What is a Graven Image?
1. As a matter of principle, does God forbid us to make any kind of image (for instance, a picture of a lion) or is it merely the worship of such things that God forbids?
| 32% (222) | God's Second Commandment forbids us to make any images of any living thing | |
|---|---|---|
| 47% (323) | God's Second Commandment forbids only the worship of images - we are free to make them | |
| 16% (110) | Unsure | |
| 3% (25) | No opinion |
680 voters have answered this question.
2. I will now give various examples of what might constitute a graven image, forbidden by God. You have to decide whether it's forbidden. First of all, a statue of a famous president in Washington DC is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 33% (230) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 50% (345) | False | |
| 12% (88) | Unsure | |
| 2% (14) | No opinion |
677 voters have answered this question.
3. A three-dimensional model of an animal (let's say, a horse) used as an ornament, is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 30% (202) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 55% (375) | False | |
| 12% (82) | Unsure | |
| 1% (13) | No opinion |
672 voters have answered this question.
4. A painting of a horse or other animal is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 20% (140) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 64% (431) | False | |
| 13% (89) | Unsure | |
| 1% (12) | No opinion |
672 voters have answered this question.
5. A photograph of a person or an animal is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 17% (117) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 66% (442) | False | |
| 14% (98) | Unsure | |
| 1% (10) | No opinion |
667 voters have answered this question.
6. A statue of a Saint in a public place is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 51% (340) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 35% (232) | False | |
| 12% (81) | Unsure | |
| 1% (9) | No opinion |
662 voters have answered this question.
7. A statue of Jesus Christ in a public place, such as the huge one overlooking Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 52% (344) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 32% (214) | False | |
| 13% (91) | Unsure | |
| 1% (9) | No opinion |
658 voters have answered this question.
8. The US Flag, which has stars on it (image of the heavens) is therefore a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 21% (143) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 56% (379) | False | |
| 6% (41) | Saluting the flag is forbidden, otherwise it's OK | |
| 13% (92) | Unsure | |
| 1% (12) | No opinion |
667 voters have answered this question.
9. A statue of a Saint or religious person inside a Christian Church building is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 55% (367) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 29% (191) | False | |
| 13% (87) | Unsure | |
| 1% (12) | No opinion |
657 voters have answered this question.
10. A painting of a Saint or a religious person inside a Christian Church building is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 44% (287) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 37% (247) | False | |
| 16% (105) | Unsure | |
| 1% (12) | No opinion |
651 voters have answered this question.
11. Any kind of image, for instance a picture of a tree or a fish, inside a Christian Church building is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 29% (193) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 52% (341) | False | |
| 15% (102) | Unsure | |
| 2% (13) | No opinion |
649 voters have answered this question.
12. A statue of Jesus Christ inside a Christian Church building is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 53% (347) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 32% (209) | False | |
| 13% (85) | Unsure | |
| 1% (10) | No opinion |
651 voters have answered this question.
13. A statue of the Virgin Mary with Child in a public place is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 54% (351) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 32% (208) | False | |
| 12% (80) | Unsure | |
| 1% (10) | No opinion |
649 voters have answered this question.
14. A statue of the Virgin Mary with Child inside a Christian Church building is a graven image, forbidden by God.
| 56% (366) | True | |
|---|---|---|
| 29% (192) | False | |
| 12% (83) | Unsure | |
| 1% (10) | No opinion |
651 voters have answered this question.
15. Finally, bearing in mind the words of the Second Commandment, which Christian Church is the worst offender as regards allowing graven images, and bowing down to graven images?
| 54% (355) | Catholic Church | |
|---|---|---|
| 2% (18) | Orthodox Church | |
| 0% (6) | Baptist Church | |
| 0% (4) | Other Christian Church | |
| 15% (104) | It's not for me to judge | |
| 3% (21) | Images in Church are generally OK | |
| 6% (40) | Images in Church are excellent - they help you to worship God | |
| 16% (105) | I don't know the answer to this one |
653 voters have answered this question.
