Since the end of the 1970s, scholars of religion have debated about whether the critique of ideology should form part of the discipline's functions. This article attempts to contribute to that debate. The first part provides a sketch of Francis Bacon's doctrine of "idols". Using this theoretical background, we discuss how Science of Religion can play its critical role. We argue that it is important to consider the various potential "targets" of criticism. At least five such targets are relevant: a) the mechanisms and effects of religions; b) public discourses about religious phenomena; c) interdisciplinary communication processes; d) scholars of religion as private individuals engaged in their day-to-day lives; and e) Science of Religion's own self-conception as a discipline.