THE HOLY INQUISITION IS INDEED HOLY PART 2

In the part 1 of the article, we have discussed numerous references proving the Biblical roots of the Inquisition and debunking the hoaxes about it.  Now, in this article, we are going to debunk the historical revisions and lies made by Protestants about the death toll of the Holy Inquisition, the other myths and legends regarding it and the Protestant version of Inquisition that also caused numerous casualties in the side of Catholics and Jews.

THE INQUISITION: SADISTIC OR NOT?

the emblem of Inquisition

The use of torture in the Inquisition was undeniably true but not an exaggerated fact in which according to Protestants, Inquisitors used various torture machines. In fact, the percentage of tortures used in the whole period of Inquisition was too small to define the whole Tribunal as a sadistic one. Pope Innocent IV issued the Ad extirpanda (Medieval Inquisition) which authorized the use of torture as a mean of interrogation and punishment but in a gentle way in which sadistic and bloody tortures were forbidden. It had been applied to the other Catholic version of Inquisition such as the one in Spain.

 Torture methods that resulted in bloodshed, births, mutilation or death were forbidden. Also, torture could be performed only once." 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_Inquisition

Therefore, the Inquisition did not violate human rights as it humanely tried heretics. Perhaps, the Inquisition is more humane compare to the torture being used by ordinary enforcement agencies in Middle East! The use of torture throughout the Inquisition only comprised about 2% of all cases like what historical researches stated:

“The Spanish inquisition, however, engaged in it far less often and with greater care than other courts.” 

Source:Peters, Edward, Inquisition, Dissent, Heterodoxy and the Medieval Inquisitional Office, pp. 92-93, University of California Press (1989), ISBN 0-520-06630-8.

“Torture was used in two percent of the cases, and in less than one percent of the cases was it used a second time, never more than that. The torture lasted up to 15 minutes….”Executions and torture remained rare.” 

Source:Madden, Thomas F., The Truth About the Spanish Inquisition, Crisis Magazine, September 2003

Stephen Haliczer stated at his book about Spanish Inquisition that inquisitors rarely used tortures as a mean of interrogation. They only used it due to the difficulty of producing the requisite of two witnesses to the same act.

“In practice, the Spanish Inquisition used forms of torture that were common to the entire judicial system and undoubtedly more careful than the secular courts applying it. Moreover, in spite of the considerable discretion given to judges in the 1561 instructions, the repetition of torture was extremely unusual…” 

Source:  Haliczer, Stephen, Inquisition and society in the kingdom of Valencia, 1478-1834, p. 79, University of California Press, 1990

The torture machines used by the inquisitors were rack, garrucha and toca. These were rarely used for it is invalid for the Tribunal to accept forced confessions. The popular myth says that Inquisitors used bloody torture machines like heretic fork, stocks, pear, branks, wheels, breast ripper, and iron maiden. These are all false accusations because basically, the Church has forbidden bloody tortures and tortures that might result to mutilation (see statements above). Henry Kamen affirmed that those stuffs are myths with no factual and historical root!

“Some "popular" accounts of the inquisition (those that describe scenes of uncontrolled sadistic torture) are not based in truth. Torture was only ever used to elicit information or a confession, not for punitive reasons.”
Source: Kamen, Henry, “Spanish Inquisition”, p. 189

Perhaps, experts say that torture machines, as what popular myth has told us, are all hoaxes and not based in truth. For example, the iron maiden which according to them has spikes that can bring heretics to extreme pain is completely a hoax and never existed in medieval times and even in the period of Inquisition.

“It is believed to be fictional, although examples have been created for display.” 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_maiden_(torture_device)

Iron maiden was just a misinterpretation of medieval “mantle of shame” that was made of tin and wood but without spikes.  Many historians ascertained those iron maidens together with other torture machines mentioned by popular myths are all products of imagination.

“ Johann Philipp Siebenkees created the history of it [iron maiden] as a hoax in 1793. According to Siebenkees'colportage, it was first used on August 14, 1515, to execute a coin forger.” 

Source:  Wolfgang Schild, Die Eiserne Jungfrau, 2002

Therefore, we can certainly agree that the Inquisition was not a sadistic tribunal, but rather, a humane one!

THE DEATH TOLL OF INQUISITION

Anti-Catholics always tell that the death toll during the Inquisition period is about 600,000 to 95,000,000 people. The last figure is a surprising one for it might kill the whole World Population during the medieval to New World period! It is ridiculous to say that Inquisition had killed in that huge number for it has no historical records at all.

