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→Examples in the New World
In the New World, Aztec belief also put sacrifice, similar to many Old World beliefs, as a key concept in how humans related to the gods. Sacrifice, like in the Old World, displays a hierarchical power structure where gods demand obedience and worship from their subject humans. The national god was Huitzilopochtli, who demanded blood to be placated. In this case, similar to the Old World, sacrifice was intended to keep Huitzilopochtli and other gods happy, as humans owed them a blood debt. In the case of Aztecs, if gods were angry the results could be catastrophic, as they can turn day into night and destroy even light. Thus, unlike most Old World societies, human sacrifice was used as a means to repay this blood debt and was the only way to keep the gods happy. The ancient Maya did worship Hunab-Ku, who is a type of all knowing and powerful god. Purpose in life was similarly to make the gods happy through sacrifice, although the Maya also believed their lives could be tied to the fate of their calendar that would expire in the cycle of destruction and recreation experienced at the end of each Earth. In at least one known set of Inca beliefs, Viracocha was the supreme creator god, who is symbolized by the sun and storms. This god gives and makes life possible. However, humans were only a second attempt, as the first beings on Earth were giants. Nevertheless, humanity owes its existence to Viracocha and, in cases, this sacrifice demanded human sacrifice. In a similar manner, humanity was ruled by the heirarhcy of gods with Viracocha at the top, with humanity also owing gods a type of blood debt (Figure 2).<ref>For more on some of the major ancient states in the New World and their beliefs, see: Murphy, J. (Ed.), 2014. <i>Gods & goddesses of the Inca, Maya, and Aztecs civilizations, Gods and goddesses of mythology </i>. Rosen Educational Services, New York.</ref>
In the Algonquin tradition, Gitche Manitou was a spirit being who created life. All things had balance with other life, in the concept of Manitou, which is similar to beliefs such as Shintoism. In this case, beings are not in a type of hierarchy of power with their creator but there is a balance in life that attempts to maintain harmony in the world through different forms of life, with humans being one of these forms that are also needed to keep harmony. This lack of clear hierarchy of power distinguishes it from Old World and even other beliefs from the New World that generally emphasized a hierarchy of power among gods and beings. Hopi mythology also emphasizes balance and harmony. Tawa is the creator spirit, but things, including humans, are created to be in harmony with each other. The Kachina dancers and masks that Hopi wore were intended to help maintain harmony in the world, preventing chaos from reigning, which may initiate the end of the world. In general, North American native communities displayed far less hierarchy in the relationship between spirits/gods and humanitieshumanity, emphasizing connective relationships that keeps a type of balance or harmony.<ref>For more on native North American beliefs, see: Sullivan, L.E., 2003. <i>Native religions and cultures of North America</i>. Continuum, New York. </ref>
[[File:vira.jpeg|thumb|Figure 2. Since pre-Inca Andean cultures, Viracocha was seen as a creator god requiring a blood debt to be paid.]]
