No Idolatry

by Al Thomas
All biblical quotations are from the King James Version.
Preface (some examples of exceptions to biblical laws due to extenuating circumstances)
God makes allowances for believers who are forced by circumstances to be in contact with idolaters.
1Kings 18:1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. 1Ki.18:2 And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria. 1Ki.18:3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: 1Ki.18:4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) 1Ki.18:5 And Ahab said unto Obadiah, G o into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts. 1Ki.18:6 So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. 1Ki.18:7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? 1Ki.18:8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 1Ki.18:9 And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? 1Ki.18:10 As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. 1Ki.18:11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. 1Ki.18:12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth. 1Ki.18:13 Was it not told my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? 1Ki.18:14 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here: and he shall slay me. 1Ki.18:15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day. 1Ki.18:16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah. 1Ki.18:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 1Ki.18:18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Note: Obadiah must have had to pretend to worship Baalim; otherwise, Ahab would have killed him.
Likewise, the Syrian general, who was cured of leprosy by Elisha (who told him to wash in the Jordon River), was given permission to pretend to worship Rimmon:
2Kings 5:15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. 2Ki.5:17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD. 2Ki.5:18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing. 2Ki.5:19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
Introduction
The relative importance of each of the Ten Commandments is implied by its sequential position in the commandments: no idolatry is the second commandment; no murder is way down at number six.
Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Ex.20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; Ex.20:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ex.20:23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. Deuteronomy 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Deut.5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
In the following verses the Lord Jesus makes it clear, the commandments concerning duty to God are more important than those concerning duty to humans.
Matthew 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? M't.22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. M't.22:38 This is the first and great commandment. M't.22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. M't.22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? M'r.12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: M'r.12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. M'r.12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. M'r.12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: M'r.12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. M'r.12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Lu.10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? Lu.10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Lu.10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
The following vss illistrate how we must hold our Creater in higher esteem than our kin folks. Matthew 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. M't.10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. M't.10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (The previous vs thirty seven gives one of the reasons why in the Ten Commandments, obligations to God are listed before those to humans.) The next three vss add emphasis to the point: Luke 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. Lu.12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. . . . Lu.14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

The vss I will now quote point out, again, that as is shown by the order of the Ten Commandments, the obligation to obey God Allmighty supersedes commitments to flesh and blood people. Luke 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Lu.9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. Lu.9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. Lu.9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

The following vss might imply a corollary (an inference or deduction). Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. M't.26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? M't.26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. M't.26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Mark14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. M'r.14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? M'r.14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. M'r.14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. M'r.14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

In the previous vss Peter and the other apostles were repeatedly commanded to "watch", but they fell asleep repeatedly. After finding them sleeping the first time the Lord said, ". . .the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. " Thus, Jesus conceded Peter's desire to obey, but also observed his failure was due to the weakness of the flesh. Later, after finding the apostles having fallen asleep the third time, the King of Salvation said, ". . .Sleep on now, and take your rest . . . ." Implying, I think, some degree of leniency because their offense was due to weakness of the flesh. Finally, along this same line of thought which is as follows: Offenses against God will be punished more harshly than sins of the flesh; we include the following verses, Proverbs 6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; Proverbs 6:31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

The first three commandments govern our relationship with God; the fifth through tenth commandments govern our dealings with humanity. Yet, the fourth commandment doesn't seem to fit neatly into either category: Exodus 31:15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. . . . Ex.31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. In the previous vs 17 the scripture explains a reason for sabbath keeping; whereas, in vs 15 the expression "holy to the LORD" seems to indicate it is dedicated to our Maker. Whereas, the following vss appear to dedicate the weekly sabbath first to God, and then to humans: Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: (emphasis of vs 13 is on God). Isa.58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (The emphasis of vs 14 is on humanity.) Nonetheless, the following vss tend to indicate that the fourth commandment pertains to human kind as well: Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: M'r.2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

