Re: Catholicism - a few questions. (Honest! No cheaps shots or nothing.)

>> "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" Many theologians and scripture scholars believe that the original commandment consisted only of the opening nine-word phrase. The rest (your Exodus quote) was added later to expand the number of prohibitions.<<

Who exactly believes it was a later addition, and when do they claim it was done? Also, the original Hebrew meaning had to do with making an image or statue for the expressed purpose of worshiping it. Ordinary pictures and statues are not made for that purpose.

But the icons and statues of the RCC are a different story. Any historical sources I've read agree that the statues were originally those of pagan deities, who were given new names by Constantine after Biblical apostles. As I've seen many Catholics today do, these icons are venerated and bowed to. This is worship.

Praying to a "saint" for protection, healing, etc. is not the same as "asking a friend to pray for you", since I would never say to a friend, "Heal me, protect me, save my soul".

I know you didn't say all that in your post, but these topics are part of the package.