Bismillah:
Quote:Regarding <b>statues and photos</b>, they are only representative models. <b>You can worship them assuming that they are God</b>.
It is you who say that WE CAN WORSHIP IDOLS... but God said NO..., and here are some references from your own scriptures.
It is mentioned in <b>Yajurved, Chapter 40, Verse 9</b> <i>"Andhatma pravishanti ye asambhuti mupaste"</i>, <b>"They enter darkness, those who worship natural things"</b>
For e.g. air, water, fire etc.
It further continues and says, <b>"They sink deeper in darkness those who worship Sambhuti</b>
i.e. <b>created things"</b>, For example <b>table, chair, idol </b> etc.
<b>Bhagavat Gita 7-24</b>: <b> "The ignorant believe that un-manifest Para Brahma (One God) incarnates or takes manifestations, because they do not completely understand My highest, immutable, incomparable, and transcendental existence." </b>
<b>Bhagavat Gita 7:19-21</b>: <b>"All those who do idol worship</b>, <b>All those who worship demigods are materialistic people."</b>
<b>Yajur Veda 3:32:</b> <b>"...Of that God you cannot make any images." </b>
Salam
Wael