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May I own a rosary for artistic display?

Question:

I think rosaries are beautiful and would like to own one, although I would not use it to pray. I have been told that it would be "wrong" for me to have a rosary, since I see them only as beautiful art. Can I own a rosary if I intend only to display it as art?

Answer:

There is nothing wrong with buying a rosary because you consider it a beautiful art form. Many people collect examples of artifacts of religions of which they are not members. So long as the artifact is treated with dignity, reasonable religious people should be flattered rather than offended that you consider their religious emblems lovely enough to wish to display in your home.

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