Why Gods Persist: A Scientific Approach to Religion by Hinde Robert A. & Hinde Robert

Author:Hinde, Robert A. & Hinde, Robert [Hinde, Robert A.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Humanities
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2009-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

Summary

The motivations leading to ritual performance are diverse, differing between the ritual specialists, the central figures (if any) and other participants, and also according to the nature of the ritual. The Jain puja ritual, in which the celebrant usually acts alone, is contrasted with the Jewish Passover Seder, which is essentially social.

The consequences on individuals are similarly diverse: those on the self-systems of the central participants are often of special importance.

Ritual involvement may depend on some of the same propensities as were discussed in Chapters 5 and 6.

Ritual performance can also have important social consequences. It may aid social integration and facilitate the continuity of the social system.

Prayer and sacrifice are considered special forms of ritual. Prayer may take the form of a request, linguistic discourse, worship, supplication, a search for comfort or a means for the construction of reality. It can appear to be paradoxical – for instance in the spelling out of needs to a supposedly omniscient being.

Sacrifice occurs in some form in very many religions. Sacrifice may involve the consumption of valuable resources, but devices to avoid this are often used. In Christianity the death of Christ on the Cross is seen as the ultimate sacrifice.

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