Despite how ridiculous the claim is, people still make this accusation. This tract will examine the standard Fundamentalist arguments against the ancient Christian practice of using images, and it will as provide a brief biblical response to these arguments, showing the Scriptural evidence for this practice. First, let's point out that it's right to warn people against the sin of idolatry. Note that all this was directed according to divinely inspired writing. The fact that one had to look at the bronze statue of the serpent in order to be healed shows that statues could be used ritually, not merely as religious decorations.
Catholics use statues, paintings, and other artistic devices to recall the person or thing depicted.
Just as it is helps to remember one's mother by looking at her photograph, so it helps to recall the example of the saints by looking at pictures of them. Catholics also use statues as teaching tools. In the early Church they were especially useful for the instruction of the illiterate. Many Protestants themselves have pictures of Jesus and other Bible pictures in Sunday school for purposes of teaching children, especially those who haven't learned to read. Catholics also use statues to commemorate certain people and events, much like Protestant churches that have three-dimensional nativity scenes at Christmas.