The same thing which is now called Christian religion existed among the ancients. They have begun to call 'Christian' the true religion which existed before.
When I am furious about something, I sometimes beat the ground or a tree with my walking stick. But I certainly do not believe that the ground is to blame or that my beating can help anything... And all rites are of this kind.
What's that supposed to mean? A wolf's head on a stick. Big wolf barbecue tonight? Bring your own wolf?
There's never been a time when there hasn't been ritualistic dancing, and I think clubbing is our modern incarnation of that.
Human life began in flight and fear. Religion rose from rituals of propitiation, spells to lull the punishing elements.
Economics precedes religion; worship grew out of eating, not the other way around.