The truth is that, historical accounts say that the death toll of Inquisition (from medieval to the end of Spanish inquisition) comprises only the 2% of the total of 150,000 cases. It does mean that the approximate no. of deaths is 3,000! Other historians say that in Spain alone (it has to be noted that it includes the other territories in Asia and America for it comprised the vast Spanish empire), between the period of 1530-1730, 1,250 persons were executed and it has to be noted that these were not only heretics but also sodomists, homosexuals, robbers, and criminals.

“William Monter estimates 1000 executions between 1530–1630 and 250 between 1630–1730.” 

Source: W. Monter, Frontiers of Heresy: The Spanish Inquisition from the Basque Lands to Sicily, Cambridge 2003, p. 53.

Between 1480 to 1530, Henry Kamen summed up the total casualties of about 2000 people. And if we are going to take the sum from 1480-1730, the total executions would be 3,250! The accurate range would be 3000 to 5000 and that figure was affirmed by the BBC documentary about Inquisition that was presented at the part 1 of this article. On the other hand, Italy, from the total of 75,000 cases, only 1250 resulted in a death sentence. That comprises the 1.7% of the total cases preserved by the Archived of Roman Inquisition.

"Out of 51,000-75,000 cases judged by Inquisition in Italy after 1542, around 1250 resulted in a death sentence." 

 Source: Andrea Del Col: L'Inquisizione in Italia. Milano: Oscar Mondadori, 2010, pp. 779-780. ISBN 978-88-04-53433-4.

In Malta, the inquisition was considered gentler for they considered  penance as the best punishment that can be inflicted against heretics.  (source:http://www.hmml.org/centers/malta/cathedral/aim.html)

On the other hand, the monarch-controlled Portuguese Inquisition only recorded 1808 executions during the period of 1540-1794 or 254 years.

From: Saraiva, António José; Salomon, Herman Prins; Sassoon, I. S. D. (2001) [First published in Portuguese in 1969]. The Marrano Factory: the Portuguese Inquisition and its New Christians 1536-1765. Brill. p. 102. ISBN 978-90-04-12080-8. Retrieved 2010-04-13.

It is proven in history that execution was rarely used by Inquisitors for they considered life, justice and humanity as the most important things.

Llorante proved the rare use of execution:

“Llorente cites an auto da fe of 1486 at Toledo, when seven hundred and fifty were condemned, but not one to capital punishment ; another of nine hundred, also without a death; another where three thousand three hundred were condemned, but only twenty seven suffered death.” 

 Source: Some Lies and Errors of History by the Rev. Reuben Parsons, D.D.; Notre Dame, Indiana: The Ave Maria; 7th edition; 1893; pp. 143-187.
 

Now, we might consider the death toll in Inquisition is in the range of 5,000 to 9,000 and this includes the Church-sponsored Roman Inquisition and medieval Inquisition and the monarch-sponsored Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition. 9,000 is far different compare to 95,000,000 at anti-Catholic version. It is so ridiculous to come up in that huge number for it is proven that the maximum occurrence of execution is only 2% and the total number of cases is only 150,000!

THE COUNTERPART OF HOLY INQUISITION: THE PROTESTANT VERSION OF INQUISITION

Catholics were not the only ones who used Inquisition to combat heresy but also Protestants who used it to combat Catholics, Jews and the other Protestants and heretics. Perhaps, there is an historical account that the death toll during Protestant Inquisition is far bigger compare to the statistics we have shown above.

Ulrich Zwingli ordered the burning of Catholic monasteries and cathedrals:

"Their progress was marked by the destruction of churches and the burning of monasteries. The bishops of Constance, Basle, Lausanne and Geneva were forced to abandon their sees."
 From: Werke, Weimar, v.15, p.276 / Belfort Bax, The Peasants' War in Germany, London: 1899, p.352.

John Knox forbade the use of Mass particularly attending it:

"It was . . . forbidden to say Mass or to be present at Mass, with the punishment for a first offence of loss of all goods and a flogging; for the second offence, banishment; for the third, death." 

 From: Zwingli's Works, v.7, pp.174-84.

Luther ordered to persecute Catholic clergy:

"If I had all the Franciscan friars in one house, I would set fire to it . . . To the fire with them!"” 

