The value of rituals

[Ana the Ist]

What is the value of ritual. Ritual is such an instinctive thing. In our churches (and not just Christian) our services involve wearing of garments, ritual movements about the alter, use of candles and incense and chants or ritual singing. The singing heightens your emotions and the ritual itself draws you in and adds meaning to the purpose of why you’re there. And Im not criticising it. I like the ritual, for reasons I’m not sure I’ve thought through.

And it’s not about religion. When I lost someone close to me I lit candles, sat in a specific place and light incense, observe special dates, write letters….and I still do.

But not everyone agrees with it seeing ritual as a sideshow that detracts from the true meaning of religion.

Ritual, in my opinion, is used to create a sense of shared experience. You go through the rituals, as does another person, and together you share a unique (somewhat) experience...it's all part of creating an in-group bond and of course a means of establishing an out-group who doesn't share your rituals.

Their value, like most things, is whatever you decide.

 

[tienkhoanguyen]

I agree with you. I know for my personal loss its like my ritual is going to be the thing that reconnects me. In church the emotion of the ritual from the moment the cross is walked down the aisle...to the taking of communion... the ritual itself can easily be the reason youre there - and if that's the case is that necessarily so bad?

I'm sorry! I understand your lost. I lost many people in my life too. However it is just a way to be a robot. When you pray to God just lift your heart inside to him. God answers. I do have one ritual... I pray The Catholic Rosary everyday with the Rosary in my hand. But it is not repeating myself all the time. At spontaneous moments I would make a loud prayer to God or Jesus or Mary or The Holy Spirit in remembrance of the people I love.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

I was taught that rituals are speech based, and ceremonies are action based.

 

[dayhiker]

I've meet people that found ritual very meaningful to their life and found a lot of satisfaction from ritual. They should have their ritual. Personally, I don't like doing the same thing a few times and then I want to see it change even if its only what I'm doing that changes. So I never speak down about a ritual or say only one way is the way to do anything. Its about the people and what works for them, for me. If a religion required me to do the same ritual over and over, than that religion would stop working for me.

 

[Zoii]

I was taught that rituals are speech based, and ceremonies are action based.

no not at all...rituals are something u do that u associate with something else - almost to the point where u believe your actions will cause this "something else" to occur. .... or the connection to something (usually esoteric) is established through the ritual

 

[tienkhoanguyen]

no not at all...rituals are something u do that u associate with something else - almost to the point where u believe your actions will cause this "something else" to occur. .... or the connection to something (usually esoteric) is established through the ritual

You know when I go through a really tough time. I don't even show up to my church. I just be in silence and pray alone in my mind. God hears you even when no one else does.