Idolatry
/ˈaɪdəˌlɑːtri/
nounC2
Definition
Idolatry is when people give too much respect or love to a thing or person, treating it like a god or something very special that should be worshiped. It often means putting something above what is right or more important, like worshiping statues or false gods instead of real spiritual beliefs.
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See It in Action
Religious worship of idols or images as gods
- •Some cultures have been accused of idolatry for worshiping statues.
- •The ancient temple was destroyed because it was a place of idolatry.
- •Idolatry is forbidden in many religions because it means worshiping false gods.
Extreme admiration or love for something or someone
- •Fans showed idolatry toward the famous singer, treating her like a goddess.
- •His idolatry of money made him ignore his family and friends.
- •The novel explores the dangers of idolatry in modern society.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "idolatry" like "love" (A1 word), but taken to a very strong and wrong level where you treat someone or something like a god.
- ✓Picture a person bowing deeply before a statue, acting like the statue is a real god who can help them.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone cares about something so much that they forget everything else, like being too focused on a celebrity or object.
- ✓Sounds like "idol-AT-ry" → imagine someone holding a shining "idol" (a small statue) very carefully and respectfully, almost like praying to it.
- ✓Think of stories where people worship false gods or objects, like in old myths or religious stories that warn against idolatry.
- ✓NOT like "admire" (which means to like or respect someone in a normal way) — idolatry is extreme and often wrong worship.
- ✓NOT like "respect" (which is fair and balanced) — idolatry means putting something above all else, sometimes ignoring what is true or good.
- ✓NOT like "worship" in a healthy religious sense — idolatry is worshiping the wrong things or too much in a wrong way.
Try Other Words
- •Worship: respect or honor given to a god or sacred thing (Use when the respect is healthy and religious)
- •Adoration: deep love and respect (Use when focusing on strong positive feelings without religious meaning)
- •Obsession: very strong and often unhealthy interest or love (Use when idolatry is about unhealthy focus on a person or thing)
- •Reverence: deep respect and awe (Use when respect is serious but not necessarily wrong or extreme)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "idol" + suffix "-atry" (a form related to practice or worship)
- •Etymology: From Latin "idololatria," from Greek "eidōlolatría," meaning worship of idols (images or statues)
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe the worship of physical idols or statues in ancient religions
- •Modern usage: Used both for religious worship of false gods and for strong, sometimes wrong, admiration of people or things
- •Key insight: The word always involves giving too much importance or respect to something, often in a religious or moral sense
Reflect & Connect
•Can admiration for a person or thing become idolatry? How can you tell the difference?
•How does the idea of idolatry help us think about what is truly important in life?
Fill in the blanks
1.Idolatry often happens when people ___ statues or objects as gods instead of real spiritual beliefs.
2.When someone shows idolatry, they usually have an ___ love or respect that can ignore other important things.
3.Unlike normal worship, idolatry is considered ___ because it honors false gods or things wrongly.
4.In stories, idolatry can cause problems because it leads people to ___ the wrong things.
5.Fans can show idolatry ___ their favorite celebrities, treating them like perfect beings.
6.Idolatry is different from simple respect because it puts something ___ all else.
7.When a culture is accused of idolatry, it means they ___ something more than they should, often in a religious way.