Religious Rites

2 THE SACRED OR HOLY

• 2.1 The emergence of the concept of the sacred.
• 2.2 Basic characteristics of the sacred.
  • 2.2.1 Sacred-profane and other dichotomies.
  • 2.2.2 Ambivalence in man's response to the sacred.
  • 2.2.3 Manifestations of the sacred.
  • 2.2.4 Dimensions of the sacred.
• 2.3 Critical problems.
• 2.4 The sacred today.
  

• 3.1 Nature and significance.
• 3.2 Functions of worship.
  • 3.2.1 Primary functions.
  • 3.2.2 Secondary functions.
• 3.3 Types of worship.
  • 3.3.1 Corporate exclusive worship.
  • 3.3.2 Corporate inclusive worship.
  • 3.3.3 Personal worship.
• 3.4 Variations or distinctions within the act of worship.
• 3.5 Times and places of worship.
  • 3.5.1 Sacred seasons.
  • 3.5.2 Sacred places.
• 3.6 Focuses of worship.
  • 3.6.1 Objects.
  • 3.6.2 Activities.
  • 3.6.3 Other focuses.
• 3.7 Conclusion.
  

• 4.1 Nature and significance.
  • 4.1.1 The origin approach.
  • 4.1.2 The functional approach.
  • 4.1.3 The history of religions approach.
• 4.2 Functions of ritual.
• 4.3 Types of ritual.
  • 4.3.1 Imitative.
  • 4.3.2 Positive and negative.
  • 4.3.3 Sacrificial.
  • 4.3.4 Life crisis.
• 4.4 Conclusion.
• 4.5 Prayer
  • 4.5.1 NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE
  • 4.5.2 ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT
  • 4.5.3 TYPES OF PRAYER
    • 4.5.3.1 Petition.
    • 4.5.3.2 Confession.
    • 4.5.3.3 Intercession.
    • 4.5.3.4 Praise and thanksgiving.
    • 4.5.3.5 Adoration.
    • 4.5.3.6 Unitative: mystical union or ecstasy.
  • 4.5.4 FORMS OF PRAYER IN THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD
    • 4.5.4.1 Religions of nonliterate peoples.
    • 4.5.4.2 Ancient civilizations.
    • 4.5.4.3 Religions of the East.
    • 4.5.4.4 Religions of the West.
  • 4.5.5 CONCLUSION
• 4.6 Creed and confession
  • 4.6.1 CREEDS IN THE MAJOR RELIGIONS
    • 4.6.1.1 Origins and functions of creeds.
    • 4.6.1.2 Religions of the East.
    • 4.6.1.3 Religions of the West.
      • 4.6.1.3.1 Islam.
      • 4.6.1.3.2 Judaism.
      • 4.6.1.3.3 Christianity.
  • 4.6.2 CONFESSIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
    • 4.6.2.1 Origins and functions of confessions.
      • 4.6.2.1.1 Lutheran confessions.
      • 4.6.2.1.2 Reformed churches confessions.
      • 4.6.2.1.3 The Anglican Communion.
      • 4.6.2.1.4 Confessions of other Protestant groups.
      • 4.6.2.1.5 Roman Catholic doctrinal statements.
      • 4.6.2.1.6 Eastern Orthodox doctrinal statements.
    • 4.6.2.2 Creeds and confessions today.
• 4.7 Sacrament
  • 4.7.1 NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE
  • 4.7.2 TYPES AND VARIATIONS
    • 4.7.2.1 Types.
    • 4.7.2.2 Variations.
      • 4.7.2.2.1 Sacramental ideas and practices in preliterate societies.
      • 4.7.2.2.2 Sacramental ideas and practices in the ancient Near East.
      • 4.7.2.2.3 Sacramental ideas and practices in the Greco-Roman world.
      • 4.7.2.2.4 Sacramental ideas and practices in the Indo-Iranian world.
      • 4.7.2.2.5 Sacramental ideas and practices of pre-Columbian America.
  • 4.7.3 THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF SACRAMENTS IN CHRISTIANITY
    • 4.7.3.1 Baptism.
    • 4.7.3.2 Confirmation.
    • 4.7.3.3 The Eucharist.
    • 4.7.3.4 Repentance.
    • 4.7.3.5 Ordination.
    • 4.7.3.6 Marriage.
    • 4.7.3.7 Healing of the sick.
  • 4.7.4 CONCLUSION
• 4.8 Sacrifice
  • 4.8.1 NATURE AND ORIGINS
    • 4.8.1.1 Nature of sacrifice.
    • 4.8.1.2 Theories of the origin of sacrifice.
  • 4.8.2 ANALYSIS OF THE RITE OF SACRIFICE
    • 4.8.2.1 Sacrificer.
    • 4.8.2.2 Material of the oblation.
      • 4.8.2.2.1 Blood offerings.
      • 4.8.2.2.2 Bloodless offerings.
      • 4.8.2.2.3 Divine offerings.
    • 4.8.2.3 Time and place of sacrifice.
    • 4.8.2.4 Method of sacrifice.
    • 4.8.2.5 Recipient of the sacrifice.
