Changes

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89:8.1 [[Sacrificial]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redemption_%28theology%29 redemption] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_prostitution temple prostitution] were in reality [[modifications]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice human sacrifice]. Next came the mock sacrifice of daughters. This [[ceremony]] consisted in bloodletting, with [[dedication]] to life-long [[virginity]], and was a [[moral]] [[reaction]] to the older [[temple]] [[harlotry]]. In more recent times [[virgins]] dedicated themselves to the [[service]] of tending the [[sacred]] [[temple]] [[fire]]s.

89:8.1 [[Sacrificial]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redemption_%28theology%29 redemption] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_prostitution temple prostitution] were in reality [[modifications]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice human sacrifice]. Next came the mock sacrifice of daughters. This [[ceremony]] consisted in bloodletting, with [[dedication]] to life-long [[virginity]], and was a [[moral]] [[reaction]] to the older [[temple]] [[harlotry]]. In more recent times [[virgins]] dedicated themselves to the [[service]] of tending the [[sacred]] [[temple]] [[fire]]s.

89:8.2 [[Men]] [[eventually]] conceived the [[idea]] that the offering of some part of the [[body]] could take the place of the older and complete [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice human sacrifice]. Physical mutilation was also considered to be an acceptable substitute. Hair, nails, blood, and even fingers and toes were sacrificed. The later and well-nigh [[universal]] [[ancient]] [[rite]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision circumcision] was an outgrowth of the [[cult]] of partial [[sacrifice]]; it was purely sacrificial, no [[thought]] of [[hygiene]] being attached thereto. Men were circumcised; [[women]] had their [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_piercing ears pierced].

89:8.2 [[Men]] [[eventually]] conceived the [[idea]] that the offering of some part of the [[body]] could take the place of the older and complete [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice human sacrifice]. Physical mutilation was also considered to be an acceptable substitute. Hair, nails, blood, and even fingers and toes were sacrificed. The later and well-nigh [[universal]] [[ancient]] [[rite]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision circumcision] was an outgrowth of the [[cult]] of partial [[sacrifice]]; it was purely sacrificial, no [[thought]] of [[hygiene]] being attached thereto. Men were circumcised; [[women]] had their [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_piercing ears pierced].

89:8.3 Subsequently it became the [[custom]] to bind fingers together instead of cutting them off. Shaving the head and cutting the hair were likewise forms of [[religious]] [[devotion]]. The making of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eunuchs eunuchs] was at first a [[modification]] of the [[idea]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice human sacrifice]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_piercing Nose and lip piercing] is still [[practiced]] in Africa, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatooing tattooing] is an artistic [[evolution]] of the earlier crude scarring of the [[body]].

89:8.3 Subsequently it became the [[custom]] to bind fingers together instead of cutting them off. Shaving the head and cutting the hair were likewise forms of [[religious]] [[devotion]]. The making of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eunuchs eunuchs] was at first a [[modification]] of the [[idea]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice human sacrifice]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_piercing Nose and lip piercing] is still [[practiced]] in Africa, and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatooing tattooing] is an artistic [[evolution]] of the earlier crude scarring of the [[body]].

89:8.4 The [[custom]] of [[sacrifice]] [[eventually]] became [[associated]], as a result of advancing teachings, with the [[idea]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_%28religion%29 covenant]. At last, the gods were conceived of as entering into real [[agreements]] with man; and this was a major step in the [[stabilization]] of [[religion]]. [[Law]], a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_%28religion%29 covenant], takes the place of [[luck]], [[fear]], and [[superstition]].

89:8.4 The [[custom]] of [[sacrifice]] [[eventually]] became [[associated]], as a result of advancing teachings, with the [[idea]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_%28religion%29 covenant]. At last, the gods were conceived of as entering into real [[agreements]] with man; and this was a major step in the [[stabilization]] of [[religion]]. [[Law]], a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_%28religion%29 covenant], takes the place of [[luck]], [[fear]], and [[superstition]].

89:8.5 Man could never even [[dream]] of entering into a [[contract]] with [[Deity]] until his [[concept]] of [[God]] had advanced to the level whereon the [[universe]] [[Administration|controllers]] were envisioned as dependable. And man's early [[idea]] of God was so [[anthropomorphic]] that he was unable to conceive of a dependable [[Deity]] until he himself became [[relatively]] dependable, [[moral]], and [[ethical]].

89:8.5 Man could never even [[dream]] of entering into a [[contract]] with [[Deity]] until his [[concept]] of [[God]] had advanced to the level whereon the [[universe]] [[Administration|controllers]] were envisioned as dependable. And man's early [[idea]] of God was so [[anthropomorphic]] that he was unable to conceive of a dependable [[Deity]] until he himself became [[relatively]] dependable, [[moral]], and [[ethical]].

89:8.6 But the [[idea]] of making a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_%28religion%29 covenant] with the gods did finally arrive. [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_64 Evolutionary man] [[eventually]] acquired such [[moral]] [[dignity]] that he dared to bargain with his gods. And so the [[business]] of offering [[sacrifices]] gradually [[developed]] into the [[game]] of man's philosophic bargaining with God. And all this [[represented]] a new device for insuring against bad [[luck]] or, rather, an enhanced [[technique]] for the more definite purchase of [[prosperity]]. Do not entertain the mistaken [[idea]] that these early sacrifices were a free gift to the gods, a [[spontaneous]] offering of [[gratitude]] or thanksgiving; they were not [[expressions]] of true [[worship]].

89:8.6 But the [[idea]] of making a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_%28religion%29 covenant] with the gods did finally arrive. [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_64 Evolutionary man] [[eventually]] acquired such [[moral]] [[dignity]] that he dared to bargain with his gods. And so the [[business]] of offering [[sacrifices]] gradually [[developed]] into the [[game]] of man's philosophic bargaining with God. And all this [[represented]] a new device for insuring against bad [[luck]] or, rather, an enhanced [[technique]] for the more definite purchase of [[prosperity]]. Do not entertain the mistaken [[idea]] that these early sacrifices were a free gift to the gods, a [[spontaneous]] offering of [[gratitude]] or thanksgiving; they were not [[expressions]] of true [[worship]].

89:8.7 [[Primitive]] forms of [[prayer]] were nothing more nor less than bargaining with the spirits, an [[argument]] with the gods. It was a kind of bartering in which pleading and [[persuasion]] were substituted for something more tangible and costly. The developing [[commerce]] of the races had inculcated the spirit of trade and had [[developed]] the shrewdness of [[barter]]; and now these traits began to appear in man's [[worship]] [[methods]]. And as some men were better traders than others, so some were regarded as better prayers than others. The [[prayer]] of a just man was held in high [[esteem]]. A just man was one who had paid all accounts to the spirits, had fully discharged every [[ritual]] [[obligation]] to the gods.

89:8.7 [[Primitive]] forms of [[prayer]] were nothing more nor less than bargaining with the spirits, an [[argument]] with the gods. It was a kind of bartering in which pleading and [[persuasion]] were substituted for something more tangible and costly. The developing [[commerce]] of the races had inculcated the spirit of trade and had [[developed]] the shrewdness of [[barter]]; and now these traits began to appear in man's [[worship]] [[methods]]. And as some men were better traders than others, so some were regarded as better prayers than others. The [[prayer]] of a just man was held in high [[esteem]]. A just man was one who had paid all accounts to the spirits, had fully discharged every [[ritual]] [[obligation]] to the gods.