2. The Role of Ritual in Religion Contacting the Divine

3. Ritual Contact the Ultimate Reality Communicate with the Ultimate Reality Communicate to others (public vs. private) Help to develop relationship with the Ultimate Reality Effect human transformation

4. Ritual “A patterned form of behavior, generally communal and consisting of prescribed actions and words.” –Dictionary of Religion and Philosophy

5. Ritual Directed Toward the Divine In religious ritual a person seeks to to communicate with the divine power responsible for its creation This desire permeates all aspects of life and therefore is not separated from any event. Many aspects of a culture had religious overtones-- such cultivation of crops, creation of tools, tribal celebrations, etc.

6. Rituals (more) Many of the rites performed had religious implications and therefore affected their aesthetic value-- i.e. they were elaborate, beautiful, and central to the culture.

7. “In many cultures the religious aspects of every event and act in life are often celebrated in ritual patterns; every religion has also developed specific patterns of worship and celebration to show devotion and commitment publicly.”

8. Ritual: From Public to Personal There are not only public rituals but often personal ritual patterns. The purpose is not only to communicate with the divine but also to aid in personal transformation.

9. Ritualization of Ordinary Activities Here is where a person recognizes the presence of the divine in ordinary activities. For many people the ritualistic patterns of everyday life become a way to praise and identify the divine.

10. Rituals from Faiths Buddhist Ritual and MoreRitualMore

11. Sources http://www.avesta.org/ritual/navjote.gif Wallace Ben http://www.swanslaexpressions.com/bapti sm.jpghttp://www.swanslaexpressions.com/bapti sm.jpg http://www.xs4all.nl/~cvdmark/hen-crm.jpg http://ccimg.catalogcity.com/200000/20060 0/200675/Products/new_beg_set_p.jpghttp://ccimg.catalogcity.com/200000/20060 0/200675/Products/new_beg_set_p.jpg