For people believing in such precise fantasies, 'Kill them with death' seems incomplete. Do they consult someone for clarification

Bear in mind there were the child sacrifices in the Middle East such as to Tanit at Carthage and in literature with Euripides’ Medea.

Somewhere in Deuteronomy I think, it directs NOT sacrificing children, so it would seem it was a Bronze Age practice.

Also not forgetting the practice in pre-Colombian South and Central America.

This is a widespread phenomenon not just extrapolated from one collection of literature.

And the reasons to use to do these things to your kids. Then what they are worth to sell as slaves by age and sex.

There is more

The mistake we make is to assume these writings were conceived and constructed at the same time. It’s constructive to read the texts in their own context. Matthew the great apocalyptic writer. If you read it as literature it’s great fun. If you take it seriously you miss the dramatic effect. And Revelations! What can I say. Marvellous Mushroom talk. What a canvas of spectacular imagery. Even Stephen King would have to bow to that anarchic madness.

Try and read the books as literature, you can pretty much forget Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers, but the rest is pretty good mixture of Twighlight Zone, X Files, TS Eliot and Tom Clancy. Just take the religion out of it.

At least there’s a variety!

These scriptures are all there for us to see but just remember that god loves you. Then there was that old song that Jesus loved all the little children. What a crock! The writings once again prove that no big bible book was ever intended and we do not have a story from beginning to end. Sorry, Christians.

The Qur’an is far more barbaric!

I don't that is what Matthew 18:6 is saying, but I could be wrong. It seems to be saying if someone causes a child to sin, then that person would be better off drowned (to my eyes, it reads as a threat to someone who would lead a child astray).

Not that there aren't plenty of other instances of disgusting child killing in the bible.

sickening!