Final answer:
Idolatry occurs when a person worships an object or concept as a deity, which can include the pursuit of wealth, obsession with celebrities, or ideologies. This can be seen in various historical and contemporary contexts, such as the obsession with icons during the Early Byzantine period or today's focus on consumer goods and social media.
Step-by-step explanation:
Idolatry, in religious terms, is the worship of an idol or a physical object as a representation of a god. It can happen in various forms and does not necessarily relate to just traditional religious statues or symbols. Examples of how a person might commit idolatry include excessively pursuing wealth, having an overbearing obsession with celebrities, or devoting oneself to a certain ideology to the extent that it replaces spiritual or religious beliefs. In the context of the Biblical commandments, specifically the first and second ones, idolatry also encompasses the notion of having 'no other gods before me' and not making 'any graven image'. These commandments imply that nothing should come before the singular, monotheistic worship of God. Throughout history, a variety of other 'gods' or objects of worship have been acknowledged, ranging from those in Early Byzantine Christianity to the instincts like those described by Freud, who saw god as an illusion. Additionally, the iconoclastic controversy during the Early Byzantine period highlights a historical instance of the tension between the veneration of religious images and the worship of God. Today, idolatry can be manifested in the worship of consumer goods, prioritization of personal success above ethical concerns, or viewing technology and social media as central to one’s life. These things might be 'worshipped' or 'pursued' in place of God, which aligns with contemporary interpretations of idolatry.