In five pages this paper assesses the pros and cons of child sacrifice and argues that this was not practiced by the Israelites. Five sources are cited in the bibliography.
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who participate in this sect of Catholicism do not make such sacrifices. Animals are sacrificed but it is not the rule that children or older adults are. Still, rumors linger
and this is also true of the debate as it manifests about human sacrifices among the Israelites. Did they sacrifice their children? There are scholars on both sides of the
issue and much of the answer lies in the Old Testament. Yet, it will be shown that Israelites really did not practice child sacrifice as a part and parcel of
the religion. Still, it should be noted that sacrifices are often included in the bible ("Devil" PG). The King of Moab, for example, purportedly took
his eldest son that should have reigned and offered him as a burnt-offering (PG). At least this is true according to 2 Kings(PG). The King succeeded and actually saved his
city as a result (PG). There had been a great indignation against Israel, according to the biblical account, and the Israelites departed from him and returned to the land
that they called their own (PG). The prophets had also continually preached against the pagan practice of sacrifice, but it seems as if the Israelites did sacrifice their sons
and daughters to devils or at least allow them to pass through the fire of Moloch which would devour them (PG). At least, it appears that way when reading the
bible or listening to folklore and rumors. Many people do point to the fact that Jews early in history sacrificed their children and even respected scholars contend that this is
true. Levenson for example claims that the sacrifice of the first-born son had been practiced literally in early Israel as well as in cultures which surrounded the region (Stevenson 791).