    • 4.8.2.6 Intentions.
      • 4.8.2.6.1 Propitiation and expiation.
      • 4.8.2.6.2 Gift sacrifices.
      • 4.8.2.6.3 Thank offerings.
      • 4.8.2.6.4 Fertility.
      • 4.8.2.6.5 Building sacrifices.
      • 4.8.2.6.6 Mortuary sacrifice.
      • 4.8.2.6.7 Communion sacrifices.
  • 4.8.3 SACRIFICE IN THE RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD
    • 4.8.3.1 Religions of India.
    • 4.8.3.2 Religions of China.
    • 4.8.3.3 Religions of Japan.
    • 4.8.3.4 Ancient Greece.
    • 4.8.3.5 Judaism.
    • 4.8.3.6 Christianity.
    • 4.8.3.7 Islam.
    • 4.8.3.8 Conclusion.
• 4.9 Rites of passage
  • 4.9.1 NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE
  • 4.9.2 FUNCTIONS
  • 4.9.3 CLASSIFICATIONS OF RITES
    • 4.9.3.1 Life-cycle ceremonies.
    • 4.9.3.2 Ceremonies of social transformation.
    • 4.9.3.3 Ceremonies of religious transformation.
    • 4.9.3.4 Other ceremonies.
    • 4.9.3.5 Symbolic aspects of ceremonies.
    • 4.9.3.6 A representative example.
  • 4.9.4 RITES OF PASSAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SOCIAL SYSTEM
  • 4.9.5 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF RITES OF PASSAGE
  • 4.9.6 RITES OF PASSAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM
  • 4.9.7 PRIMARY RITES OF PASSAGE
    • 4.9.7.1 Birth rites.
    • 4.9.7.2 Initiation rites.
    • 4.9.7.3 Marriage rites.
    • 4.9.7.4 Death rites.
• 4.10 Death rites and customs
  • 4.10.1 RELEVANT CONCEPTS AND DOCTRINES
    • 4.10.1.1 Life and death.
    • 4.10.1.2 Human substance and nature.
    • 4.10.1.3 Forms of survival.
    • 4.10.1.4 The ultimate destiny of the dead.
  • 4.10.2 PATTERNS OF MYTH AND SYMBOL
    • 4.10.2.1 Geography of the afterlife.
    • 4.10.2.2 Means of approach to the afterworld.
    • 4.10.2.3 Forms of final determination.
  • 4.10.3 DEATH AND FUNERARY RITES AND CUSTOMS
    • 4.10.3.1 Before and at death.
    • 4.10.3.2 Modes of preparation of the corpse and attendant rites.
    • 4.10.3.3 Modes of disposal of the corpse and attendant rites.
    • 4.10.3.4 Post-funerary rites and customs.
  • 4.10.4 CULTS AND MEMORIALS OF THE DEAD
    • 4.10.4.1 Commemorative rites and services.
    • 4.10.4.2 Cult of the dead.
  • 4.10.5 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DEATH
  • 4.10.6 MODERN NOTIONS OF DEATH
    • 4.10.6.1 Continuation of traditional responses.
    • 4.10.6.2 Avowed secular inattention and unconcern.
    • 4.10.6.3 Rites and customs among secular materialists.
• 4.11 Purification rites and customs
  • 4.11.1 CONCEPTS OF PURITY AND POLLUTION
    • 4.11.1.1 General concepts.
    • 4.11.1.2 Purity and pollution in relation to religious concepts.
      • 4.11.1.2.1 Pollution and the sacred.
      • 4.11.1.2.2 Pollution and sin.
      • 4.11.1.2.3 Pollution and the forces of evil.
  • 4.11.2 CATEGORIES AND THEORIES OF POLLUTION AND IMPURITY
    • 4.11.2.1 Categories of pollution and impurity.
      • 4.11.2.1.1 Physiological processes.
      • 4.11.2.1.2 Violence and associated processes.
      • 4.11.2.1.3 Anomalies.
      • 4.11.2.1.4 Social classifications: classes and castes.
    • 4.11.2.2 Theories of pollution and impurity.
  • 4.11.3 TYPES OF PURIFICATION RITES
    • 4.11.3.1 Occasions and symbolism of purification rites.
    • 4.11.3.2 Classification of purification rites.
      • 4.11.3.2.1 The removal of pollution.
      • 4.11.3.2.2 The expulsion of pollution.
      • 4.11.3.2.3 The transfer of pollution.
      • 4.11.3.2.4 The destruction of pollution.
      • 4.11.3.2.5 The transformation of pollution into purity.
      • 4.11.3.2.6 The introduction of purity.
      • 4.11.3.2.7 Other purification rites.
  • 4.11.4 EXAMPLES OF PURIFICATION RITES
    • 4.11.4.1 Rite for purifying a cured leper in ancient Judaism.
    • 4.11.4.2 The Navajo sweat-emetic rite.
