What term is used to describe individuals who reject or oppose the use of religious icons?

The term that describes individuals who reject or oppose the use of religious icons is "iconoclasts." This concept arose in various historical contexts, particularly during the Byzantine iconoclasm, where there was significant debate about the appropriateness and veneration of icons in religious practices. Iconoclasts believed that the use of physical representations of divine figures constituted idolatry, thereby advocating for a more direct form of worship devoid of intermediaries.

In contrast, iconographers are those who create icons and elaborate on their spiritual significance, which directly opposes the stance of iconoclasts. Symbolists, on the other hand, are generally associated with a movement in art and literature that seeks to convey deeper meanings and emotions through symbols, rather than focusing on the rejection of icons. Ritualists emphasize the importance of rituals and ceremonies in religious practices, which may involve the utilization of icons rather than opposing them. Thus, "iconoclasts" is the term that aptly captures the stance of those who oppose religious icons.