What is iconoclasm?

Answer

Iconoclasm literally means “icon-breaking,” which involves the religious and political destruction of images or monuments, typically—though not always—those of another religious group. Iconoclasm is often a part of significant domestic political or religious changes. It is the belief that there should not be religious pictures, sacred images, or religious monuments because they are viewed as a form of idolatry. Those who participate in or support iconoclasm are known as “iconoclasts,” a term that has been figuratively applied to any individual who challenges or disregards established dogma or conventions. Conversely, individuals who honor or respect religious images are referred to as “iconolaters.” In a Byzantine context, they are known as “iconodules” or “iconophiles.”

While iconoclasm may be carried out by individuals of various religions, it frequently arises from sectarian disputes within the same religion. For instance, the creation of portraits of Christ and the saints was opposed in the early Christian church, but by the end of the 6th century, icons had become a widely accepted form of worship. Supporters of icon worship emphasized the symbolic nature of the images. Opposition to this worship led to the “iconoclastic controversy” initiated by the Byzantine emperor Leo II in A.D. 726. This controversy persisted in the Eastern Church for over a century before icons were reinstated.

The iconoclastic controversy encouraged Byzantine artists to seek spiritual revelation in religious art rather than striving for naturalistic representation. The churches of the Eastern Orthodox Church are typically adorned only with flat pictures, bas-reliefs, and mosaics. Iconoclasm was also evident during the Protestant Reformation. The Puritans, in particular, were vehemently opposed to the use of religious images, and some Protestants still view their use as idolatrous.

In ChristiaIn Christianity, iconoclasm has typically been driven by a literal understanding of the Ten Commandments, which prohibit the creation and adoration of “graven images” (see Exodus 20:4). Sculptures and paintings of saints and religious personalities were prevalent in the Western church, but certain Protestant groups eventually renounced them. Islam continues to prohibit all icons, and iconoclasm has been a factor in the disputes between Muslims and Hindus in India.