Changes

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. [http://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 [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]].

89:8.7 [[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.

89:8.8 Early [[prayer]] was hardly [[worship]]; it was a bargaining [[petition]] for [[health]], [[wealth]], and life. And in many respects [[prayers]] have not much changed with the passing of the ages. They are still read out of [[books]], [[recited]] formally, and [[written]] out for emplacement on wheels and for hanging on trees, where the blowing of the [[winds]] will save man the trouble of expending his own [[breath]].

89:8.8 Early [[prayer]] was hardly [[worship]]; it was a bargaining [[petition]] for [[health]], [[wealth]], and life. And in many respects [[prayers]] have not much changed with the passing of the ages. They are still read out of [[books]], [[recited]] formally, and [[written]] out for emplacement on wheels and for hanging on trees, where the blowing of the [[winds]] will save man the trouble of expending his own [[breath]].

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[[Category:Paper 89 - Sin, Sacrifice, and Atonement]]

[[Category:Paper 89 - Sin, Sacrifice, and Atonement]]