You misinterpreted my meaning and the reason for my questions. I find nothing wrong with symbolism and use it myself. I find it wrong or amiss when the symbol becomes as holy as what it symbolizes.
OK....let's take The Lord's Supper/Communion/The Eucharist.
Some Christians regard bread/wafers as merely "symbolic"; others don't -- and not only Catholics.
Some of the key Protestant reformers discussed Christ's "real presence" as being the "Living Bread" who came down from heaven (see John 6).
Most Christians would regard these wafers -- and wine/grape juice -- as "holy"...whether they see these elements as "symbolic" or not. Would you castigate them as well?