In the kingdoms of the world, position meant self-aggrandizement. The people were supposed to exist for the benefit of the ruling classes. Influence, wealth, education, were so many means of gaining control of the masses for the use of the leaders. The higher classes were to think, decide, enjoy, and rule; the lower were to obey and serve. Religion, like all things else, was a matter of authority. The people were expected to believe and practice as their superiors directed. The right of man as man, to think and act for himself, was wholly unrecognized.

I verdens riger betød høje stillinger selvophøjelse. Man regnede med, at folket var til for at gavne de herskende klasser. Indflydelse, rigdom og uddannelse var midler til at opnå herredømmet over masserne, så de kunne udnyttes af de ledende. De højere samfundsklasser skulle tænke, afgøre, nyde og herske, og de lavere skulle adlyde og tjene. Gudsdyrkelsen var ligesom alt andet et spørgsmål om myndighed. Man ventede af folket, at de skulle tro og handle efter deres foresattes anvisning. Menneskets ret til som menneske selv at tænke og handle så man helt bort fra.