A deeper look into Icons

What century is the earliest period of time when you think Iconography was first introduced to the Church?

In your own words, explain what you know about the origin of Iconography. For the sakes of the poll, please do not do research on the topic, as the intent is to find out what you know. If you do not know anything about the origins, simply say so and move on.

Do you use Icons in your church/temple/place of worship?

If the Icons are used in your Church, explain the uses and purposes in more details. More importantly, explain the reasons why they are used in your Church. If they are not used in your church, explain why they are not in more detail. For both, quoting of scriptural passages and authorities from Church history is permitted.

Do you have or use Icons in your personal house or office?

What denomination do you hail from?

Iconoclasm is defined as the aversion, or dislike, to the use of Icons in the worship of the Church. What do you know of the origins and basis of this teaching, which is the common teaching of western churches?

Now we will move on to more challenging facts. Instead of asking questions relating to the topic itself, I will state a fact either of history, or of language (specifically the languages of the Bible), and then ask how you would respond to each of these, and whether it would effect your opinion on this, or if you would look more deeply into it. The rest of these questions are optional to the poll. If you answer yes to this question, I would appreciate your candor in answering the rest of the questions. Do you wish to continue this poll?

In both the Hebrew and Greek texts of the Second Commandment, the famous prohibition against Iconography which is cited as evidence against Icons by western theologians, the word translated as "graven images" (KJV) actually would be better translated in both languages as the word Idol. In the Greek Septuagint, which predates the Masoretic texts by 400 years, the Greek word "Eidolon" is used, and in the Masoretic hebrew, the word "Pesel" is used. Both Eidolon and Pesel mean in English, "Idol". Can there be a difference between an idol and an icon?

In the Orthodox Church, the term veneration is used many times to explain our relationship as Christians with the Icons of the Church. The term means: Regard with great respect; revere. Many Western theologians believe veneration to be the same as worship, whilst Orthodox and Roman Catholics will claim that there is a difference between Worship and Veneration. Where do you stand on this issue and why?

Several texts from the early church indicate that St. Luke, the physician and author of his gospel and the book of Acts, was also the first person to paint an Icon, specifically three of the Virgin Mary with Christ, as well as a few of Peter and Paul. If this were true, how would that effect your current stance?