--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now imagine what happened when people…" description: "\"“Now imagine what happened when people would offer a sacrifice but then it didn’t rain or the sun didn’t shine or their animals still got diseases or t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c76/rob-bell-1025_religion_now-imagine-what-happened-when-people-wo_1724625.png" --- # Now imagine what happened when people would offer a… ![“Now imagine what happened when people would offer a sacrifice but then it didn’t rain or the sun didn’t shine or their animals still got diseases or they were unable to have children—obviously, they concluded, they didn’t offer enough. And so they offered more. And more and more. Because religion…” quote by Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c76/rob-bell-1025_religion_now-imagine-what-happened-when-people-wo_1724625.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c76/rob-bell-1025_religion_now-imagine-what-happened-when-people-wo_1724625.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c76/rob-bell-1025_religion_now-imagine-what-happened-when-people-wo_1724625.png) > ““Now imagine what happened when people would offer a sacrifice but then it didn’t rain or the sun didn’t shine or their animals still got diseases or they were unable to have children—obviously, they concluded, they didn’t offer enough. And so they offered more. And more and more. Because religion had built into it from the very beginning something called anxiety. You never knew where you stood with the gods. The gods are angry, the gods are demanding, and if you don’t please them, they will punish you by bringing calamity. But what if things went well? What if it rained just the right amount and the sun shone just the right amount—what if it appeared that the gods were pleased with you? Well then, you’d need to offer them thanks. But how would you ever know if you’d properly showed them how grateful you were? How would you know you’d offered ENOUGH? If things went well, you never knew if you’d been grateful enough and offered enough, and if things didn’t go well clearly you hadn’t done . . . enough. Anxiety either way.”” [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human rituals often create endless cycles of offering and gratitude, driven by fear of divine displeasure and uncertainty about adequacy. **In simple terms:** Religious practices can cause perpetual anxiety about pleasing gods. Key Takeaway Recognize and break the cycle of anxious offering. Themes religion anxiety ritual gratitude uncertainty Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - personal worship - community festivals - prayer gatherings - spiritual counseling Key Concepts theology psychology social control Questions to Reflect On - Do you equate worth with external approval? - How can gratitude be expressed without fear? A Different Perspective Anxiety may also stem from personal insecurities, not just religious expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) ## Related quotes > [“The story is like the other stories about gods demanding acts of devotion and obedience. Gods who are never satisfied. 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How refreshing Vollrath's sacrifice was. He didn't beg for his life. He didn't embarrasss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-beddor/redd-stared-at-the-bald-head-bent-down-before-her-how-refreshing/) [Frank Beddor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-beddor/) > [And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-k-dellenbach/and-ye-shall-offer-for-a-sacrifice-unto-me-a-broken-heart-and-a/) Robert K. Dellenbach > [Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks? 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It's just the life that we live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shelton/you-gotta-make-sacrifices-sometimes-it-s-just-the-life-that-we-live/) [Ben Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shelton/) ## More by Rob Bell > [If the gospel isn't good news for everybody, then it isn't good news for anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/if-the-gospel-isn-t-good-news-for-everybody-then-it-isn-t-good-news/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Why blame the dark for being dark? 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What if it rained just the right amount and the sun shone just the right amount—what if it appeared that the gods were pleased with you? Well then, you’d need to offer them thanks. But how would you ever know if you’d properly showed them how grateful you were? How would you know you’d offered ENOUGH? If things went well, you never knew if you’d been grateful enough and offered enough, and if things didn’t go well clearly you hadn’t done . . . enough. 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