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Typically the gods did not look favorably on inferior product being placed on the alter. Even King Kong demands the hottest young babe in the tribe, does he not? Did anyone ever “sacrifice” hoary old men or women to gods? (Only in passage of kingship did humans ritually kille the elder males.)

So “religious” thinking would tend to demand something dear. This is inline with an inherent bug in human psyche — a false thought - that God wants something from us and is prone to making unreasonable demands from humanity.

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We live in an age so devoid of sacrifice that it's hard for us to wrap our heads around why this was so common and so important. This act would add a layer of irrefutable legitimacy to the groups religious beliefs, and as such would make those beliefs into a unbreakable social bond. Grief is a powerful social glue, and when you use it so intentionally and solemnly it becomes a core part of the social fabric that held these groups together for hundreds of years in an ultra-hostile environment.

There are gangs where you have to kill somebody to become a full member. Same concept.

Some of the Nordic bog bodies speculated to be human sacrifices, were not exactly the most youthful and sprightly people of their society.

> Typically the gods did not look favorably on inferior product being placed on the alter.

I bet "the gods" were especially apt to take that attitude in the cultures where people ate the sacrifice afterwards.

“Strictly speaking, you see, it’s prayers that go up to the gods,” said the priest doubtfully.

“As I understand it,” said Moist, “the gift of sausages are offered to Offler by being fried, yes? And the spirit of the sausages ascends unto Offler by means of the smell? And then you eat the sausages?”

“Ah, no. Not exactly. Not at all,” said the young priest, who knew this one. “It might look like that to the uninitiated, but, as you say, the true sausagidity goes straight to Offler. He, of course, eats the spirit of the sausages. We eat the mere earthly shell, which believe me turns to dust and ashes in our mouths.”

“That would explain why the smell of sausages is always better than the actual sausage, then?” said Moist. “I’ve often noticed that.”

The priest was impressed. “Are you a theologian, sir?”

Brilliant. Where is this from?

Terry Pratchett. I think "Making Money".

Going Postal IIRC.

Some may discern the taint of dualism in this (very amusing) dialogue.

https://radhesiam.com/bhagavadgita-quotes/bhagavad-gita-9-24...

There is this possibility to consider. Another Muslim Saint, Junaid (R), said “Water takes the color of the cup it is poured in”. The Prophet (SAWS) said “There is no I but Allah”.

You can always fashion a new cup to suit your contingent condition. But the spirit of Sacrifice, and the Enjoying of the pleasures is eternal and immutable. Is it possible that ritual sacrifice, however distorted by the understanding of ancient people, is an intrinsic impetus of the conscious knowing, feeling, desiring (and at times afflicted) being known as Human, guiding us to detachment so that we may too enjoy without attachment, like God.

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