Why is Religion so hung up on Symbols: Statues, Crucifixes, Saints yet to his followers Jesus stressed Love?

I would say it is because people always want to make a statement and want attention, even if it is bad, it is attention for them. Look at all the tattoos that people wear now. And, I have seen the big cross on their back. Funny, I remember years ago people wearing a small cross around their neck to show that they professed to be "Christian", or perhaps they were stating they were Catholic. Now it is just "a thing". They could own a Buddha and say they are Protestant, really they don't see a problem. However, those that are professing being Christian should be following Christ and those symbols would never be used, as they come from the ancient city of Babylon where all false teachings come from.