 Source: Bretschneider, ed., Corpus Reformation, Halle: 1846, 2, pp.17 ff. / February, 1530.

Ulrich Zwingli urged death against other Protestant teaching other than his doctrines:

"Young Bible students he once mentored were now advocating more radical reform . . . refusing to have their babies baptized, citing his own earlier ideas . . . In January, 1525, Zwingli agreed that they deserved capital punishment . . . for tearing the fabric of a seamless Christian society." 

 From: Ruth, John L., "America's Anabaptists: Who They Are," Christianity Today, October 22, 1990, p.26

The quotes above are from: http://www.theapricity.com/forum/showthread.php?8553-The-Protestant-Inquisition-quot-Reformation-quot

Luther even tried to suppress Catholicism through urging the governments who swore allegiance to him to wage war against Catholics:

" If the fury of the Romanists goes on in this way, it seems to me that no remedy is available, unless the Emperor, the Kings, and Princes should put on full strength to wage war against these pests of the whole world, and decide the question, no longer with words, but with the sword Why do we not wash our hands in their[Catholic] blood?''
 Source: p.36, "LUTHER'S OWN STATEMENTS CONCERNING HIS TEACHINGS AND ITS RESULTS", O' Connor, Henry S.J., 1884, Benzinger Brothers, 3rd American Edition

Luther also tried to suppress other Protestant teachers who were against him:

"Whoever teaches differently from what I have taught herein, or condemns me for it he condemns God and must be a child of Hell."  

Source: Ibid. p.40

It was not only the Catholic Church who became victims of this persecution but also our fellow Jews who according to Luther were devilish. Catholic church did not persecute Jews but these Protestants did!

" First, their synagogues or schools are to be set on fire, and whatever will not burn, is to be covered and heaped over with earth, so that never again shall one find stone or cinder of them left. And this is to be done in order to honour our Lord and Christianity, so that God may see that we are Christians..."

"Secondly, their houses are likewise to be broken down and destroyed, for they do exactly the same in them as they also do in their schools."

" Thirdly, all their Prayer Books and Talmuds are to be taken away from them, in which such idolatry, lies, curses, and blasphemies are taught."

" Fourthly, their Rabbis (Priests) are to be forbidden, under pain of capital punishment, to teach any more "

"Fifthly, the Jews are to be entirely denied legal protection when using the roads in the country (Das man den Juden das Geleid vnd Strasse aufifhebe), for they have no business to be in the country”

source: Ibid. p.34-35

The Protestant schismatic Anglican Church in England , on the other hand, persecuted the Catholic Church that led to the execution of 72,000 Catholics in the kingdom. King Henry VIII ordered these executions that brought St. Thomas More to martyrdom. Moreover, he also ordered the destruction of Catholic relics including the incorruptible bodies of the saints.

It continued to Queen Elizabeth I who had executed her sister Queen Mary of Scots. To unify her kingdom, she even tried to suppress Catholicism in Ireland and Scotland.

Oliver Cromwell who is responsible in English civil war also persecuted Catholics through beheading King Charles I, a Catholic king. He is also responsible from beheading of thousands of Cavaliers (alliance of King Charles I) and the oppression of Irish Catholics through his contemporaries William, the Orange and his wife.

The persecution continued even after the World War one and World War Two that led to the migration of Irish. How many Catholics died in the hands of their Protestant and Anglican persecutors? Not only the Catholics, but also innocent women were killed by Protestants just because of their fanaticism and their beliefs in witches in which for the Catholic Church is unreasonable to believe with!

 “To justify the killings, Protestant Christianity and its proxy secular institutions deemed witchcraft as being associated to wild Satanic ritual parties in which there was much naked dancing, and cannibalistic infanticide.” 

 Source: The Dark Side of Christian History by Helen Ellerbe.

Christian IV, a Protestant King of Denmark had thousands killed because of his witch-hunt. 30,000 were killed because of witchery in Britain alone and over 100,000 in Protestant Germany! This is far different compare to 9,000 total deaths in Holy Inquisition! 72,000 deaths is far worse compare to Spanish-sponsored Inquisition!

This only means that these alleged oppressed people also persecuted us in a worse way than we did to them!