The Lord does not think and do like us (for He is superior). This explains why we (flesh) might have ordered the Ten Commandments differently.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isa.55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Blasphemy (third commandment) is not as bad as idolatry (second commandment); nonetheless, under the Law of Moses the penalty for blasphemy was severe.
Leviticus 24:10 And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; Le.24:11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) Le.24:12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. Le.24:13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Le.24:14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. Le.24:15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. Le.24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
The following verses illustrate how much God hates idolatry.
Ezekiel 5:10 Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds. Eze.5:11 Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity. Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
In the above verse, Ezekiel 5:11, the words "detestable things," are translated from the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary word number 8251 shiqquwts shik-koots' or shiqquts {shik-koots'}; from 8262; disgusting, i.e. filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol:-- abominable filth (idol, -ation), detestable (thing). Immediately after which the same verse says, "and with all thine abominations"; abominations being translated from Strong's Hebrew Dictionary word number 8441 tow`ebah to-ay-baw' or tonebah {to-ay-baw'}; feminine active participle of 8581; properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol:-- abominable (custom, thing), abomination. So we see that both of these words refer to idols that were being used in God's "sanctuary" (i.e. temple) for worship; otherwise, why would they have brought the idols into the temple?
In the following verses the same Hebrew word for "abominations" was used:
Deuteronomy 7:25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God. De.7:26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing. De.12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. The word "abomination" is underlined in each of these three verses when they are quoted later in this treatise in order to emphasize it.
Contention
1) No idolatry
Leviticus 19:4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God. 2Chronicles 24:18 And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. 2Ch.28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father: 2Ch. 8:2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. (Reason for prohibition: Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? Isa.40:19 The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. Isa.40:20 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Isa.40:25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Isa.42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Isa.42:17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.)
2) Idolatry is witchcraft and prostitution
Isaiah 57:3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. Isa.57:4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, Isa.57:5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? Isa.57:6 Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these? Isa.57:7 Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. Isa.57:8 Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it. Isa.57:9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.
3) Admonishments against heathen worship
Psalms 106:35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. Ps.106:36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. 2Kings 17:7 For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 2Ki.17:8 And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. 2Ki.17:10 And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: 2Ki.17:11 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger: 2Ki.17:12 For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing. 2Ki.17:15 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. 2Ki.17:16 And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. Exodus 23:24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images. Leviticus 18:3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Le.18:4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Le.18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. Deuteronomy 12:29 When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; De.12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. De.12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 2Kings 17:24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. 2Ki.17:25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them. 2Ki.17:26 Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land. 2Ki.17:27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land. 2Ki.17:28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD. 2Ki.17:29 Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt. 2Ki.17:30 And the men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, and the men of Cuth made Nergal, and the men of Hamath made Ashima, 2Ki.17:31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. 2Ki.17:32 So they feared the LORD, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. 2Ki.17:33 They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. 2Ki.17:34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel; 2Ki.17:35 With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them: 2Ki.17:36 But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice. 2Ki.17:37 And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which he wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods. 2Ki.17:38 And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods. 2Ki.17:39 But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. 2Ki.17:40 Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. 2Ki.17:41 So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and theirchildren's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day. (Destroy their idols: Numbers 33:52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:)(Don't use their idols: Deuteronomy 7:25 The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God. De.12:3 And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.)
4) Do not add to the Word
Deureronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. De.12:29 When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; De.12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. De.12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. De.12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (Because: Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. M't.15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.)
Additionally, there are those who try to justify idolatry with their own wisdom (adding to the word) by saying things like: The Christians have confiscated the Pagan symbols and are using them for themselves. Or, God doesn't want to be a spoil sport and ruin all of your fun; just so long as you know it's not Christian, it will be ok to practice the pagan rituals. Or, I know that Jesus couldn't have been born on December 25th, so I didn't enjoy opening presents with the grand children as much as I would have. Furthermore, instead of trying to prove that idolatry is right by quoting the Bible, they insult people who refuse to bow down to the idol tree by saying things like: "You're a Scrooge." or "You're a Grinch that stole Christmas." Even though the Grinch and Scrooge are fictional characters and have none of the authority that Bible verses have.
5) Unauthorized worship practices forbidden
Leviticus 17:8 And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering of sacrifice, Le.17:9 And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people. Deuteronomy 7:26 Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing. 2Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2Co.6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2Co.6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (Because: Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. M't.15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.)
6) Idolatrous Jehovah worship forbidden
Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. Ex.32:2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. Ex.32:3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. Ex.32:4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (The people were using the golden calf to worship Jehovah, for of the golden calf they said, "These be thy gods" [this Hebrew word translated 'gods' is defined thusly in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary: Strong's reference number O430 'elohiym el-o-heem' plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God].) Ex.32:5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. ( The previous word "LORD" is translated from the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary word reference number 3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw' from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.) Which shows the Israelites were using the golden calf to worship Jehovah. Ex.32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. Also, they knew Jehovah brought them out of Egypt beyond any doubt as they had just heard Him speak from the mountain. Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying, Ex.20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Ex.20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. Ex.20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And what was the reaction of God to their idolatrous worship of Him: Exodus 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Ex.32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. Ex.32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Ex.32:10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. Ezekiel 20:39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols. In the previous verse Ezekiel specifically states that idols used to worship Jehovah pollute His holy name. Next the prophet Isaiah quotes the LORD as commanding against using idols to worship Him by saying: Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
