What does point of view have to do with anything we’re speaking of....either one believes and obeys what God says or not.....God’s Word is very clear and precise that none of His are to bow down, pray to or worship any idol made by men....
Jesus answered,... “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father ‘except through me’. John 14:6
Catholics believe just as you do that we should believe and obey what God says.....HOWEVER, you then run on and speak of bowing down to, praying to, and worshiping idols. Then Elsie or some one else shows people who they assume are doing just that....they aren't, they are being reminded of who the people that they are HONORING are, or at least what we think they might have looked like. If I pray in front of a statue of Mary, I'm not praying to the statue. I bought the statue at Home Depot this morning and I made a little area in my garden to place the statue and I am saying a prayer THROUGH the person whom the statue represents... You may not believe in praying through another person, that I understand, but don't accuse me of praying TO a concrete form that I bought for $69.95 (on sale)...didn't happen