[Strangler Lewis]

I think the part posted by God shows why the mere act of bowing down before idols is prohibited regardless of what is in one's heart. God is a jealous, unsophisticated God, and he wants his props. The "Old Testament" is a bit of a patchwork on whether there is just one true God or just one true God for the Hebrews and the other gods can go f*** themselves. Plus, since it is firmly grounded within a context of warring cultures, these outward actions meant something back then just as they would today in tabloid culture. Thus we have Hannah and her Seven Sons refusing to bow down to the king to save themselves even though what was in their heart was clear.