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ECU RELI 1000 - Rituals

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RELI 1000 Lecture 9 • RitualGreek word meaning “a thing done”A set of repeated actions directed towards the sacredThe main purpose is to evokes sacred memoryRitual refers to all activities that have been “set apart for the sacred purposes.” • Types and PurposeRituals are performed for Worship: enactment of religious story in recognition of the sovereignty of the sacredPetition: ask or beg for favors of either spiritual/ material nature; helps to resolve social tension.Dedication: legitimize the transition process. Purification & atonement: prepare oneself to encounter the sacredE.g ritual of ablution among Muslims, Hindus & blessing in the Catholic church. Education: helps to dramatize & articulate / strengthen a community’s pattern of belief & behaviorThanksgiving: giving a gift; range from sacrifice to adorning of holy places with flowers• Myth Reenactment is a common RitualMost religious rituals dramatizes/ acts out religious stories. Judaism: The Passover is a time of gathering to eat a seder meal to commemorate the meal the Jews had just just before they left Egypt & to remember the enslavement of theirpeople.Christianity: These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.The Holy Communion –A meal celebrated to reenact events connected with the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. • Ashura Passion Plays in Islam Shi’i Muslims ritual - “Passion plays” is celebrated in the month of Muharram to reenact the martyrdom of Husayn at Karbala in 692CE.Husayn, Ali’s son, was killed in a battle while defending Islam against corruption is remembered as a martyr • Rites of passage (Life Cycle rituals) Often mark critical events in one life journeyBirth / Puberty / Marriage / DeathThey involve knowledge that helps one to transition difficult stages of life.• Stage patterns in Rites of PassageThree ritual patterns often displayed are:Separation stage: Removal of individual from the old statusTransition stage (the liminal state): Preparation to accept new station,- anti-structure (often a status with no rules)Reincorporation stage: Returns to the community in a new status.• Rites of Passage – Vision Quest The Life Cycle: Birth (T1) à Adulthood (T2) à Marriage (T3) à Death (T4)• Life Crisis Rituals (Healing rituals)Illness is a physical, social and spiritual phenomenon. Germs, virus or evils spirits may cause illness.e.g. miscarriage, failure to hunt, drought can be caused by supernatural powers Religious specialists- Shamans, diviners, priests sheikhs serve as intermediaries between spiritual (sacred) and (profane) secular world.They use sacred power to heal & exorcise/ward off spirits that cause illness / witchcraft. • Healing /Exorcism Exorcism is a common practice in various religions.Judaism: Spirit possession / exorcism reportedChristianity: Jesus exorcised and healed as signs of the coming kingdomIslam: Witchcraft and Evil spirit – jinns were prominent in early Islam and led to frequent acts of exorcism in the name of Allah. • Vocational Ritual Rites that prepare one for a religious role.Initiation of priest/ PriestessSanteria initiation of babalorisha Yoruba – initiation of babalawoChristianity – priest dedication rituals Note: In indigenous religions, vocational rites also follow the pattern of – separation,transition and incorporation.• Calendar / Seasonal Ritual Associated with rhythmic changes in nature: weather season, historical events, cycle of the sun or moonIntended for communal good/ renewal: Christmas in ChristianityPassover in JudaismPilgrimage (Hajj) in Islam• Thanksgiving RitualSacrifice is a common form of thanksgiving ritualGifts ranges from food offerings to animals & even human sacrifice of blood sheddingUsed to express & evoke human emotion - fear, guilt, adoration, homage and gratitude. The intention is to obligate the receiver to act in kind, by providing


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