THE RELIGION GUY poses this complex historical question himself instead of the customary answer to an item posted via “Send Your Questions In” — new submissions very much welcomed. There's been important debate on this issue recently, and a new book proposes sweeping reinterpretation of the Old Testament depiction of Israel's “Conquest” of the Holy Land under Joshua. More on that below.
Richard Dawkins, a fervent foe of religion, indicts the biblical God for inciting “genocide” in the Bible's conquest passages and verses like Deuteronomy 20:16-18 that direct believers to wipe out neighboring populations. Many U.S. Jews and Christians frankly admit this material is troubling.
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