IDOLATRY

 

“Idolatry is among the most serious of sins….modern idols or false gods can take such forms as clothes, homes, businesses, machines, automobiles, pleasure boats, and numerous other material deflectors from the path to godhood…

“Intangible things make just as ready gods. Degrees and letters and titles can become idols…

“Many worship the hunt, the fishing trip, the vacation, the weekend picnics and outings. Others have as their idols the games of sport, baseball, football, the bullfight, or golf….still another image men worship is that of power and prestige….these gods of power, wealth, and influence are most demanding and are quite as real as the golden calves of the children of Israel in the wilderness.”

-          President Spencer W. Kimball, “Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me” , Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, Gospel Library Chapter 14

The other day I happened to see a video clip of a deceased and very famous music artist performing one of his most known songs. I had never before noticed what I saw in this video – a frenzied screaming audience with adult men and women crying as this performer contorted his body in unnatural movements meant to be dancing that reminded me of nothing less than contortions of evil spirits cited in Jesus’ time (Mark 9:17-29)

This video brought to my mind the subject of idolatry……so I would like to add the stark reality of worshiping other human beings to the above list of what we worship…..because I think they are the most dangerous. 

Today our idolatry has moved into another realm, that of influence. We have even invented the legitimate title of ‘influencer’ to people we watch and revere on social media. There are influencers for fashion, home, travel, body and anything that would make us covet what they have and what they tell us to buy. Who and what we idolize, we worship.

And then there are podcasts of people who pass off conspiracies as truth and who persuade others to their way of thinking whilst earning great amounts of money without conscience. Technology has made it ever so easy for many voices of the world to be heard. Many of these voices are under the influence of the adversary who seeks to sow criticism, division and hatred amongst us.

If we are not listening to the voices who promote and inspire us to seek after the paths that strengthen our connection to God, we are listening to one of the voices of the world. If we work on our relationship with God, our relationships with family, friends and the human family will follow. It’s called ‘obeying the two greatest commandments’, loving God and loving our neighbour. Where these two commandments are alive and vibrating in our lives, idolatry has no place. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)