no subject

I think much religion originally came to pass as a way for humans to try to influence things not directly under their control, such as weather, disease, food sources, other humans, and so forth.

If that's so, it stands to reason that the original concepts of deities might include the notion that they were scary and capricious entities that could punish just as well as reward.

Life *is* pretty scary and capricious and not particularly well under control.

no subject

I think much religion originally came to pass as a way for humans to try to influence things not directly under their control, such as weather, disease, food sources, other humans, and so forth.

If that's so, it stands to reason that the original concepts of deities might include the notion that they were scary and capricious entities that could punish just as well as reward.

Life *is* pretty scary and capricious and not particularly well under control.