Re: "...For example, didn't the "Golden Calf" represent the worship of idols?..."
Well...yes...and no!
Sallie "Big Sid" Tortorini, renowned entrepeneur, actually opened Golden Calf West, in Santa Monica; and also Golden Calf East, in Atlantic City.
The west coast club promoted idolatry by having pole dancers wearing thongs. This club made the most money.
The east coast location offered a split showroom...steak dinner & no smoking on one side; thonged pole dancing on the other. It was a "free will" strip club, because you could actually choose.
Eventually, "Big Sid" sold his Golden Calf East to highroller "Brother" Bennie Scarducci.
What started out as a "good thing", just didn't work out!