CONCLUSION:

WE CAN CERTAINLY CONCLUDE THAT

•           THE DEATH TOLL IN THE INQUISITION PERIOD HAS A VERY SMALL FIGURE COMPARE TO THE NUMBER OF CATHOLICS PERSECUTED BY THE PROTESTANTS
•            THE INQUISITION WAS INDEED A HUMANE TRIBUNAL FOR IT NEVER USED ANY BLOODY TORTURE MACHINES
•          THE PROTESTANT INQUISITION IS WORSE THAN CATHOLIC INQUISITION
•           THE CATHOLIC INQUISITION IS THE MOST HUMANE COURT IN EUROPE:

 "Amazingly, before 1530 the Spanish Inquisition was widely hailed as the best run, most humane court in Europe." SOURCE: http://old.nationalreview.com/comment/madden200406181026.

CRISTIANONG WALANG RELIHIYON?

MATTHEW 16:17-19 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (KJV)

Palaging pinipilit ng mga BA at ng mga kakampi nilang Baptists ang doktrina nilang “NO RELIGION CAN SAVE YOU” (NRCSY). Ano nga ba ang sinasabi ng Biblia ukol dito.

Sinabi ni PANGINOONG JESUS sa Juan 14:6;

Juan 14:6Sumagot si Jesus, “Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makakapunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko. (MBB)

Nasaan ba ang katotohanan? Ito ba’y nasa kahit saan?

Tingnan natin ang sulat ni SAN PABLO sa 1 Timoteo 4:16,

1 TIMOTEO 3:15-16(MBB)upang kung hindi man ako makarating agad ay malaman mo kung ano ang dapat na maging ugali ng mga taong kabilang sa sambahayan ng Diyos na buháy, sa iglesya na haligi at saligan ng katotohanan. 

Hindi maikakaila na napakadakila ng HIWAGA NG ATING RELIHIYON: Siya’y nahayag nang maging tao, pinatunayang matuwid ng Espiritu, at nakita ng mga anghel. Ipinangaral sa mga Hentil, pinaniwalaan ng lahat, at itinaas sa kalangitan.
 

Sa sinabi ni San Pablo, malinaw na ipinapahayag na ang katotohanang binabanggit dito ay si Jesus na Sya naming pinapangaral ng Relihiyon. Ibig sabihin, ang katotohanan ay ipinapahayag ng Relihiyon sapagkat ang katotohanan ay nasa loob ng Relihiyon.

SAAN NAMAN KAYA NILA NAKITA ANG NRCSY?

Magbasa pa nga tayo ng mga talata sa Biblia!

Sinabi ni PANGINOONG JESUS sa Juan 10:9

Juan 10:9Ako nga ang pintuan. Ang sinumang pumapasok sa pamamagitan ko’y maliligtas. 

Kailangan palang PUMASOK muna. Pagpasok ba naman kaya ang ginagawa nila sa pagtanggap lamang kay JESUS? Hindi iyon sapat sapagkat kailangang PUMASOK! Hindi lamang nahihinto sa pagtanggap kay JESUS bilang Personal na Tagapagligtas ang pananampalataya kundi ang pagpasok mismo kay JESUS!

SAAN NAMAN NGAYON MAPAPABILANG ANG PUMASOK KAY JESUS?

basahin natin ang Juan 10:16;

Juan 10:16Mayroon akong iba pang mga tupa na wala pa sa kulungang ito. Kinakailangang sila’yipasok ko rin at papakinggan naman nila ang aking tinig. Sa gayon, magiging ISA NA LAMANG KAWAN AT ISA ANG PASTOL.

 Sa pagpasok kay Cristo, nangangahulugan din pala itong pagpasok sa isang KAWAN. Ano nga ba ang KAWANG ITO?

basahin natin sa Gawa 20:28;

Ingatan ninyo ang inyong sarili at ang buong kawan, sapagkat sila’y inilagay ng Espiritu Santo sa inyong pag-iingat. Pangalagaan ninyo ang iglesya ng Diyos Panginoon. na kanyang tinubos sa pamamagitan ng dugo ng kanyang Anak. 

Kitam? Sinabi “sa kawan” at hindi “sa mga kawan”. Nangangahulugan na iisa lamang ang kawan, ang IGLESIA! Papaanong mapapaliwanag ng mga Baptists ang napakaraming Baptist churches na hindi nagkakasundo?

Hindi agad sila qualified dahil napakaraming kawan ang naitatag nila gayong ang Simbahan na Totoo ay dapat iisa. Isang sekta nga lang ang pinapangaral ni San Pablo e.

