Agree or disagree?

Question

"Ritual, as I have already indicated, is actually mythology acted out. Ritual is the response of the group to the myth and through it, the myth becomes a living part of each member of the group who participates in it. Undoubtedly this is one reason why, among the many sincere students of mythology, so few are really affected or changed by their study. The myth which becomes a living experience must be participated in. It must be shared in as it was in the Greek drama, in the Hopi snake dance, in the Navajo sand painting, or as in the ancient rites of Attis or the present day communion service."--Morton Kelsey

Answer 1

Somewhat agree, and somewhat disagree. I agree that people who partake in ritual are often more acceptable to believing in the myth that it is associated with. However, i also think that in order to partake in the ritual you must first (at least somewhat) agree with the mythology. It sounds circular i know, but it's more of a reinforcement of beliefs. If you are open to an experience you are more likely to participate in it, but through participation the level of agreement has a higher probability of becoming stronger.

It's a very complicated problem, and probably should be examined from more than a simple binary context.

Answer 2

Exactly, a ritual is a form of group identification that makes all the participants FEEL part of something bigger than the individual. Each feels he belongs to a group that will protect him against the possible adversities of life, some from nature, or the gods, and some from enemy groups. Rituals help the masses give allegiance to an organized belief system and ultimately build pride and tribal, national identity. That is a necessary process for creating deep divisions among groups of people who are then prepared to kill if you step on a flag, or burn it, or make a cartoon of a holy figure, or a holy cow.

Answer 3

Very interesting, and to a certain degree I agree with the author. But ritual is more than that. At its core, it is a set of words and actions that are repeated in a particular context with a specific meaning. Bringing someone a birthday cake and singing "Happy Birthday" is a ritual. Brushing your teeth before taking a shower every morning is a ritual.

[edit - Father K has a good answer, too!]

Answer 4

Communion is indeed a (sacramental) rite, but Christianity is not Mythology. Mr. Kelsey's attempt to blend the two is erroneous.

Answer 5

I agree wholeheartedly. Despite being an atheist, I myself have numerous 'spiritual' rituals that are personally significant and are couched in symbols that are personally meaningful to me .. doesn't matter if no one else would understand or care, they only matter to me.

Humans are symbolic creatures, but what good is a symbol if you never enact it?

Answer 6

Disagree. "Ritual" is the words used. "Ceremonial" is the action. Combined together they form the work of the "Liturgy". Which does not necessarily act out "mythology". It can also work out truth.

Answer 7

Ritual is nothing more than doing anything habitually.

Answer 8

There is some truth here but it is not inclusive neither does it establish any type of truth itself.

Answer 9

I agree. Experience makes it real.

Answer 10

If you say so