Describe the purpose of rituals in religious traditions. What steps do rituals take to address crises? At what times are rituals more likely to take place and toward what purpose?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers vary but should include a definition of a ritual as a regular, repeated, or prescribed behavior that symbolizes a value or belief. This often takes place at points of transition in life, or during rites of passage. It can come in many forms, such as prayer or singing, and helps people communicate with or show devotion to a higher power. Some rituals at times of crises are engaged in problem solving, the steps of which are to (1) identify the source of the problem, (2) characterize it as evil, (3) mark boundaries between "us" and "them", and (4) arrive at a means of working toward a solution. Rituals are more likely to take place at times of transition or at times of crises. Transitions can also have a liminal period in which someone is considered between states--for example, between being not married and being married, or between childhood and adulthood.