7) No idol tree (which has been renamed "Christmas Tree" in modern times)
Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you O house of Israel: Jer.10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. Jer.10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. Jer.10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. In the previous verse (vs 4) note the similarities between the way the tree ritual was performed in the time of the prophet Jeremiah and the way it is done in modern times here in the United States of America: "They deck it with silver and with gold" they decked (decorated) their trees just like modern Americans do (later verse 9 will describe how the ornaments were manufactured). Next the writer describes the stand that was used to hold the tree up,"they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." Jer.10:5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Jer.10:6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Jer.10:7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. Jer.10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. In the previous verse the word "stock" is translated from the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary word which has the reference number 6086 `ets ates; from 6095; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks):--+ carpenter, gallows, helve, + pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. Thus showing that God considers those who practice the tree ritual to be "altogether brutish". "Altogether" means completely; whereas, "brutish" means animal like. Jer.10:9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. The first part of the previous verse [vs 9] goes into some detail describing the similarity between their ornaments and those of modern idolaters, "Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder". After which verse 9 goes on to say, "blue and purple is their clothing", thus describing the fabric that is wrapped around the tree's stand; once again, just like in modern times. Jer.10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.. (Tammuz tree: Ezekiel 8:13 He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. Eze.8:14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD's house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. [in your search engine enter "tammuz tree" to find articles with footnotes explaining the connection between the tree ritual and Tammuz].)
8) Someone might say, "But,we are under grace; we are not under the law."
1Corinthians 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 1Co.10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 1Co.10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 1Co.10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 1Co.10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Galatians 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 1John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
9) Nativity scenes contradict the biblical account
1. The Bible says "wise men" ; not three wise men. Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2. Jesus was about two years old when wise men gave him presents; not when he was an infant. Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, M't.2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. M't.2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. M't.2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. M't.2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, M't.2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. M't.2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. M't.2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. M't.2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. M't.2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. M't.2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. M't.2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. M't.2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. M't.2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: M't.2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. M't.2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Notice that in the previous scriptures Jesus is referred to as a "young child" six times, rather than as an infant. Also, Herod slew children who were " from two years old and under" which proves that Herod knew Jesus was not an infant when the wise men gave gifts to Him. 3. Jesus' birthday could not have been Dec. 25th. Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Lu.2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ("same country" would have to mean an area near Bethlehem, which was a settled area, rather than a desert area where nomads would have sojourned.); "abiding in the field" means they were sleeping on the ground which they would not have done during the cold of December. (The following verses illistrate how cold it gets in Jerusalem which is near to Bethlehem: John 18:18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. Jeremiah 36:22 Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. Jer.36:30 Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.) 4. Shepherds visited the infant Jesus; not wise men. Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Lu.2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Lu.2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Lu.2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Lu.2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Lu.2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Lu.2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. Lu.2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Lu.2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 5. Christmas celebration is the opposite of the commandment "this do in remembrance of me" (the remembrance being a commemoration of his death). Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. Lu.22:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Lu.22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. Lu.22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. Lu.22:5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. Lu.22:6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. Lu.22:7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. Lu.22:8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. Lu.22:9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? Lu.22:10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. Lu.22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? Lu.22:12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. Lu.22:13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. Lu.22:14: And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. Lu.22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: Lu.22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Lu.22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: Lu.22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. Lu.22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Lu.22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Lu.22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. Lu.22:22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! Lu.22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. 1Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 1Co.11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1Co.11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 1Co.11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
10) The high priest and the twenty four chief priests have their backs to the temple as they worship the sun, which they are facing. (This abomination is the greatest of the four that God shows Ezekial in a vision. It is the precurser to the modern easter sunrise service.)
Ezekiel 8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. The Easter Egg is an Idol Easter is the name of a pagan godess of fertility. The egg and the bunny are fertility symbols in her honor. Just as the tree honors her son Tammuz (in your search engine enter "tammuz tree" to find articles with footnotes explaining the connection between the tree ritual and Tammuz; to find out about the origins of Easter, enter "semiramus easter egg" in your search engine). These idolatrous rituals predate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
11) Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost (?)
By renaming the ancient pagan idol tree as the "Christmas Tree", aren't people attributing the works of another god to Jesus Christ? 1Corinthians 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 1Co.10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 1Co.10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 1Co.10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. M't.12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? M't.12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. . . . M't.12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. M't.12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. M't.12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

