Ritual The Sacred Quest, chap. 5

Where do you see ritual today? Non-religious examples Non-religious examples Sports: players, fans Sports: players, fans Patriotism Patriotism Other? Other? Religious examples Religious examples Wat Wat Islam video Islam video Catholic Mass Catholic Mass

What is ritual? Bodily pattern of actions, which is repeated Bodily pattern of actions, which is repeated Human being is both body and spirit; spirituality includes both Human being is both body and spirit; spirituality includes both “making faith visible” (p. 87) “making faith visible” (p. 87) Symbol of faith, just like language Symbol of faith, just like language “Rituals are ways of entering the realm of the sacred” (p. 79) “Rituals are ways of entering the realm of the sacred” (p. 79) Mark out time, space, deeper beliefs Mark out time, space, deeper beliefs Can act out a story Can act out a story Forms community Forms community Forms self-understanding Forms self-understanding

Types of ritual Rites of passage Rites of passage Birth: circumcision, baptism Birth: circumcision, baptism Initiation: Bar/bat mitzvah, confirmation Initiation: Bar/bat mitzvah, confirmation Mourning and death Mourning and death Temporal rites and celebrations Temporal rites and celebrations Seasons, harvest Seasons, harvest Christian liturgical year (Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, Pentecost) Christian liturgical year (Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, Pentecost)

Religious meaning of ritual Commemorate: stories, people, events, ideas Commemorate: stories, people, events, ideas Adoration: worship Adoration: worship Acknowledges sovereignty of the sacred Acknowledges sovereignty of the sacred Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Goodness of world is a gift from the sacred Goodness of world is a gift from the sacred Petition: asking for aid Petition: asking for aid Penance/Purification Penance/Purification

Problems of ritual Ritual without meaning = empty gesture Ritual without meaning = empty gesture Reaction: lose rituals, focus on feelings and moral reform Reaction: lose rituals, focus on feelings and moral reform Ritual as exercise of power = superstition Ritual as exercise of power = superstition