The local yokels were merely repeating what they have been told…like the good schoolboys they are.

Repeating the same kinds of prejudice one finds in the bible.

Does the bible condemn homosexuality? Yes.
Does the bible regard women as inferior? Yes.
Does the bible condemn divorce? Yes.
People of other religions? Yes.
Does the bible uphold slavery? Yes.
Polygamy? Yes.
Animal sacrifice? Yes.

Theres a great misconception among present day christians that the many forms of religious prejudice throughout history are somehow a perversion of the original intent, done in Gods name.

No, actually the original intent was the blueprint from whence it came.

Except youll notice that the forms of wrath have evolved over time.

When the oldest parts of the old testament were written, there was no hebrew concept of hell or the devil. And because merely killing you didnt seem like enough of a deterrent, the hebrew writers devised a multi-generational approach.

Thus we read from the Ten Commandments in Leviticus:

“You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me.”

This was later replaced in the time of Jesus by an eternity in the chasm of fire.