Since we are discussing history: Reading few good books on subject of Aztecs, they were conquered roughly 500 years ago year. 1519. Corts and Montezuma Maurice Collis, this based off first hand account "The Conquest of New Spain" translated Bernaz Diaz del Castillo:
1) Cortez talented military & political leader (people person), religious- held mass all the time, interested in conversion of souls at same time pursuit of fame and fortune/mistress. Very much a mixed bag. Unlike the English dealing with Indians- Spanish converted and married them, quickly integrated with them.
2) Aztecs in 1500s still performed human sacrifice. Very superstitious, offer human sacrifice all the time. Interesting tidbits:
3) I find the story of Quetzalcoatl fascinating, he is like a Jesus that came to them centuries before and they rejected his teaching of love. It kind of answers the atheist questions- what if people have never heard of Jesus. My 2 cents answer - God will provide a way, he writes right and wrong in our hearts, he sends people into our lives.
1) Cortez talented military & political leader (people person), religious- held mass all the time, interested in conversion of souls at same time pursuit of fame and fortune/mistress. Very much a mixed bag. Unlike the English dealing with Indians- Spanish converted and married them, quickly integrated with them.
2) Aztecs in 1500s still performed human sacrifice. Very superstitious, offer human sacrifice all the time. Interesting tidbits:
- They had no metal arms, no wheels, and no arch in architecture. But society very organized, great sculpting ability.
- Mel Gibson's Apocalypto movie is somewhat accurate. They would have as many as up to 40-80K human sacrifices in a day. Cut out beating heart to keep the god's happy. They preyed on the neighboring weaker tribes.
- They tried to maim instead of kill enemy- want to sacrifice them
3) I find the story of Quetzalcoatl fascinating, he is like a Jesus that came to them centuries before and they rejected his teaching of love. It kind of answers the atheist questions- what if people have never heard of Jesus. My 2 cents answer - God will provide a way, he writes right and wrong in our hearts, he sends people into our lives.