Church and State magazine (2/85...
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"Church and State" magazine (2/85) told the story of a woman who, on grounds of religious conscience, refused to have her photograph taken for her driver's license. The state refused to give her a license without the picture. She brought the matter to the Supreme Court. Her argument was that photographs were a violation of the Second Commandment. She regarded all pictures as graven images!
Personally, I think she is carrying the Second Commandment a little too far. The Commandment prohibits worshipping false "gods" or idols. Photographs for identification purposes do not seem to have anything to do with idolatry. Although, to be sure, a few people may worship at the shrine of their own likeness! That is the exception.
The Revelation of John enunciates the important principle in a positive way. He ascribed worth to or worshiped the Lamb on the throne --"Worthy is the Lamb." To him be "blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever." And, he added, "the elders fell down and worshiped." Pictures are not wrong. Just as long as we worship the one true God and do not worship any false idol or graven image. God, alone, deserves our loyalty, praise, and devotion.
Personally, I think she is carrying the Second Commandment a little too far. The Commandment prohibits worshipping false "gods" or idols. Photographs for identification purposes do not seem to have anything to do with idolatry. Although, to be sure, a few people may worship at the shrine of their own likeness! That is the exception.
The Revelation of John enunciates the important principle in a positive way. He ascribed worth to or worshiped the Lamb on the throne --"Worthy is the Lamb." To him be "blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever." And, he added, "the elders fell down and worshiped." Pictures are not wrong. Just as long as we worship the one true God and do not worship any false idol or graven image. God, alone, deserves our loyalty, praise, and devotion.