In the above vs twenty four the pharisees ascribe the works of Jesus to Satan: But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. In response to which our Lord says (vs 31), . . . All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

In its modern form, is the idol tree ritual blasphemy of the Holy Ghost?

Conclusion
BACKSLIDING (then as now) have no idols Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Ex.20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; Ex.20:23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. the Israelites agree to obey Exodus 24:3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. the Israelites commit idolatry Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. Ex.32:2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. Ex.32:3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. Ex.32:4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (The people were using the golden calf to worship Jehovah, for of the golden calf they said, "These be thy gods" [this Hebrew word translated 'gods' is defined thusly in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary: Strong's reference number O430 'elohiym el-o-heem' plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God].) Ex.32:5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. ( The previous word "LORD" is translated from the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary word reference number 3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw' from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.) Which shows the Israelites were using the golden calf to worship Jehovah. Ex.32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. Ex.32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: Ex.32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." (The people were using the golden calf to worship Jehovah, for of the golden calf they said, "These be thy gods" [this Hebrew word translated 'gods' is defined thusly in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary: Strong's reference number O430 'elohiym el-o-heem' plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God].) Deuteronomy 9:8 Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you. De.9:9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: De.9:10 And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly. De.9:11 And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant. De.9:12 And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image. De.9:13 Furthermore the LORD spake unto me, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: De.9:14 Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they. De.9:16 And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you.
REMEMBER: Learn not the way of the heathen,... Jeremiah 10:2
Also, Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Do not be like the Jews to whom the following words were spoken: Jeremiah 6:15: Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? ("abomination" being translated from Strong's Hebrew Dictionary word number 8441 tow`ebah to-ay-baw' or tonebah {to-ay-baw'}; feminine active participle of 8581; properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol:-- abominable (custom, thing), abomination.)nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Final Thought
Some of the earliest settlers to our nation came here to escape religious persecution; in contrast, the Samaritans were brought to the promised land to replace the Israelites whom God had rejected for their sins. Nonetheless, in some respects, I think it is fair to compare the ancient Samaritans to the modern Christians of our United States of America by quoting the following vss: 2Kings 17:24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. . . . 2Ki.17:27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought from thence; and let them go and dwell there, and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land. . . . 2Ki.17:29 Howbeit every nation made gods of their own, and put them in the houses of the high places which the Samaritans had made, every nation in their cities wherein they dwelt. . . . 2Ki.17:31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burnt their children in fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim. (The child sacrifices of the Sepharvites parallels the practice of abortion by some modern American Christians.) . . . 2Ki.17:33 They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence. This last verse I will quote describes mainstream Christianity, at this time, here in the United States of America. 2Ki.17:41 So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.