Religion and Rituals

Souls

Early humans believe that two entities inhabit the body. One is active during the day the other—a soul— is active during sleep and trance

• animism: the belief in souls (Edward Taylor)

Animism

The belief in souls

Impersonal power or force — Manna

A sacred, impersonal force existing in the universe, so named in Melanesia and Polynesia

Impersonal power or force — the Yin and Yang

The two contrary and mutually complementary forces that together form everything that exists, as expressed in ancient Chinese philosophy

• symbol of balance

Deities

The perfect and all-powerful spirit(s) that is (are) worshipped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe, often personified

Most religions include these spiritual beings:

• souls

• gods

• demons

• charms

• talismans

Similarities and differences between magic and religion (James Frazer)

• magic and religion can be both regarded as beliefs in supernaturals beings and powers

• the practitioners of both religion and magic perform rituals

• both religion and magic fulfill certain social and psychological functions

Magic

A mode of rationality or way of thinking that looks to
invisible forces to influence events, effect change in material
conditions, or present the illusion of change

• supernatural practices and techniques intended to accomplish specific aims

  • a type of primitive science, a more optimistic view on life and existence

Religion

Human beings’ relation to that which they regard as
holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial
reverence. It is also commonly regarded as consisting of the way
people deal with ultimate concerns about their lives and their
fate after death

• a conciliatory view toward the supernatural, involving prayer and supplication to a high power

  • highly organized

  • large-scaled

  • often with a written tradition

Religion and magic reflect different world views

Religion and magic are not mutually exclusive. Most religious systems include magic practices

Magic

• supernatural practices and techniques intended to accomplish specific aims

  • a type of primitive science, a more optimistic view on life and existence

Religion

• A conciliatory view toward the supernatural,
  involving prayer and supplication to a higher power

  • Highly organized

  • Large-scaled

  • Often with a written tradition

Ritual

A formal, symbolic act or event consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order

Effect of rituals

Through formal, stylized, and repetitive actions, rituals can

• provide a way to practice a belief in a consistent form and build a community

• convey and reinforce the social order and values of the practitioners

Rites of passage — a special type of ritual

Rituals marking transitions from one place, status, or stage of life to another

• rites of passage can be individual or collective

Three phases of a rite of passage:

1. Separation: withdraw from ordinary society

2. Liminality: in-between phase, marked by a temporary suspension of social status and a reversal of ordinary behavior

3. incorporation: re-enter society with new status

An evolutionary typology (Edward Taylor)

According to the number of supernatural beings in a religion

• animism: everything has a soul (1st stage)

• polytheism: belief in multiple deities (2nd stage)

• monotheism: belief in a single, all-powerful deity (3rd stage)

• science: a new belief system (final stage)

Statistics about worl religions (Pew Research Center 2012)

• 5.8 billion people (84% of the world’s population in 2010 were religiously affiliated)

• 1.1 billion (16%) lacked any religios affiliations (people who lack religious affiliations are not necessarily atheist)

What role do religions play in people’s lives?

• explaining things, providing reasons, and reducing anxiety and uncertainty

• creating community

• instill values and exerting social control

• often intertwined with politics and economy

An organizational typology (Anthony Wallace)

According to the ways religious rituals are organized:

• individualistic: each individual has a special relationship with the supernatural power

• shamanistic: shamans as organizers

• communal: no religios specialists

• ecclesiastical: a full time priesthood

Religious pluralism in contemporary world

• religious pluralism: followers of many different religions live within a society

• most modern nations face the issue of accommodating religious pluralism