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Symbol, Ritual & Myth
Vitality in Religion is most evident at the level of personal experience.
Conscious & subconscious
Symbol, ritual & myth
Provide insights into how any experience affects the whole person.
Values, emotions, attitudes, physical actions
Example: Exam as ritual
Elicit deep, strong responses from one who understands all the echoes
Symbols—Their Role
More!!!!!
Than a sign
Stop sign; it is what it is
Than a metaphor
implicit comparison
That politician is a snake. (Shares characteristics)
Symbols—Central Function
To unite or join truths with powerful graphic representations
The American flag
Symbols--Multidimensional
Point to something beyond themselves
Fuse with what they represent
Encounter some essential quality of what is being represented
In your own religious background, how are symbols understood?
Religious Symbols
Have power!
Point to deepest of all concerns
Ultimate meaning
Christianity
The cross, the crucifix
Christianity
The Cross
Christianity
The crucifix
Buddhism
Buddha in meditation—Nirvana
Symbol or Idolatry
Symbol
Points to and is part of the essential quality of Deity
Idol
In religion, is the Deity
Summary
A symbol
Arises from the depths of human experience
Stands for something vast
Not fully under rational control
Embodies some essential characteristic or quality
Not an absolute substitute for what is pointed to
Ritual in Religion
A formalized pattern of behavior
Provides
Focus and orientation
Sense of meaning
Purpose for living
Tradition
Three Kinds of Religious Ritual
Ritual directed toward the Divine
Ritual as transformation of the self
Ritual making ordinary activities spiritual
Toward the Divine
Worship
Roman Catholic Eucharist
Pilgrimages
Mecca
Prayers
Flags, Turning drums
Dances
The Ghost Dance
Other
As Transformation
Spiritual Disciplines
Zen Buddhist "practice"
Study of the Koran, Bible
Reflection on one’s life as it relates to the religion’s 4 C’s
Dream work
Spiritual direction
Why do most religions urge believers to participate in public rites of worship?
Myth
A unique kind of story
Historical or legendary
Presented as being "eternally valid"
Points to beliefs, values and commitments
Sustains and gives unity to a society, a community
Stages of Myth
Beginning
Persons, forces or elements in conflict or imbalance
Middle
Exposes or intensifies the weakness of the good force or hero
Conclusion
Transforms the weakness into strength or shows how the weakness has somehow been strength all along
Paul Tillich on Myth-
he taught at Union Theological Seminary as Professor of Philosophical Theology from 1933 to 1955All religious expression must involve:
Certain mythological elements
Myth is a necessary symbolic medium in expressing reality that is transcendent.
What myths are important or meaningful to you?