Religion and ritual.

[GliderGuider]

16. I never understood the close coupling of ritual and religion,

Last edited Thu Jan 5, 2012, 02:19 AM - Edit history (1)

Until one of my partners introduced me to Wicca. The more naturalistic underpinnings of Wicca let me see the inseparable symbiosis of ritual and religion. Prior to that the rituals of Abrahamic religions had seemed quite artificial and alienated (not to mention alienating). I understand that sense of artifice a bit better now, and there's no question that ritual reinforces religions as well as other shared beliefs. Like putting on a white coat when you walk into a lab - or holding up a candidate's sign at a political convention.

I went on a week-long retreat a few years ago during which I was able to perform rituals from a variety of religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hindu, Buddhism, and Wicca. It was fascinating to feel how the emotional, psychological, cultural and kinesthetic aspects of the observance merged to support the spiritual goals of the religion.