exodus 20: 4-5 DO NOT MAKE STATUE, NOR BOW DOWN TO IT!

[kevinrtres]

OK, we get it - to Catholics it's not worship but to the rest of the world who are not encumbered by the rc religion, it's plain and simple idolatry.
The rosary contains this line:
**Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope**
Jesus alone is King - there is no "queen" in heaven.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ===>>> Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *the Father of mercies and God of all comfort*
Deuteronomy 30:20 ===>>> God is our life -
Colossians 3:4 ====>>>> Jesus is our life
Psalm 62 and Psalm 46 ====>>>> God ALONE is our hope.
*Mary is deified in this line - anyone praying it is committing idolatry*

[JasonX]

There is a great difference between bowing before a person or a graven image.
Do Catholics not see Mary as intercessor to God? Bowing to a person to honour them is not the same as bowing to a statue of Mary in prayer.

Ex 20:4 "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:"

Exodus 20:5 "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;"