The fact that Jesus claimed to be God is a simple question of history, not religion. It is as mundane as history recording that Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon river. But for those who hold that Jesus is something other than God Himself, such historicity is a huge threat. They twist history in order to conform to their views.
Just read the section of the death of Herod -
he was struck down because he was being worshipped by some as a god, and did not disclaim it.
Jesus accepted worship as God.
The contrast is not specifically pointed out in the bible, but the two situations are in there on purpose, of course.