ABSTRACT
The notion that “idolatry” represents the antithesis of “good” religiosity in the form of monotheist worship of a transcendent god is so deeply ingrained in many modern minds that terminology itself becomes an obstacle to exploring important questions of material religion. The critique of idolatry often follows predictable patterns in which both the idolater and the idol as object of veneration are subjected to ridicule. The idol is the object of contempt for its impotence and its construction out of base matter, while the idolater is derided for being stupid and primitive in his or her eagerness to worship a worthless idol. In addition to ignorance, the origins of idolatry are seen to lie in tyranny and conceit, where the wielders of worldly power use fear to force the helpless to worship them. 1
