Why did parents sacrifice their children to false gods? (Psalm 106:37)
Psalm 106:36-38
36
They worshiped their idols,
which became a snare to them.
37
They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to false gods.
38
They shed innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
and the land was desecrated by their blood.
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Asked May 03 2019
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Jack Gutknecht
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Jennifer Rothnie
There is still an element of this going on today - so unfortunately it seems to be a problem of human nature more than the horror of an ancient culture.
Consider some common reasons U.S. women give for choosing to contract with someone else to kill their unborn child:
- For a quarter, the main reason given is 'not ready for a child right now' - which generally stems from the idol of worldly pleasure. If one doesn't feel ready for the responsibility, then one isn't ready for the activity that leads to children.
- For a little less than a quarter, the main reason is 'can't afford' a child - this can again be the idol of worldy pleasure, but it can be the worldy idols of discontentment and greed as well. Consider that in the U.S., our 'poverty' line is 39 times that of the poverty line worldwide. The living standard of our poor below the poverty line can still be in the top 15% worldwide. One doesn't 'need' luxuries or expensive brands to be rich. Most of our poor have access to many modern conveniences as well - few in the U.S. have to work all day just to buy that day's food.
And of course, those children could be adopted out to others - there would be no need to kill the children if finances were the true concern.
- For a quarter, 'keeping sexual activity a secret' was a concern. This is the idol of lust and 'deeds done in darkness.'
And lately there is a growing movement pushing abortion for the sake of the idol of 'Mother Earth'