    • 4.11.4.3 The Zoroastrian "Great Purification" rite.
  • 4.11.5 POLLUTION BELIEFS IN MODERN SOCIETY
• 4.12 Dietary laws and food customs
  • 4.12.1 NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE
    • 4.12.1.1 Food as a material expression of social relationships.
    • 4.12.1.2 Regulations about the quantity of food and drink consumed.
    • 4.12.1.3 Use of food in religion.
  • 4.12.2 LAWS AND CUSTOMS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
    • 4.12.2.1 Hunter-gatherers.
    • 4.12.2.2 Corporate kin groups.
    • 4.12.2.3 Chiefdoms.
    • 4.12.2.4 Complex societies.
  • 4.12.3 RULES AND CUSTOMS IN WORLD RELIGIONS
    • 4.12.3.1 Judaism.
      • 4.12.3.1.1 Interpretation of Jewish laws.
      • 4.12.3.1.2 Elaboration of the Jewish laws.
    • 4.12.3.2 Black Muslim movement.
    • 4.12.3.3 Islam.
    • 4.12.3.4 Christianity.
    • 4.12.3.5 Religions of India.
    • 4.12.3.6 Buddhism.
    • 4.12.3.7 Religions of China.
    • 4.12.3.8 Religions of Japan and Korea.
• 4.13 Ceremonial and ritualistic objects
  • 4.13.1 VARIETIES
    • 4.13.1.1 Icons and symbols.
    • 4.13.1.2 Religious dress and vestments.
    • 4.13.1.3 Instruments for worship and religious ceremonies.
    • 4.13.1.4 Amulets and talismans.
  • 4.13.2 TYPES OF SACRED SETTINGS FOR CEREMONIAL AND RITUALISTIC OBJECTS
    • 4.13.2.1 Places of worship and sacrifice.
    • 4.13.2.2 Sacred furniture and related objects.
    • 4.13.2.3 Protective devices and markers of sacredness.
  • 4.13.3 FORMS OF CEREMONIAL AND RITUALISTIC OBJECTS ACCORDING TO THEIR FUNCTIONS
    • 4.13.3.1 Summoning, mediating, and expelling devices.
      • 4.13.3.1.1 Sound devices.
      • 4.13.3.1.2 Lighting devices.
      • 4.13.3.1.3 Incense and other smoke devices.
      • 4.13.3.1.4 Expelling and other protective devices.
    • 4.13.3.2 Representational objects.
      • 4.13.3.2.1 Figures.
      • 4.13.3.2.2 Plants and plant representations.
      • 4.13.3.2.3 Other representational objects.
      • 4.13.3.2.4 Relics.
    • 4.13.3.3 Other ritual objects.
      • 4.13.3.3.1 Objects used in prayer and meditation.
      • 4.13.3.3.2 Objects used in purification rites.
      • 4.13.3.3.3 Objects used in rites of passage.
      • 4.13.3.3.4 Objects used in sacrifices and in sacred meals.
      • 4.13.3.3.5 Objects used in temple, state, and private ceremonies.
  • 4.13.4 CONCLUSION
• 4.14 Religious dress and vestments
  • 4.14.1 TYPES OF DRESS AND VESTMENTS IN WESTERN RELIGIONS
    • 4.14.1.1 Judaism.
      • 4.14.1.1.1 Early sacerdotal dress.
      • 4.14.1.1.2 Later religious dress.
    • 4.14.1.2 Christianity.
      • 4.14.1.2.1 Roman Catholic religious dress.
      • 4.14.1.2.2 Eastern Orthodox religious dress.
      • 4.14.1.2.3 Protestant religious dress.
      • 4.14.1.2.4 Modern changes in religious dress and vestments.
    • 4.14.1.3 Islam.
  • 4.14.2 TYPES OF DRESS AND VESTMENTS IN EASTERN RELIGIONS
    • 4.14.2.1 Indian religions.
    • 4.14.2.2 Buddhism.
    • 4.14.2.3 Chinese religions.
    • 4.14.2.4 Japanese religions.
• 4.15 Feasts and festivals
  • 4.15.1 NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE
    • 4.15.1.1 Concepts of sacred times.
    • 4.15.1.2 Times of seasonal changes.
      • 4.15.1.2.1 The significance of seasonal renewal in prehistoric times.
      • 4.15.1.2.2 The significance of seasonal renewal in ancient Egypt.
      • 4.15.1.2.3 The significance of seasonal renewal in ancient Mesopotamia.
      • 4.15.1.2.4 The significance of seasonal renewal in areas of other religions.
    • 4.15.1.3 Other sacred times.
      • 4.15.1.3.1 Crucial stages of life.
      • 4.15.1.3.2 Times of commemoration and remembrance.
  • 4.15.2 TYPES AND KINDS OF FEASTS AND FESTIVALS
    • 4.15.2.1 National and local festivals.
    • 4.15.2.2 Secular modernist festivals.
    • 4.15.2.3 Carnivals and saturnalias.
  • 4.15.3 CONCLUSION

