Sacrifice is a notion totally unknown to God.

Sacrifice is a notion totally unknown to God. It arises solely from fear, and frightened people can be vicious. Sacrificing in any way is a violation of my injunction that you should be merciful even as your Father in Heaven is merciful. It has been hard for many Christians to realize that this applies to themselves. Good teachers never terrorize their students. To terrorize is to attack, and this results in rejection of what the teacher offers. The result is learning failure. T-3.I.4:1-7

A Course in Miracles . Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

How often have Christian preachers given “fire and brimstone” sermons and “put the fear of god” in people “for their own good?” This is nothing Jesus ever taught or did.

In Alcoholics Anonymous it is stated, in its eleventh tradition, that its program is to be offered based on attraction not on promotion. Spiritual truth, goodness, and beauty is recognized, shared and grown in the same way.

In Unitarian Universalism we join together to affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process in an effort to welcome all people in our covenantal relationship to affirm and promote our jointly held principles..

Today, it is suggested that we become aware of sacrifice as a requirement for spiritual growth to be sometimes a form of attack based on power relations rather than a means of experiencing unconditional love. Honey is better than vinegar. The carrot is better than the stick.