I personally don't own any statues. And have never prayed to one. I always thought that they would give people misunderstandings about the doctrine... that's why i always inquired about it.... Its really a result of the human tradition or ritual of honoring important people with statues... you know... like the manger underneath a Christmas tree...
People have an attachment to statues... like the statue of liberty, for instance..
statues can stands for something. an idea. sometimes..
The churches i frequent have many statues... and they look pretty cool. I used to picture them doing battle with the devil... lol
Something to think about while bored in church..
They might as well liven it up a bit... I honestly don't see any more blasphemy here than with any other sort of religion.... Everybody has there own things that get misinterpreted by other people, even people within the same faith.. lol
It's just crazy altogether. I think this is a good topic, maybe better if it were focused on the history of statues or 'Idols' in Religion. And their purpose, or 'intended purpose'
I'm sure there are other Religions out there that use symbols or statues.
Any Roman Catholic will tell you that the statues are symbols, much like anything else you'll find in the Church.. Candles, Stained Glass, Fish perhaps... It's all there in the history..
Much of it comes from persecution... Now it's celebration.. People have tried to build Churches that would reach God... Now we make them beautiful for God to see...
That's my take on it.. I have prayed to particular Saints for inspiration and courage.... but not to the statue of him/her.. lol