Civil Religions are Derivative, Even Parasitic, on Theist Religions

Kyoto, civil religions are derivative, even parasitic, on theist religions. When you find a civil religion, you can be sure that earlier in the same society, there was a theist religion from which the civil religion has copied most of its basic ideas. What drives civil religions is the attempt to meet the same personal and emotional needs as theist religions, but without the challenge and burden of interaction with the theosphere. It's much more comfortable when you don't have to deal with anything in the universe that's potentially bigger or smarter than you are! - John Michael Greer