Religion and language, uniquely human, are closely allied, because each allows the agent to enter timeless realms. Ritual refers to invisible partners too. Structuralists say that religion exists because it works, not because it corresponds to anything real. A biological explanation will assume some form of imprinting, which B. holds to be possible, fostered by repetition and paternal authority. Sheer terror, of life and its dangers, also makes a deep impression and is a universal force.
Religion offers hope, when there is none.
In religion no act is found more often than sacrifice, and B. describes the ancient and still-modern practice of striking off a finger in times of extreme danger, in effect a pars pro toto. Even in paleolithic caves we find paintings of mutilated hands. Analogies, yes, B. agrees, but not homologies. Even mythic reflexes of this pattern, the magical pursuit where dropped objects delay a pursuer, are found all over the world. Castration and circumcision, drastic forms of pars pro toto , appear to belong to the same pattern.