Life is short, and the time of death is uncertain; so apply yourself to meditation. avoid doing evil, and acquire merit, to the best of your ability, even at the cost of life itself. in short, act so that you will have no cause to be ashamed of yourselves; and hold fast to this rule." wouldn't most religious agree with the idea of acting in such a way as to not be ashamed of your actions?

Yes. Most religious people would agree that individuals should commit themselves to a life of purpose and serving a higher power. A common teaching of most common religions is the need to serve a higher power. This includes avoiding sin and living one’s life to the best of one’s ability in order to be of value to others

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.