GAWA 24:5(MBB)Natuklasan naming ang taong ito’y nanggugulo. Ginugulo niya ang mga Judio saan man siya magpunta, at siya’y isang pasimuno ng sekta ng mga Nazareno.

Si San Pablo ay hinuli dahil sa syang pasimuno ng sekta ng NAZARENO, ang Iglesya, samakatuwid ang Relihiyon! Nangangahulugang si San Pablo mismo ay nagpapakilala ng isang sekta, isang relihiyon.

GAWA 24:14
Nguni't ito ang ipinahahayag ko sa iyo, na ayon sa Daan na kanilang tinatawag na sekta, ay gayon ang paglilingkod ko sa Dios ng aming mga magulang, na sinasampalatayanan ang lahat ng mga bagay na alinsunod sa kautusan, at nangasusulat sa mga propeta; (ADB)

Sa isang translation sa Mabuting Balita

Gawa 24:14
“Tinatanggap kop o na ang pagsamba ko sa Diyos ng aming mga ninuno ay ayon sa Daan na ipinapalagay nilang maling sekta.”

Ano nga ba ulit ang Daang ito?

Juan 14:6Sumagot si Jesus, “Ako ang daan, ang katotohanan, at ang buhay. Walang makakapunta sa Ama kundi sa pamamagitan ko. (MBB)

Si JESUS ang DAAN! Ibig sabihin, ang pananampalataya mismo kay JESUS ay isang SEKTA, isang RELIHIYON! Isang RELIHIYON ng mga CRISTIANO. Isang IGLESIA lamang ang manatili na Syang totoo at tunay na kinasihan ng DIYOS.

So, papaano ngayon mapapaliwanag ng mga NON- SECTARIANS na Born Again ang “NRCSY”? papaanong mapapatunayan na mahal nila ang Diyos kung tinatanggi nila ang existence ng tunay na religion? Wew naman! Ang dami naming mali sa pananamplataya nila. Mahal daw nila ang Panginoong Jesu- Cristo sa pamamagitan ng personal relationship pero ayaw nilang tanggapin ang Sekta ng Nazareno! Patawa naman talaga masyado ang mga non- sectarians na ito!

EFESO 1:22-23,

 Ipinailalim ng Diyos sa paa ni Cristo ang lahat ng bagay, at ginawa siyang ulo ng lahat ng bagay para sa iglesya.  Ang iglesya ang katawan at kapuspusan ni Cristo, na siya namang pumupuno sa lahat ng bagay.

Ang kulit naman masyado ng mga non- sectarians na ito! Hindi pala kumpleto ang kanilang pananampalataya. Mahal daw nila ang Panginoong Jesu- Cristo gayong AYAW NILA NG KATAWAN NYA NA SYANG NAG- IISANG IGLESYANG INALAYAN NYA ng KANYANG SARILING DUGO! Gusto lang nila ang ULO, AYAW NILA NG KATAWAN. MASYADONG INComplete.

Ang sabi pa nila, kahit sino raw pwedeng maligtas basta’t kilalanin mo lang si JESUS bilang PERSONAL NA TAGAPAGLIGTAS. Kahit ano raw ang relihiyon mo maliligtas ka basta tanggapin lang daw si Jesus. INComplete talaga e.

EFESO 4:4May iisang katawan at iisang Espiritu, tulad ng may iisang pag-asa nang kayo’y tawagin ng Diyos.
 

E papanung kahit ano raw na relihiyon ay maliligtas, e nag- iisa nga lang ang katawan. Wew! Papaanong maliligtas ang nasa ibang relihiyon e ang tanging katawan na tinutukoy sa Biblia ay nag- iisa lang?! maliligtas kaya ang mga non- sectarians na hindi kabilang at hindi tinatanggap ang existence ng TOTOONG RELIHIYON?

EFESO 5:23Sapagkat ang lalaki ang ulo ng kanyang asawa, tulad ni Cristo na siyang ulo ng iglesya, na kanyang katawan, at siyang Tagapagligtas nito.

Nakalagay, “na KANYANG KATAWAN”. Ibig sabihin, IISA LANG ANG KATAWAN NA ILILIGTAS NYA! IISA LANG NA IGLESIA ANG KANYANG ILILIGTAS. ILILIGTAS NYA ANG NAG- IISANG SEKTA. ANG SEKTANG NAZARENO, ANG TUNAY NA IGLESIA NG DIOS!

