Re: Good Non-Muslim People
I know what you're saying....trust me i do!
But prostrating before an idol, in itself, is an issue. Because it signifies submission to that before which you are postrating. I for a fact don't think of the whole thing as a competition, not a single bit because to me the supreme being (Allah) has no competition, all is under him.
For any muslim, submission means to humble yourself, connect with Allah almighty, through faith and not through a handmade artifect that we hope would give us a sort of attachment to the Lord Almighty.
To make offerings to an idol, to ask an idol of something/anything is like ascribing partners with Allah (SWT) because what you're saying basically is that, this idol has a spirit to it, and it is this spirit that fulfills your wishes or duaas as we'd say. However, it is Allah that fulfills man kind's requests because we're all his creation. Some obey him, some dont. And the record of all that's done will be presented before us on the day of judgement.
The point i'm making here is that worship of idol, no matter what the mentality behind it is shirk (joining partners with Allah, the one Alone worthy of worship). and this worship of Idols....has been coming alone from the earliest of days of mankind....i'd explain it all but...it defeats the purpose at hand here...
:)