One of the benefits of studying the work of Rene Girard is that he not only explains one aspect of the ancient sacrificial systems, but because he was an anthropologist he also sheds light on what happens within society and the dynamics of the nation or group.
What happens when a society descends into crisis and then chaos? Eventually the group comes together to find what the problem is, and they affix blame on a particular individual or group. Because the chaos is irrational and there is no instantly identifiable cause, the person or group they pick on will seem to be random. However, the propagandists for the tribe will find reasons why that person or group are the cause of the problem. Read the whole post at my main blog here.