So ano ang mangyayari sa mga non- sectarians na hindi kumikilala sa sektang itinatag ni JESUS ayon sa

MATEO 16:18At sinasabi ko sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking iglesya at ang pintuan ng daigdig ng mga patay ay hindi magtatagumpay laban sa kanya.

Malay ko kung papaano ang salvation nila. Ganito ang sabi ng Biblia e.

1 CORINTO 5:12Kung sabagay, wala akong karapatang humatol sa mga hindi Cristiano; ang Diyos ang hahatol sa kanila. Hindi ba’t ang mga nasa loob ng iglesya ang dapat ninyong hatulan? Sabi nga sa kasulatan, “Itiwalag ninyo sa inyong samahan ang masamang tao.”
 

Basta ang DALISAY NA RELIHIYON AY NASA BIBLIA

Basahin ang Santiago 1:27:Ang dalisay na relihion at walang dungis sa harapan ng ating Dios at Ama ay ito, dalawin ang mga ulila at mga babaing bao sa kanilang kapighatian, at pagingatang walang dungis ang kaniyang sarili sa sanglibutan. (ADB)

Remember the etymological meaning of religion:

"state of life bound by monastic vows," also "conduct indicating a belief in a divine power," from Anglo-Fr. religiun (11c.), from O.Fr. religion "religious community," from L. religionem (nom. religio) "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods," in L.L. "monastic life" (5c.); according to Cicero, derived from relegere "go through again, read again," from re- "again" + legere"read" (see lecture). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (and many modern writers) connects it with religare"to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." Another possible origin isreligiens "careful," opposite of negligens. Meaning "particular system of faith" is recorded from c.1300.

To hold, therefore, that there is no difference in matters of religion between forms that are unlike each other, and even contrary to each other, most clearly leads in the end to the rejection of all religion in both theory and practice. And this is the same thing as atheism, however it may differ from it in name. [Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885]

Modern sense of "recognition of, obedience to, and worship of a higher, unseen power" is from 1530s.

Source: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=religion

Nakalagay, ito ay nanggaling sa Latin word na religare na nangangahulugang idugtong at ikabit muli ang naputol na relasyon sa Dios.

Papaanong makapapanampalataya ang isang mananampalataya hangga’t hindi nakakabit muli ang relasyon nito sa PANGINOON? Kaylangan ng Relihiyon dahil ito mismo ang mainam na sangkap para sa isang relasyon ng isang Cristiano sa Dios.

Debunking the False Notion of Idolatry in the Catholic Church

This would be the fourth installment of our Q&A series to prove the catholicity of the Sacred Scripture by examining the purported anti-catholic passages on it.

The question now is about the sacred images used by Catholics on our church buildings as well as in our homes, offices, etc.

If the Bible is a Catholic book...  

Why does it condemn the making and adoration of images? (Ex. 20:4-5).

MY REPLY: Again, to set facts straight, we do not adore images. Adoration is for God, the most holy Trinity, alone. Please watch carefully on the terms you are using.

Going back to the topic, as usual, anti-Catholics are fond of accusing us of idolatry using these verses:

Exodus 20:4-5 NRSVCE 

You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me,

By distorting these passages as well as other Old Testament accounts detailing idols (Deut. 5:7-9; Lev. 19:4; Is. 44:9-11 among others), they do not hesitate to conclude that Catholics who have statues of the Lord, his Saints and Angels, are guilty of idolatry. "All images are idols" becomes their general proposition. Much more than that, they proudly proclaim that mere possession of images is a perfect sign of disobedience to God's commandment against idols.

For the record, the Church condemns any form of Idolatry...

There are a great many kinds of sins. Scripture provides several lists of them. The Letter to the Galatians contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit: "Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, IDOLATRY, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God." 

The divine injunction included the prohibition of every representation of God by the hand of man. Deuteronomy explains: "Since you saw no form on the day that the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, beware lest you act corruptly by making a graven image for yourselves, in the form of any figure. . . . " It is the absolutely transcendent God who revealed himself to Israel. "He is the all," but at the same time "he is greater than all his works." He is "the author of beauty."

CCC #1852, 2129 (emphasis added)

Anti-catholics fail to understand God's position regarding images on the entirety of the Holy Bible because they often read God's "commandment not to make" but not His "commandment to make"

Kindly compare these passages (I'll use their favorite bible version; KJV):

*God's commandment not to make...

