Originally Posted by Starman
Apparently the O.T. and N.T. God is about 'free-will',
Yet monotheistic control freak Jews and christians
went about the countryside systematically destroying
temples and shrines belonging to folks who worshiped other deities.

Clearly they were not content unless they had a
theocratic monopoly on faith, by having everyone
worship their brand of God under duress.

The Jewish nation was a covenant nation and, therefore, judged as a nation.
They were (are) a chosen people and must hold to the covenant they agreed to with God.
If they didn't like the covenant, they shouldn't have agreed to it.
Hebrews that came along later could choose to live under the covenant or not. But, if they wanted the blessings that came with the covenant, they they must be part of the covenant. Also, they were free to leave and go live wherever and worship whatever gods they wanted to. God didn't force them to worship Him, but outlined the blessings and/or penalties that came with the choices they made.

Now, if you want to condemn the Catholic Church for the heresies committed during the middle ages and for the Inquisition, have at it. I have no problem with that because they were wrong for it......and needed a Reformation.....lol.