Eminence without merit earns deference without esteem.

They were given the same deference as the Caucasians.

He was the subject of a little respectful ribbing. But he was, of course, the captain, which meant he had to do lots of the ribbing himself.

What we might call, by way of eminence, the Dismal Science

[She once said she wanted to be a sort of ambassador,] a queen of people's hearts, ... she earns a lot of respect and admiration.

Perhaps the individual is so viable a god because he can actually understand the ceremonial significance of the way he is treated, and quite on his own can respond dramatically to what is proffered him. In contacts between such deities there is no need for middlemen; each of these gods is able to serve as his own priest.