In the history of human migration and
conquest certain patterns repeat themselves endlessly. One of these is the practice of invaders to
demonize the gods of those whom they have subdued and displaced. There are numerous stories of this kind of
struggle in the Jewish and Christian scriptures, told both from the viewpoint
of the triumphant conquerors and of the resistant conquered.
In the Old Testament books of Joshua
and Judges the military eradication of the indigenous tribes of the Jordan
valley by the Israelites is firmly linked with destruction of their places of
worship. The indigenous gods, called
Baals, are mocked and denounced. The
Israelite understanding of what their god requires of them is exemplified by
Judges 2:1-5, in which an angel of The Lord calls them disobedient and calls
punishment on them for failing to tear down all the altars to local gods.
