Is Idolatry and Heresy the same?

 

Yes.

We should define heresy:

Heresy, theological doctrine or system rejected as false by ecclesiastical  authority. The Greek word hairesis (from which heresy is derived) was originally a neutral term that signified merely the holding of a particular set of philosophical opinions. (Brittanica)

I’m arguing that most societies view marriage as a lifelong commitment involving monogamy. Both parties and their families agree to these terms and then the couple is married.

Let's say you marry someone and commit to them forever. You establish a contract between you two that you will be monogamous. Then, one of you has an affair. That’s heresy in regards to your contract and public promises that are contrary to your society’s philosophical opinions.

Per idolatry, I’m arguing that everyone, including islanders or isolated groups without a written code, have a knowledge of right and wrong. Universally, everyone realizes that if you marry your sister, your children will be deformed. There are other caveats generally accepted. Every competent civilization has some level of morality.

In the Bible, Paul explains it this way:

For God does not show favoritism. All who have sinned outside the framework of Torah will die outside the framework of Torah; and all who have sinned within the framework of Torah will be judged by Torah. For it is not merely the hearers of Torah whom God considers righteous; rather, it is the doers of what Torah says who will be made righteous in God’s sight. For whenever Gentiles, who have no Torah, do naturally what the Torahrequires, then these, even though they don’t have Torah, for themselves are Torah! For their lives show that the conduct the Torah dictates is written in their hearts.[b

] Their consciences also bear witness to this, for their conflicting thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them on a day when God passes judgment on people’s inmost secrets. (According to the Good News as I proclaim it, he does this through the Messiah Yeshua.) Romans 2:11–16 (CJB)

Although most modern civilizations don’t understand ancient idolatry, it is prevalent in many tribal circumstances.

In all cases, people realize figurines of wood and stone can’t create the heavens and the earth, but some people worship these figurines anyway.

Replacing an all powerful God with one that is formed out of wood and stone is the same thing as replacing the one you promised to be faithful to for your whole life.

Some call it guilt. Some call it conscience. Whatever it is, we all have it.

Remote islanders have an ethical code, and they will be judged by that code. We, who read the Bible will be held to a higher code.

Shalom!