Exodus 20:4 KJV 

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

*God's commandment to make...

Numbers 21:8-9 KJV 

And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Take a second closer look... God commanded not to make ANY graven images but he also ordered Moses to make an image of a serpent.

Common anti-catholic propaganda against sacred images

Now, is it a contradiction? Certainly NOT! If we were to believe that all images are prohibited by God, we would definitely face a serious dichotomy here--a quagmire which would nullify the attribute of God being the ultimate source of truth. But we all know that He will never fool his people nor lie to them. It's just that we need to consider a bigger picture of the events so as to comprehend the idea behind.

God himself ordered his people to put sacred images...

...on His temple / sanctuary

ANGELS / CHERUBIMS 

1 Kings 6:23-28 NRSVCE 

In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high. Five cubits was the length of one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the length of the other wing of the cherub; it was ten cubits from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. The other cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same measure and the same form. The height of one cherub was ten cubits, and so was that of the other cherub. He put the cherubim in the innermost part of the house; the wings of the cherubim were spread out so that a wing of one was touching the one wall, and a wing of the other cherub was touching the other wall; their other wings toward the center of the house were touching wing to wing. He also overlaid the cherubim with gold. 

2 Chronicles 3:10-13 NRSVCE 

In the most holy place he made two carved cherubim and overlaid them with gold. The wings of the cherubim together extended twenty cubits: one wing of the one, five cubits long, touched the wall of the house, and its other wing, five cubits long, touched the wing of the other cherub; and of this cherub, one wing, five cubits long, touched the wall of the house, and the other wing, also five cubits long, was joined to the wing of the first cherub. The wings of these cherubim extended twenty cubits; the cherubim stood on their feet, facing the nave. 

Exodus 26:1 NRSVCE 

Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen, and blue, purple, and crimson yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. 

Exodus 26:31 NRSVCE 

You shall make a curtain of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and of fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.

FLOWERS AND FRUITS ON THE LAMPSTAND 

Exodus 25:33-36 NRSVCE 

three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with calyx and petals, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. On the lampstand itself there shall be four cups shaped like almond blossoms, each with its calyxes and petals. There shall be a calyx of one piece with it under the first pair of branches, a calyx of one piece with it under the next pair of branches, and a calyx of one piece with it under the last pair of branches—so for the six branches that go out of the lampstand. Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it one hammered piece of pure gold. 

SIGNET-LIKE ENGRAVINGS 

Exodus 39:14 NRSVCE 

There were twelve stones with names corresponding to the names of the sons of Israel; they were like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes. 

CEDAR GOURDS AND OPEN FLOWER 

1 Kings 6:18 NRSVCE 

The cedar within the house had carvings of gourds and open flowers; all was cedar, no stone was seen. 

CARVED CHERUBIMS, PALM TREES AND FLOWERS 

1 Kings 6:29 NRSVCE 

He carved the walls of the house all around about with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, in the inner and outer rooms. 

1 Kings 6:32 NRSVCE

He covered the two doors of olivewood with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers; he overlaid them with gold, and spread gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees. 

1 Kings 7:18-20 NRSVCE

He made the columns with two rows around each latticework to cover the capitals that were above the pomegranates; he did the same with the other capital. Now the capitals that were on the tops of the pillars in the vestibule were of lily-work, four cubits high. The capitals were on the two pillars and also above the rounded projection that was beside the latticework; there were two hundred pomegranates in rows all around; and so with the other capital. 

1 Kings 7:22 NRSVCE 

On the tops of the pillars was lily-work. Thus the work of the pillars was finished. 

12 OXEN / BULLS 

1 Kings 7:25 NRSVCE 

It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east; the sea was set on them. The hindquarters of each were toward the inside. 

ENGRAVED LILIES ON THE WATER BASIN 

1 Kings 7:26 NRSVCE

Its thickness was a handbreadth; its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily; it held two thousand baths. 

IMAGES OF LIONS, OXENS AND CHERUBIMS 

1 Kings 7:29 NRSVCE 

on the borders that were set in the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the frames, both above and below the lions and oxen, there were wreaths of beveled work. 

IMAGES OF 4 BRAZEN WHEELS AND AXLES 

1 Kings 7:30 NRSVCE 

Each stand had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze; at the four corners were supports for a basin. The supports were cast with wreaths at the side of each. 

