What were the pagan temples of the old Greek and Roman gods?
The pagan temples of the old Greek and Roman gods functioned as glorified houses of prostitution, operating in the name of religion. Because idolatry has no moral code, at the core of such mythological religions was immorality, and those temples institutionalized sexual vice rather than moral restraint.
Les explains that the pagan temples of the old Greek and Roman gods were just glorified houses of prostitution in the name of religion. He ties this directly to idolatry: because idolatry has no moral code, it cannot restrain people, so idolatry leads to uncleanness and the dishonoring of the body. The progression is idolatry in verse 23, then immorality in verse 24. He also notes that mankind is never satisfied to stay on that level, and that anything contributing to society’s degeneracy—such as alcohol, prostitution, and gambling—will be bought. Even during the Depression, people found money for booze and immorality while lacking food, shelter, and clothes for their children.