The priesthood served a clientele rather than a membership.Most were served by an exclusive priesthood (hereditary caste/elite in society).Often these viewing areas made it impossible to catch a view of the god - the idol. Some temples did provide a viewing area for the general public.Only a privileged few (wealthy/powerful) could gain entrance to the temple.Temples were almost fully funded by the state and quite tightly regulated by the state.Paganism and temple attendance was vastly different in Rome (Roman society) than it was in any other parts of the world/societies. Stark goes on to explain that the reason paganism (and idolatry among Jews) was popular was simply because the monotheistic alternatives presented gods who were too unlike human beings. They ate, drank, loved, envied, fornicated, cheated, lied and otherwise set morally 'unedifying examples'.
Aside from having some magical powers, and perhaps the gift of immortality, the gods had normal concerns and shortcomings.
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