IMAGES OF TREES AND CHAINS ON THE CEILING OF THE TEMPLE 

2 Chronicles 3:5 NRSVCE 

The nave he lined with cypress, covered it with fine gold, and made palms and chains on it. 

CARVED IMAGES ALL OVER THE TEMPLE 

Ezekiel 41:18-20 NRSVCE
It was formed of cherubim and palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub. Each cherub had two faces: a human face turned toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion turned toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple all around; from the floor to the area above the door, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall.

...on the garments of His priests

PROMEGRANATE FRUITS, BELLS AND CHAINS ON THE CLERICAL VESTMENTS 

Exodus 28:33-34 NRSVCE 

On its lower hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, all around the lower hem, with bells of gold between them all around—a golden bell and a pomegranate alternating all around the lower hem of the robe. 

Exodus 39: 15 NRSVCE 

They made on the breastpiece chains of pure gold, twisted like cords;

...on the Ark of the Covenant

Exodus 25:10-22 NRSVCE 

They shall make an ark of acacia wood; it shall be two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside you shall overlay it, and you shall make a molding of gold upon it all around. You shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side. You shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, by which to carry the ark. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. You shall put into the ark the covenant that I shall give you. 

Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its width. You shall make two cherubim of gold; you shall make them of hammered work, at the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other; of one piece with the mercy seat you shall make the cherubim at its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. They shall face one to another; the faces of the cherubim shall be turned toward the mercy seat. You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark; and in the ark you shall put the covenant that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant, I will deliver to you all my commands for the Israelites.

...to heal the sick

Numbers 21:8-9 NRSVCE 

And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

Clearly, the prohibition to make images is not absolute at all. It extends only to those images used as object of worship (e.g. idols) but not to those used properly in the service of the one true God. And this is also the reason why God eventually banned the said bronze serpent when Israelites worshipped it as a god (cf. 2 Kings 18:4)

1 Corinthians 8:4 RSV
Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”

Lord Jesus, his Saints and Angels are proven to have real existence (unless you doubt it) therefore they cannot be called as idols. On the other hand, Zeus, Athena, Hermes, Vishnu, Shiva et al have no real existence at all. Besides, not all so-called idols are tangible, there are also intangible / abstract idols...

REBELLION AS IDOLATRY 

1 Samuel 15:23 NRSVCE 

For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.” 

FORNIFICATION AS IDOLATRY 

Wisdom 14:12 NRSVCE 

For the idea of making idols was the beginning of fornication, and the invention of them was the corruption of life; 

GREED AS IDOLATRY 

Colossians 3:5 NRSVCE 

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).

Considering the presented passages above, the Bible clearly leans on the belief of the Church regarding the sacred and profane images. Profane images (of idols) are prohibited but not the sacred ones.

Meanwhile, the Church generally defines IDOLATRY as "a perversion of man’s innate religious sense" (CCC 2114) while "an idolater is someone who ‘transfers his indestructible notion of God to anything other than God" (Ibid.).

Finally, She gives us further understanding on the commandment against other gods...

What does God prohibit by his command, “You shall not have other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2)? 

This commandment forbids: 

Polytheism and idolatry, which divinizes creatures, power, money, or even demons. 

Superstition which is a departure from the worship due to the true God and which also expresses itself in various forms of divination, magic, sorcery and spiritism. 

Irreligion which is evidenced: in tempting God by word or deed; in sacrilege, which profanes sacred persons or sacred things, above all the Eucharist; and in simony, which involves the buying or selling of spiritual things. 

Atheism which rejects the existence of God, founded often on a false conception of human autonomy. 

Agnosticism which affirms that nothing can be known about God, and involves indifferentism and practical atheism.

#445, Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

...and the correct understanding of the issue on "graven images"

Does the commandment of God, “You shall not make for yourself a graven image” (Exodus 20:3), forbid the cult of images?

In the Old Testament this commandment forbade any representation of God who is absolutely transcendent. The Christian veneration of sacred images, however, is justified by the incarnation of the Son of God (as taught by the Second Council of Nicea in 787AD) because such veneration is founded on the mystery of the Son of God made man, in whom the transcendent God is made visible. This does not mean the adoration of an image, but rather the veneration of the one who is represented in it: for example, Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and the Saints. 

#446, Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

CONCLUSION: The Bible allows the making of images provided that they are not used as objects of worship [e.g.idolatry] as the Church teaches, ergo it is a Catholic book!  :)