For a long time, I did not understand why the Torah commands us to fight idolatry so fervently. Why are we so intolerant when it comes to belief systems that do not accept God as the King of Kings?
It was during a field trip in college that I began to comprehend what the Torah was saying on the subject. We were in the valley of Ben Hinom, south of the Old City of Jerusalem, when the instructor read us a description of the worship practiced in that very valley a few millennia ago. He read from Midrash Tanchuma (Va'etchanan addition b) that describes in detail how parents used to sacrifice their children to the idol Molech. It was nauseating and I could hardly stomach it. But until now, the part that strikes me the most in this vivid and gory description is that the priests used to beat the drums very loudly lest the parents hear the child cry and change their mind.
People tend to think that the horrific practice of child sacrifice is no more than a vague and distant historical memory; however, I personally believe that it is alive and well.
Yes, there are savages among us who think it a pious act to slaughter three month old babies (they'll go for 3-36 year olds too)[1]. They honestly believe that by such a cowardly act they will be closer to God[2]. All I can wish for them is that they find out for themselves as soon as possible the true reward for their actions.
The drums can be heard too in this renewed version of 21st century Molech worship. To dull the natural repulsion of these grotesque acts they begin educating early on that the greatest religious act one can preform is to kill Jews, preferably children[3]. They'll spread lies about IDF soldiers and deny the holocaust as well. Anything to make sure not one drop of morality accidentally seeps into their awareness.
We, citizens of the free world, are at war with those who sanctify death. It is important that we acknowledge that. We must in return do our very best to sanctify life.
[2] I do not mean by this that they are not monotheistic; rather I claim that the same dynamic that existed in the worship of Molech exists today. The belief that murdering a child can be a holy act is the essence of both philosophies.
[3] If you don't believe me I suggest you watch this documentary by National Geographic (on the third page of videos). A picture is worth a thousand words. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/feeds/cv-seo/Full-Episodes/All-Full-Episodes/
