I’ve got another shock for you - it’s actually ritual sacrifice to the ancient demon-god Molech. Thousands of years have passed since infants were actually thrown into the blazing maw of the idol, but the goals of the sacrificers remain exactly the same - so that all may go well for them. So they can save money for a downpayment on a house. So they can finish grad school and make a ton of money. So they can keep the man they’re with. Etc., etc., etc.
You are so right.
The severest judgments against Israel came about as a result of their worship of Molech.