Religious Rituals from the Point of View of Clifford Geertz (with an Emphasis on their Functions)

Subject Areas : Christianity

رستم Shamohammadi ¹ , فاطمه Pasalari ²

1 - دانشگاه سمنان
2 - دانشگاه سمنان

Received: 2016-11-24 Accepted : 2016-11-24 Published : 2016-02-20

Keywords:

Abstract :

Rituals and ceremonies might be considered the pillars of a religion, and by taking part in them, one seeks to communicate with the holy. Understanding the role and function of the rituals, both in individual and communal spheres has been the subject of attention for sociologists and anthropologists of religion. As a contemporary anthropologist of religion, Clifford Geertz tries to give an analysis of the rituals based on his interpretative approach and objective observations, which is considered a turning point in anthropology of religion. In his view, on the one hand the rituals provide the necessary circumstances for preservation of the religious beliefs and social integrity, and on the other they provide the necessary context for transformation of the individual and bringing about his sacred moment. The present article is an effort in analyzing Geertz’s view on rituals and by doing so, it tries to give a definition of religion and religious beliefs as a system of symbols, functions of the rituals and their role in creating the sacred moment, and the reason of participation of people in the rituals. At the end, the ceremonies of cockfightings and Barong-Rangda battle which have been studied by Geerts, are analayzed.