ullangoo wrote today at 10:58 PM
I think killing (and eating) children has always been extremely rare. Basic human instincts haven't changed that much.On the other hand: we know human sacrifice from many so-called primitive religions. There are indications that they at least sometimes were done with the victim's consent. What Abraham performs is obviously a cult ritual - the altar and so on.

ullangoo wrote today at 11:28 PM
I'm no expert on the Jewish tradition, but in those I know better, myths have been preserved orally for no one knows how long. While the substance of the story - the events - is usually preserved, the why and wherefore undergo many changes. Sometimes the interpretations become almost nonsensical.As far as I know, no forerunner of the Abraham story is preserved in writing, but it's likely there was one. The Torah was thoroughly edited around 500 b.c.e., I've been taught.

ullangoo wrote today at 11:31 PM
Btw: the Islamic tradition claims that it was Ismael, Abraham's son with Hagar, that he almost sacrificed. Nowadays a sheep is sacrificed every year on the assumed day.