Does the lack of religious icons take away from the spiritual experience?

As stated in Chapter 7, many religions do not have images of God or any holy person.

Instead, some religions, such as Islam, places of worship are adorned with decorative, abstract patterns rather than realistic representations of their deity/deities.

Does the lack of religious icons take away from the spiritual experience?

Why or why not? Why do some religions forbid depictions of their deities while others do not?