John describes himself as having a strong need to belong to a group. what do you call this feeling?

This feeling is called belongingness.

Explanation:

Belongingness is the human feeling that makes one yearn for acceptance either by family or friends or people of certain groups like religion.

People have a great desire to be part of something , there is always a need to belong or associate with a particular group or people inorder to feel like we are serving our purpose on earth what ever that purpose is to an individual.

it depends on which society you are referring to. many civilization performed rituals so the gods would with their growing season but the most well known is that of the aztecs. they would make sacrifices, usually animals, but sometimes humans as well.