All religions have in common the periodical childlike surrender to a Provider
or providers who dispense earthly fortune as well as spiritual health; some
demonstrations of man's smallness by means of reduced posture and humble
gesture, the admission in prayer and song of misdeeds, of misthoughts, and
of evil intentions; fervent appeal for inner unification by divine guidance;
and finally, the insight that individual trust must become part of the ritual
practice of man, and must become a sign of trustworthiness in the community.
-- psychologist Erik Erikson