Origins of the Judeo-Christian god and religion

Nice try, but that isn't why he took it. It was because YHWH had power over the territories of Isreal. If he was on Rimmon's territory Rimmon might well be more powerful. That's why the Philistines took the Ark.

you are misunderstanding what henotheism is. it does not include the worship of other deities, simply the knowledge that other gods may exist but you only worship yours.

you are misunderstanding what henotheism is. it does not include the worship of other deities, simply the knowledge that other gods may exist but you only worship yours.

17 "If you will not," said Naaman, "please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the LORD.

I think we must speak two different languages, that's the problem.

No, I didn't mean to say that Adam worshipped false gods. Certainly none of the godly line from Seth worshipped false gods. I merely meant that idol worship no doubt sprang up soon after the Fall, among some segments of the population, and that it progressed over time, yes.

no one from the line of seth? that seems a bit... difficult to justify. do you mean JUST the named patriarchs in the specific lineage that gave rise to the jews? because, well, everyone is from the line of seth, through noah

Oh good grief Arach. The godly line of Seth that is LISTED in the Bible is what I was talking about. I think since they are godly we can assume they didn't resort to idolatry. There were other descendants of Seth of course, as well as descendants of Cain.

17. two mules' burden of earth--with which to make an altar ( Exd 20:24 ) to the God of Israel. What his motive or his purpose was in this proposal--whether he thought that God could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil; or whether he wished, when far away from the Jordan, to have the earth of Palestine to rub himself with, which the Orientals use as a substitute for water; or whether, by making such a request of Elisha, he thought the prophet's grant of it would impart some virtue; or whether, like the modern Jews and Mohammedans, he resolved to have a portion of this holy earth for his nightly pillow--it is not easy to say. It is not strange to find such notions in so newly a converted heathen.

He will not only offer a sacrifice to the Lord, in thanks for his present cure, but he resolves he will never offer sacrifice to any other gods, v. 17. It was a happy cure of his leprosy which cured him of his idolatry, a more dangerous disease. But here are two instances of his weakness and infirmity in his conversion:-1. In one instance he over-did it, that he would not only worship the God of Israel, but he would have clods of earth out of the prophet’s garden, or at least of the prophet’s ordering, to make an altar of, v. 17. He that awhile ago had spoken very slightly of the waters of Israel (v. 12) now is in another extreme, and over-values the earth of Israel, supposing (since God has appointed altars of earth, Ex. 20:24) that an altar of that earth would be most acceptable to him, not considering that all the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof. Or perhaps the transport of his affection and veneration for the prophet, not only upon the account of his power, but of his virtue and generosity, made him, as we say, love the very ground he went upon and desire to have some of it home with him. The modern compliment equivalent to this would be, "Pray, sir, let me have your picture.’’2. In another instance he under-did it, that he reserved to himself a liberty to bow in the house of Rimmon, in complaisance to the king his master, and according to the duty of his place at court (v. 18), in this thing he must be excused. He owns he ought not to do it, but that he cannot otherwise not do it, but that he cannot otherwise keep his place,”protests that his bowing is not, nor ever shall be, as it had been, in honour to the idol, but only in honour to the king,”and therefore he hopes God will forgive him. Perhaps, all things considered, this might admit of some apology, though it was not justifiable. But, as to us, I am sure, (1.) If, in covenanting with God, we make a reservation for any known sin, which we will continue to indulge ourselves in, that reservation is a defeasance of his covenant. We must cast away all our transgressions and not except any house of Rimmon.

By definition anyone called godly does not worship idols. Many others living in that time obviously did -- ones unmentioned in the text.

OK I'll have to think about it some more.

where is the bit you're referring to with the "godly" stuff?

Wow, you really deny that Yahweh is the one true God over all. Well, really, what can I say? The Bible is so clear about that, it must take a lot of doublethink to deny it.