Primitive religions consisted mainly in the worship of the powers of nature.... the essential thing in religion was not morality, but the ceremonial method of placating the god, securing his gifts, and ascertaining his wishes. He might even be pleased best by immoral actions, by the immolation of human victims, by the sacrifice of woman's chastity, or by the burning of the first born.

p. 4 - Christianity and the Social Crisis (1907) - Ch.1 The Historical Roots of Christianity the Hebrew Prophets