Word: idolatry (noun)

Associations

Idolatry means the act of worshiping idols or giving too much admiration or love to something or someone, almost like treating them as a god.

• In religious contexts, idolatry is when people worship statues or images instead of a deity.
• In everyday language, someone might say "idolatry of celebrities" to mean people admire celebrities too much.
• It can also mean extreme devotion to things like money, power, or fame.

Synonym: worship.
Difference: Worship is a general term for showing respect or love to a god or someone important, but idolatry specifically means worshiping something that is not actually a god or giving it too much importance.

Substitution

Instead of "idolatry," you can say:

• worship (more general, often religious)
• adoration (strong love or respect)
• obsession (too much focus on something, often negative)
• devotion (strong love or loyalty)

Each word changes the meaning slightly. For example, "obsession" sounds more negative and personal, while "devotion" can be positive.

Deconstruction

"idolatry" comes from:

• "idol" – a statue or image that is worshiped
• "-latry" – from Greek "latreia," meaning worship or service

So, idolatry literally means "worship of idols."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when people admired something or someone too much? Was it a positive or negative thing?
• How do you think idolatry might be viewed differently in various religions or cultures?
• Have you ever heard about idolatry in stories or history? How was it described?