Peace to you
Believer, What is ur religious affiliation??
All Christians and Catholics usually say that, but if u place something in front of u and pray to the person who u think that statue or image represents then that is Idolatory!!
And the Bible Strongly condemns Idolatory!!
The Ten Commandments is very Clear about that
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven (carved) image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, ...
And Christians do venerate Images of Jesus and Mary and u say that it only reminds u of them, but then what is the difference between u and buddhists or hindus who have the same explanation regarding images and statues.
Peace!!