There is quite a dramatic story told in the apocryphal book Bel and the Dragon, in which the idol routines of idol worshiping Babylonians are exposed. We, by accurately addressing the claims of the apostolic fathers of the Church of Christ, expose the belly-slithering operations of the Idol worshippers of our times. It does not take long to follow the courage banner and draw the line between snake-oil salesmen and genuine followers of truth, justice, and humility. Despite the flashes of hope that have lit our path from time to time in the Americas and wherever true religion rises, some people seem unable to stop themselves from majoring in minors or mouthing the same silly fables of the idolatry of a Christian nation ankle-deep in bigotry. Another idol demise comes to mind from the days of Samuel and the exposure of Dagon, one of the gods of the Philistines. Instead of making the world better place the great images raised as beacons for a great many generations are no heroes, because they are flat on their faces.

“Now the Babylons had an idol, called Bel, and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine.” (Bel and the Dragon 1:3, KJVA)

Just the mention of love, beauty, and justice suffices to silence Dagon

“Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him in his place again. But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.”

1 Samuel 5:1-4, NASB

While the priests who officiated at Bel’s shrine were able to convince the Babylonian king, and we assume, the people, that Bel the idol consumed the food they lavished upon Him daily, Daniel knew the truth about Bel’s appetite.

… for under the table they had made a privy entrance, whereby they entered in continually, and consumed those things.” (Bel and the Dragon 1:13, KJVA)

Flat on its face with no legs

Let us not forget that Israelite worship turned out to be worse than Canaanite abominations, and that is why we do not hesitate in the 21st century to proclaim that Anglo-Saxon civilization is worshiping a god that is flat on his face. The threat of police brutality and foolish national pride does not move the vast majority of Christians. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is one of a precious few who have exposed the modern Bel, Getting on TV and radio with the thieving watchmen who can do no better than sell books, promise people prosperity and freedom is no achievement to write home about. The attempt to imitate ancient or modern Israel is already flat on its face. The election of corrupt people like the 45th president and MAGA mob only goes to show the modern Dagon flat on its face, it is the icon of a society going nowhere, because it has no legs. Let us by all means remember Dr. King, Senator Warnock and the late John Lewis by distinguishing ourselves from the merchandising evangelical idols of our times.