Writing Articles on Idolatry
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Question
What are the halachic guidelines regarding reading and writing encyclopedic entries on matters of idolatry?
Answer
Hello,
It is forbidden to study the methods of idol worship and the practices of those who serve them.
The only permission to study the forms of worship is solely to understand which part of the worship is prohibited and in which actions the worshiped object is forbidden. This is necessary for making halachic decisions.
According to this, the Igrot Moshe wrote that permission is granted only to a rabbi who comes to instruct on this matter, not to every person.
It is also permissible to describe the methods of idolatry to demean it in the eyes of the listeners.
Regarding your question, there is no permission to study the ways of idolatry in order to write encyclopedic entries on the subject. This also constitutes a prohibition as it misleads readers by providing them with forbidden knowledge.
Source
Talmud Sanhedrin 100. Rambam, Avodah Zarah, Chapter 2, Halacha 2, Igrot Moshe, Yoreh De'ah, Part 2, Siman 111