Does the purpose of ritual hold any importance to mass modern living?

Answer 1

Jeez, that sounds like a first year Social Anthropology exam question... in that it makes little sense! Sorry... Does the 'purpose' of ritual... let me deal with that one first.

So what is the "Purpose of Ritual"? Well the simple answer is that a ritual takes the form of symbolic actions, predescribed by religion or culture. They can give us an insight into the cosmologies of cultures, the history and beliefs of the people. They provide a structure for individuals to fit in to a society.

However, to separate ritual and modern life is a tricky endeavour. Of course we can separate ourselves from ritual, or think that we can. It depends on your perception of ritual. If you think merely of a witchdoctor shaking twigs, or some other common image, then you're wrong.

Rituals are at the boundaries of most our social situations. Every birthday, every new year, funeral, wedding. Every time someone 'comes of age', or goes through another rites of passage ritual. Times of change, times of crises, even in entertainment, ritual is inseparable from social action, and as such has an intrinsic importance to modern life. It would be harder to live without it than with it.

Answer 2

If you have ever seen the look on a child's face when they are told that they have to wait for their birthday party (for say, a weekend day), then you know without a doubt how important ritual is to mass modern living. Granted, the child's birthday party may be at Chuck E. Cheese's, or in a parent's backyard for a BBQ, but ritual is ingrained within us from childhood. From our first year of school, when we are disappointed at having to go on summer holiday, to our tenth, when we are relieved, the ritual is exercised every year.

From an personal standpoint, once a person is past adolescence, the importance of ritual is mostly social. We no longer endorse the beliefs of fire and brimstone if we don't go to church on Sunday or have to work on the Sabbath. But older rituals are being replaced with newer ones; instead of getting up and praying, we now get up and go to the gym. If we don't meet at a bar or a pub on Friday night, we meet in the morning for coffee, instead of church on Sunday, we have Sunday brunch.

Ritual has been and will be preserved through our need to socialize. The social heirarchy throughout the world today is no longer decided by church elders, but by magazine editors who decide the latest fashions and styles. We wear the same fashions and styles in an attempt to attain social status. Even if we 'rebel' and wear a style different than high fashion, we are attempting to attain a social status.

So, to answer your question, ritual holds every importance to mass modern living. Ritual has always infiltrated everything.

Answer 3

Yes I think so. Ritual is not just about religion. Everyone has their own little rituals in daily life. Why does the Dad always sit at the head of the table ? Who decides that this is Dad's Chair, or Mum's place on the settee or whether you clean your teeth before or after breakfast? Rituals give a sense of stability and safety to what is fast becoming a hazardous way of life in our modern cities - they help to hold society together and prevent chaos in daily life - which is why a foreigner in any country finds it so difficult at first - they do not know the daily rituals of that country.

Answer 4

Celebrate something and you are performing a ritual! Do we really need to have a birthday celebration and gifts? No but We Like It!
Rituals and traditions are very closely linked! Most families have their own traditions and all RELIGION is based on Ritual!

Answer 5

I suppose it does. Rituals brings structure in one's life. Most religious practices are based on performing rituals. Even without practicing a religion most people have rituals and/or routines. rituals here regarded as done consciously and routines not necessarily so. It structures and perhaps gives the idea of control.

Answer 6

Think of it in a modern context. Christmas, Easter, and other holiday celebrations in our society all come from past religious rituals and are religious rituals in their own right. In addition, it's pretty hard to ignore the prevalence of Christian traditions in modern American society.

Answer 7

I have my own little rituals that I perform to a T everyday. They have their social aspects, but they cross over into other things as well. It' as if not performing these rituals will eventually do me in if not executed properly. A touch of superstition? Possibly. Although, I don't consider myself to be superstitious.

Answer 8

We are defined by ritual. Whether it's based on religion or our daily lives. It gives our lives purpose, direction and a timetable.

Answer 9

of course it has!
let's see:are we attending halloween parties??yes,we are...but it is not the same ritual,not the same purpose--we go there in order to socialize
are we still attending church on sundays??yes,we do,but what for?in order tgo solve our communities"s interests....and so on
my ideea is that the ancient rituals are still preserved in this miodern mass culture and society,but they have modified their function,their purpose,the original ones...
these rituals are still cultural answers\reactions to make our society go further

Answer 10

Yes I think it is important. We all need to know that we belong to some one or something. It is a way of enforcing our bond with others.