just like many of you have a Nativity set?
they dont actully 'think' when they say that per se,\n\nit comes from protestant having to break off from catholic in a messy kind of way, with such justifications as 'they're idolatrous' 'un-christian' and others that really have no merit.\n\nwhen in reality, all it is is a reminder of the person that we're praying to.  in church the priest doesnt say 'statue have mercy' he says 'Christ have mercy'
I was raised as a Christian, because my Dad is a Lutheran pastor.  I follow the Bible explicitly, but I do study other religions in order to better debate with people.