according to their religion, the maya believed that

given:
kings and priest could communicate with gods
their kings should be worshipped as living gods
priests and nobles should not mix together
human sacrafice was forbidden by gods

1 answer

Based on the beliefs you've provided, here are some insights into Maya religion:

  1. Kings and Priests Could Communicate with Gods: The Maya believed that their rulers, especially kings, had a special connection to the divine. They often performed rituals and ceremonies to communicate with the gods and seek their favor.

  2. Their Kings Should Be Worshipped as Living Gods: Maya kings were often viewed as divine or semi-divine figures. They were believed to embody the gods on Earth and were worshipped by the people. This unique status allowed them to legitimize their rule and maintain societal order.

  3. Priests and Nobles Should Not Mix Together: This suggests a clear social hierarchy within Maya society, where priests (who performed religious rituals) and nobles (who were political leaders) had distinct roles. Separation of these classes likely helped maintain the power dynamics and the structure of Maya society.

  4. Human Sacrifice Was Forbidden by Gods: This statement contradicts historical evidence suggesting that human sacrifice was a part of some Maya rituals, especially to appease gods or during important ceremonies. However, it's possible that certain beliefs or specific deities might have forbade it in certain contexts.

Overall, the Maya religion was complex and nuanced, involving elements of governance, societal structure, and ritual practices, where the roles of kings, priests, and nobles were distinctly defined, and their relationships with the divine were central to their worldview.