Ritual Theory Baptism and BrisToday’s classCreation Unit ReviewWhy not just study the content?Functions of RitualsThree Kinds of RitualsBrit/BrisBaptismRitual TheoryBaptism and BrisUnit 2: RitualsToday’s classReview Creation UnitWhy thematic units and not content?Functions of ritualsKinds of ritualsBrisBaptismCreation Unit ReviewPrimary material: Creation stories: Gikuyu, Native-American collection, Enuma Elish, Hymn to Aton, Genesis 1-3, Creation of Japan, Hindu collectionOrigination story: Christian gospels (canon, and extra)Secondary material: Eliade (hierophany, axis mundi, sacred vs. profane space, orienting effect, religious vs. modern man)Ruether: culture  textsPagels: culture, selected texts, rejected textsWhy not just study the content of each tradition? Why do this course in thematic units?Why not just study the content?EmicEbay linkCyclistDetailsEticPatterns/themesWheels, DirectionCreation storiesBody, balanceRitualsBalance/crashTheodicyDesignGenderComplexity3000 level+Functions of RitualsDefinitions of religion (1st day)Belief centered, Western perspectiveDoesn’t fit many religionsShinto, kamiFour functions of ritualOrients participants to sacred space & timeConnects participants to divineConnects participants to larger communityIncludes the body as an instrument for religionO Brother Where Art Thou (1:15ff)How does this video illustrate the four basic functions of rituals?Three Kinds of RitualsCalendar RitualsDailyWeeklyMonthlyYearlySpecial Occasion RitualsOrdinationExorcismLife Cycle RitualsBirthComing of ageMarriage DeathNew Orleans FuneralBrit/BrisCardozo article Author emic/etic?Naming ceremonyGenderBrit milah – “covenant of circumcision”Gen 17:10-14 Grounded in text (many rituals in Judaism and other religions are not)Watchnight, location, Se’udat Mitzvah (feast)Video example Kind? Calendar, special occasion, life cycleFour functionsConnect to divine, larger community, sacred space/time, bodySee more photos at Holbrook: http://www.clholbrook.com/id84.htmlBaptismWhich kind of ritual?What role does Baptism play in Christianity? Baptism in the texts: Matthew 3; 28: 16-20; Romans 6:1-11Read the texts with a fresh approach, bracketing assumptionsModern baptism experiences in suburban Americahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm9MX6gb9-0&NR=1How does this video illustrate the four basic functions of rituals?When does the baptism begin?What would it be like for these participants if this ritual was taken away, not part of Christianity?Baptism of Jesus by John the BaptistWhat aspects are illustrated