  　

• 5 Bibliography

  • 5.1 Sacred or holy:
  • 5.2 Worship:
  • 5.3 Ritual:
  • 5.4 Prayer:
  • 5.5 Creed and confession:
  • 5.6 Sacrament:
  • 5.7 Sacrifice:
  • 5.8 Rites of passage:
  • 5.9 Death rites and customs:
  • 5.10 Purification rites and customs:
  • 5.11 Dietary laws and food customs:
  • 5.12 Ceremonial and ritualistic objects:
  • 5.13 Religious dress and vestments:
  • 5.14 Feasts and festivals:

1 INTRODUCTION

The sacred (or holy) is the power, being, or realm understood by religious persons to be at the core of existence and to have a transformative effect on their lives and destinies. Other terms, such as divine, transcendent, ultimate being (or reality), mystery, and perfection (or purity) have been used for this domain. "Sacred" is also an important technical term in the scholarly study and interpretation of religions. (see also rite)

Broadly defined, worship is man's response to the sacred. Characteristic modes of response (other than spontaneous, ecstatic behaviour) include primarily cultic and private acts of ritual, the performance of which is prescribed by tradition or sacerdotal decree.

This article will treat various ritualistic, behavioral responses to the sacred. For a discussion of dogmatic interpretations of the Divine as a being or force, see RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL BELIEF and DOCTRINES AND DOGMAS .