If idol worship is considered foolish, then the same should apply to love for money and respect for the flag, which are also lifeless.

 Our ancients enquired into the nature of Divinity through many paths, but they were not successful in recognising the reality. Hence, they started worshipping Nature (prakriti). Thereafter, the Indians (Bharatiyas) took to idol worship (murti aradhana). Every creature that takes birth in this universe has a form (murti). Idols are inert in nature and do not possess the qualities of compassion, love, forbearance, etc. It is for this reason that some people are against idol worship. This is ignorance. You use your forefinger to point a specific object, say, a flower or a tumbler. Similarly, idols are like pointers to Divinity. Once you recognise Divinity, you don't need the pointers, say, idols. Such being the case, is it not foolish to object to idol worship? Are you not worshipping the pictures of your parents and grandparents? Do these pictures have life in them? No. Nor do they have the qualities of compassion, love, sacrifice, etc. Then what is the point in worshipping them? It is through these pictures that we are reminded of their virtues and ideals they stood for.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba