An idol used by an idolater is assur b'hanaah (roughly, forbidden for use) and only loses that status if an idolater physically annuls it's "consecrated" status, e.g. by damaging it. Similarly, anything offered to an idolatrous god is forbidden, though, in this case, it cannot lose that status and even money spent on it is likewise forbidden. What about decorations used in idolatrous holidays? For example, assuming a specific Christian's belief-system qualifies as idolatrous, can one repurpose his used Christmas decorations, that are themselves not explicitly idolatrous, as e.g. a child's plaything or even Sukkah decor?
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Can you source your first two sentences?– Double AA ♦Apr 15, 2015 at 15:11
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1נוי עבודה זרה is also a category, for which I believe there is bittul (and selling constitutes bittul)– wfbApr 15, 2015 at 16:02
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@wfb What if the original idolator might have assumed the buyer was a similar idolator?– LoewianApr 15, 2015 at 16:07
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1 Answer
Even if this would be considered נוי עבודה זרה, decoration of an idol, it would be permitted with bittul: שולחן ערוך יורה דעה סימן קלט סעיף ב: אליל של ישראל אין לה ביטול אבל של עובד כוכבים ותשמישיה ונויה יש להם ביטול ותקרובתה אין לה ביטול
The Shulchan Aruch records two opinions about whether selling constitutes bittul: סעיף יב: ואם מכרן העובד כוכבים או משכנן לישראל זהו ביטולם ויש אומרים שאין זה ביטולם
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If you prefer your Shulchan Aruch the old fashioned way, beta.hebrewbooks.org/tursa.aspx?a=yd_x5058– wfbApr 15, 2015 at 16:16