But, strictly speaking, this mythology was no essential part of ancient religion, for it had no sacred sanction … - William Robertson Smith

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To see the convulsions, agonies and tortures of a poor fellow-creature, whom they cannot restore nor recompense, dying to gratify luxury and tickle callous and rank organs, must require a rocky heart, and a great degree of cruelty and ferocity. I cannot find any great difference between feeding on human flesh and feeding on animal flesh, except custom and practice.

William Robertson Smith

But, strictly speaking, this mythology was no essential part of ancient religion, for it had no sacred sanction and no binding force on the worshippers.

Aquariums, Essentials, Force, Part, Religion, Sanction

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We are so accustomed to think of religion as a thing between individual men and God that we can hardly enter into the idea of a religion in which a whole nation in its national organisation appears as the religious unit.

Men, Religion, Religious, Thing, Thinking, Unit

Religion did not exist for the saving of souls but for the preservation and welfare of society, and in all that was necessary to this end every man had to take his part, or break with the domestic and political community to which he belonged.

Belonged, Community, Men, Political, Religion, Souls

The myths connected with individual sanctuaries and ceremonies were merely part of the apparatus of the worship; they served to excite the fancy and sustain the interest of the worshipper. . . no one cared what he believed about its origin.

Believed, Cared, Ceremonies, Fancy, Sanctuary, Worship

Belief in a certain series of myths was neither obligatory as a part of the true religion, nor was it supposed that, by believing, a man acquired religious merit and conciliated the favour of the gods.

Believe, Gods, Men, Religious, True

The land of a god corresponds with the land of his worshipers.

Land, Corresponds, God, Worshipers