What is the effect of idolatry?

Answer 1

Idolatry conceals and obfuscates the identity of the Creator. In addition, it tended to go hand in hand with cruel, licentious and excessive behavior, since the caprices which were narrated concerning the idols were adopted as an excuse to imitate those types of behavior).

See: Cruelties of the polytheists and

How did polytheism start?

In early Jewish (Israelite) history, those Jews who succumbed to the lure of idol-worship found themselves on a slippery slope whose end result was the abandonment of the entire Torah. Such Jews either repented (Judges 2:1-4, 3:9, 3:15, 6:6, 10:10) or went lost to history (2 Kings 17:1-23).

Answer 2

'Idolatry' is a pejorative term used to belittle or ridicule the beliefs of other religions. Judaism became aniconic around the seventh century BCE and, along with Christianity and Islam, has since claimed superiority over other religions because it no longer allows divine images in worship.

The word 'idolatry' can be redefined to suit the user, just as 'monotheism' has been redefined by some. For example, Catholics venerate images of saints and even of Jesus, as well as supposed relics of the saints. Hindus will be accused of idolatry when seen praying in front of a statue, knowing it not to be the real god it represents, yet Catholics pray in front of a crucifix or statue knowing it to be only a representation.

The effect of idolatry is arguably on the accuser, by creating a smug sense of hypocrisy.