If you're looking for examples of "long-lived civilizations" on Earth, you might be interested in the longest-living cultural institutions. Islam, Christianity and Judaism are such millennia-old institutions. And, a bit contrary to GP's point, all of them have, or had, limited bans on interest.
I think this is because of the context at the time. Your borrower should be aware of what they're signing up for. Debtor's prisons also existed. There is a lot different then than now and I think lending is a much safer activity today if is regulated properly.
I like to think of religion as early law. Pork was also probably not a very healthy meat to eat at the time. Now it is probably an outdated thing.
Perhaps. I'm not saying there was any divine knowledge involved, whether about interest or pork. It's just that if you're looking for evidence in favor of the quote at the beginning of this thread, these three organized religions - one of the longest-living cultural institutions on the planet - are good examples.
