tin god

A tin god is a visible, touchable and under certain circumstances also audible thing that represents a god – called a "false god" by religions and sects that have an invisible god – and is worshipped and prayed to because people erroneously believe that it has might or power and could grant them happiness, health, good harvest, protection, etc. Although usually inanimate and man-made it can also be a natural or living thing, i.e. sun, moon, tree, animal, geological formation, etc.