Final answer:
The passages pertain to the historical use of Christian doctrine to justify inhumane actions and highlight the hypocrisy in certain Christian behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passages highlight the complex relationship between Christianity and moral conduct throughout history, touching on themes such as the justification of cruelty, religious hypocrisy, and the role of faith in guiding ethical behavior. These excerpts reflect on the ways in which Christian individuals and institutions have, at times, utilized their beliefs to justify actions that seem at odds with the core teachings of compassion and mercy that are fundamental to the faith. From the Mayans' human sacrifices to the slaveholders' cruelty, the notion of using religion as a shield for inhumane acts is a recurring motif.
The hypocrisy within certain Christian practices is evident through the comparison between the condemnation of minor offenses and the acceptance, or even endorsement, of severe moral transgressions like slavery. Moreover, there is acknowledgment of the selective application of religious teachings, where more weight is given to ritual and outward appearance rather than the 'weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith.'