On Idolatry

"They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molded image. thus they changed their glory into the image of an ox that eats grass." Psalm 106:19-20 

Over and over again in the old testament God criticizes the idolatry of the children of Israel by mocking the image they worship instead of God. He always talks about how they eat grass or cannot see or speak or move on their own. All of this is true. But it made me wonder; what is it about idolatry that makes it so enticing to people?

This is a subject that I know nothing about. I have never prayed to a statue or prayed the rosary of burned incense to an image. But I have suspicions about why this appeals to people. 

First, I think that it is the pageantry associated with pagan worship. The music and dancing and other activities that go with idolatry. The spiritual buzz that people get when they practice this.

Second, I wonder if their are supernatural manifestations that accompany idol worship. There must be something more than tradition or ritual. Are there voices or visions or other manifestations? Something happened while Moses was up on the mountain that caused the people below to go crazy that was not just because of a golden calf.

People will practice false religion for a long time out of tradition or habit. But at some point something supernatural or spiritual must have happened to command such fear and devotion.