The thread opens with: "The reason for this article is to determine.....", yet there is no link to any article. This is a vanity post with only one objective, to attack Catholics. It is replete with a total misunderstanding of the term "worship"; hence the ignorant attack.
Catholics sure have problems with Free Speech on Free Republic. There have been at least three calls to have this discussion pulled. Amazing.
In the OT passages you cite the authors did use the word in different contexts. When dealing with people they would translate the word as bowed down. When dealing with God they would translate as worshipped
In the NT passages involving Peter and John it was clearly understood what was happening was worship. This was not "adoration".
We should also note in these passages involving the Cherubim, the bronze serpent and others such as these were specific instructions from God delivered for a specific purpose.
He has never given us any such instructions regarding statues of Mary.
The catholic church has gone way beyond its claimed "adoration" of Mary in its pronouncements regarding Mary and this one of the reasons why Christians charge catholics with worshipping Mary. It is why we aren't to have graven images because the temptation to turn to them instead of Christ is too great.
We have this from Pope Leo XIII as an example. Please note the highlighted words.
We constantly seek for help from Heaven - the sole means of effecting anything - that our labours and our care may obtain their wished for object. We deem that there could be no surer and more efficacious means to this end than by religion and piety to obtain the favour of the great Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, the guardian of our peace and the minister to us of heavenly grace, who is placed on the highest summit of power and glory in Heaven, in order that she may bestow the help of her patronage on men who through so many labours and dangers are striving to reach that eternal city. …..showing that the Catholic Church has always, and with justice, put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God. SUPREMI APOSTOLATUS OFFICIO ENCYCLICAL OF POPE LEO XIII ON DEVOTION OF THE ROSARY
Notice the attributes given to Mary.
great Virgin
guardian of our peace
minister to us of heavenly grace
placed on the highest summit of power and glory in Heaven
her patronage
catholic church has always...put ALL HER HOPE AND TRUST IN THE MOTHER OF GOD
Sure sounds like catholics have gone beyond adoration based on what Pope Leo XIII has noted here.
Mary has also been assigned the following by the catholic church:
Co-redemtrix
Queen of Heaven
Queen of the Universe
Advocate
Helper
Benefactress
Mediatrix
Mary Queen of the Apostles
Mother of the Church
Mother of Divine Grace
Refuge of Sinners
Mother most pure
Mother most chaste
Queen of Angels
Queen of Patriarchs
Queen of all Saints
Queen of Martyrs
Queen of Confessors
Queen of Peace Most taken from this website http://www.vatican.va/special/rosary/documents/litanie-lauretane_en.html
That's a pretty lengthy list for just adoration.
We could also discuss to whom we are to pray to, but that's another topic for another night.
Bottom line....catholics have gone way beyond adoration and into worship regarding Mary.
You continue to single out the catholic church. You make no mention of the other churches where Mary is venerated. Yes, that qualifies as an attack on a particular church.
First this isn't addressing NYer's point directly. It's irrelevant that Peter and John's example shows in those instances worship of a created being is forbidden. It's irrelevant because in other passages in the OT, it is permitted. So based on this fact alone one must conclude it's ok so long as one is not worshiping the created as if it were the Creator. Which is the Catholic teaching (honor given to Mary and the Saints can not be the same given to God).
In other words we can't just throw out the OT if what's there contradicts what we believe to be true. The OT Scripture is just as valid as the New.
Even further however that NYer did not mention, that demonstrates this distinction in the NT as well, is the passage contained in Rev 3:9.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
The word used for "worship" here is the same (proskynéō) that you cited in your examples with Peter and John.
So here we even see in the NT authorization (by Jesus himself) of "worship" of created beings.
The fact that the Bible "doesn't tell us anywhere" to "worship" (proskynéō) is irrelevant here because that is a larger issue revolving around the question of "sola scriptura". I have no intention of debating that (again).
Indeed I have no intention of debating this with you either. But it needed to be pointed out that your entire syllogism is faulty. There is evidence of created beings being "worshipped" even in the NT.