The Dynamics of Changing Rituals
Subtitle: The Transformation of Religious Rituals Within Their Social and Cultural Context (Toronto Studies in Religion)
Contributors: Annette Deschner (Editor); Constance Hartung (Editor); Jens Kreinath (Editor)
Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing
Published: January 2004
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 287
ISBN-13: 9780820468266
Subjects: Customs & Traditions; Anthropology - Cultural; Social Science; Religion and sociology; Rites and ceremonies; Ritual; Sociology
Description: "Most ritual participants claim that their rituals have been the same since time immemorial. Citing recent research in ritual studies, this book illustrates how, on the contrary, rituals are often subject to dynamic changes. When do rituals change? When is the change accidental and when is it on purpose? Are certain kinds of rituals more stable or unstable than others? Which elements of rituals are liable to change and which are relatively stable? Who has the power to change rituals? Who decides to accept a change or not? The Dynamics of Changing Rituals attempts to address these questions within this new field of ritual studies."--Jacket.