Idiotatry - Is There a God?

Catholic views on the use of images developed as the use of Christian images became more widespread. The essential element, don't worship a statue thinking it's a deity, was retained. But people recognized that some things that were outwardly similar to idolatry are not actually idolatry. Some in the Protestant community may not like this distinction and that's understandable because it's at odds with their preferred position regarding icon veneration.