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Elements of Religious Experience
Symbol
Ritual
Myth
The religious character of particular events
Symbol
A symbol has deeply meaningful "echoes."
St. Teresa: Intense compassion and sorrow at the sight of a statue of Christ being scourged
A symbol unites truths with powerful representations.
What were the echoes for St. Teresa?
Symbols (cont’d)
A symbol condenses some reality so people can grasp some aspect of the transcendent reality and participate in its symbolic form.
A statue of the Buddha
Invites the viewer to attain Nirvana
A Buddhist is inspired to become silent within
To attain freedom from selfish desire and become one with the reality of Mystery beyond form or concept—the Void, Emptiness….
Symbols (Cont’d)
A symbol
Is not an allegory
a figurative representation conveying a meaning other than and in addition to the literal.
Is not a metaphor
a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
Is not a sign
A literal representation of something
Ritual (change to Ritual Process file)
Myth—Ritual Story
Modern Usage
Something widely believed but is in fact false
Stories that personified forces of gods, goddesses, legendary heroes in early societies
The Function of a Healthy, vital Myth
Four functions of myth
Mystical Function
To awaken and maintain in a person a sense of awe and gratitude for the "mystery dimension" of the universe and not to be afraid of it.
To realize that the mystery dimension is his own mystery as well.
Four Functions of Myth
To present an image of the universe that works in terms of the knowledge and science of a people in their own time.
The problem to day is that our mythology is out of date.
Four Functions of Myth
To validate, support and inculcate the norms of a culture’s moral order in the individual.
To carry a person through the life stages of one’s development.
Myth
Religious Usage
Beliefs/notions containing deep, meaningful values
These beliefs/notions sustain and give unity to society
Myth is a necessary symbolic medium in expressing the reality of the transcendent (Paul Tillich: German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher.
Myth
Myth as Story
A story/narrative felt to be eternally valid
The story may be historical or legendary
Myth (cont’d)
Beginning contains
The hero or good force is in a position of weakness or strength is threatened.
Middle portion
Exposes or intensifies the weakness of the hero or good force
The Conclusion
Weakness is transformed into strength or revealed to have been a strength all along.
What Myths Do You Know?
What weakness is evident?
What strength is threatened?
Where does transformation occur?
Is the Transcendent part of the myth?
Magic
An attempt to use/manipulate transhuman, often spiritual or divine beings or powers to bring about human goals
Rites often used when activities involve uncertainty or danger
Fishing in the Arctic
Going to War
Religious rites are done because they "are the right thing to do", and the outcome is dependent on a higher power.
Acknowledges dependence on the "More."
Magic rites are done to effect a cause, and the outcome is dependent on the rite being done correctly.
Acknowledges dependence on who performs the rite, how it is performed, where, when, etc. The act itself is considered to release the power.
Magical Orientation to Religion
The intention of the rite is to control the transcendent or divine power in order to manipulate the environment for personal or group purposes.
Magic (cont’d)
See Text Pg. 83—Navajo Ritual
Good vs. Bad Magic
Evil magic
Usually identified as witchcraft and is intended to cause harm
Good magic
The work of a shaman for the purpose of healing