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An image is a likeness in simple terms. In the past and in some countries today, leaders and important persons have statues built to look like them. They have their image imprinted on coins and such. Lets look at some of the history and meanings. Are these images a good or bad thing?

In this article, I do not wish to offend anyone. Please keep an open mind. In the Christian Bible, in Genesis we read that humans are made in the likeness of our Creator, which most people call G-d. Let us make mankind in our image. Our is not defined as being parts of G-d or other divine beings. What does this mean to you? At first, I believe the meaning was about our physical appearance. After the flood of Noah, humans were allowed to kill animals for food, but animals were not allowed to do this to humans. Then later in history, there came the concept of the sacredness of life. No one was to harm others, for in doing so, we harm our Creator.

In the second command, we read that we are not to make or worship graven images. We are not to bow to them. Isn’t this the same as honor and respect for man made objects?

All humans have worth. Do you believe humans have a right to exert their will over other humans in total? As made in G-d’s image, humans are to be treated equally with no reguard to sex, class, age, education, religion, or political affiliation. Individual merit cannot lessen this image. All are given dominion over this earth and animals. Free will is a whole separate subject, as are good and evil.

Degrading another creature is just not right, but do we ever consider why? Women have been second class people for centuries and considered inferior to men in many ways. They have rebelled and now we have religions that place the female ahead of the male. In my opinion, both are equally important yet different. No one can help what sex they are born with. No one can choose to be born. Are we not made in our parent’s image? And are we not made in our ancestor’s image, no matter how many generations have existed?

When I attended and graduated from a major University, I took a speech class I remember well. My speech was about female images in the media. I showed the class photos of women being portrayed as objects, not humans with human features. Even today, I remember the interest of my class, yet it seems society has regressed.

My friend visited a prison recently. A small female child was wearing a tee shirt that said sexy. What is sexy about an innocent toddler? Persons who make money from the sale of dehumanization materials need to look at why they place money ahead of human worth and why. (Photos by Brenda Kay Winters of infant wear and woman on a cross.)