Call/WhatsApp/Text: +44 20 3289 5183

Question: Drawing on Maurice Bloch’s “Symbols, Songs, Dance,” discuss the creation of ritual authority in “Speaking is Believing” by Susan Harding

27 Feb 2023,4:31 AM

 

Option 1

Drawing on Maurice Bloch’s “Symbols, Songs, Dance,” discuss the creation of ritual authority in “Speaking is Believing” by Susan Harding and, the ways ritual or formal authority is maintained in Henkel’s ‘Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt.,” and the critique or dissolution of authority in Bruce Lincoln’s “Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain.”

 

Requirements for Option 1: Your essay should define formalization (according to Bloch).

This definition should be used to guide interpretation of the creation of authority in the ritual of witnessing (Harding) and the maintaining of authority in the practice of daily prayer (Henkel).

 

Option 2

Drawing on Maurice Bloch’s “Symbols, Songs, Dance,” discuss the creation of ritual authority in “Speaking is Believing” by Susan Harding.

 

Requirements for Option 2: Your essay should define formalization (according to Bloch). This definition should be punctuated with examples of formalization from Bloch’s essay and further illustrated with reference to Susan Harding’s essay on witnessing.

 

 

For Option 1 and 2: your definition of formalization should make reference to

  1. Bloch’s theoretical question: “How does ritual make its statements appear powerful and holy? (57)
  2. His understanding of “features of articulation” (mode of communication) and his idea of “power through form” (60)
  3. Ordinary vs. formal speech, creative vs. impoverished, propositional vs. illocutionary forms of speech
  4. Traditional and religious authority
  5. The transformation of reality into a timeless placeless zone of “eternal truth” (77, 78)

 

~~~

Your essay should explain to the reader what formalization is (provide an extended definition from Bloch’s essay). This definition should then be punctuated by variety, with examples of how we create, maintain, or dissolve authority creating authority in processes of formalization or ritualization.

 

This essay, which focuses on the nature of authority and how it is produced, maintained, and dissolved, is all about definition. You are providing a well- illustrated definition of formalization, moving through Bloch’s examples as well as providing additional examples from the required readings to illustrate how authority, symbols, and formalization work.

 

Assignment 2 is to be uploaded to a folder in UMLearn.

 

Your assignment should be written so that it could be used as. Required reading in this section of the course. Think of yourself as writing for future students in this course.

 

Assignment 2 and my expectations for this assignment will be discussed in more detail on February 16 in Writing Workshop 2. In the workshop, writing strategies and tips will be discussed.

 

Basic elements of your assignment

 

  1. The opening paragraph should be a description of your assignment.
  2. The next body paragraphs should be a d Definition of formalization that includes Bloch’s understanding of “features of articulation,” “symbols,” and “religious authority.” If you have selected Option 2, this definition should be illustrated using Bloch’s illustration. If you have selected Option 1, you will move on to illustrations from Harding then Henkel. with reference to three examples from the required readings (“witnessing” “daily prayer”, and “exhumations).
  3. Conclusion.

 

 

Aim of assignment and how it fits with intended learning outcomes.

 

The assignment requires that you have a good grasp of formalization as outlined by Maurice Bloch. The emphasis of this assignment, apart from definition, is on comparison. Each case studies provides an exemplification of a particular kind of authority. These attempts are strategies. In comparing the three case studies you are creating a vocabulary for talking about ritual and ritualization, authority and authorization.

 

This assignment emphasizes the importance of definition (authority in the context of formalization, what we’re also calling ritualization), comparison (case studies), and analysis and interpretation (the correctness of your definition, the accuracy of your application or interpretation). The assignment is an opportunity to practice reading, writing, and communication skills as well as work towards identify personal challenges in the writing process. In the workshop, strategies for overcoming writing obstacles and difficulties will be addressed.

Expert answer

 

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Formalization, according to Maurice Bloch, refers to the process by which cultural practices become standardized, routinized, and highly scripted. This process is crucial in creating and maintaining ritual authority, which is the power and legitimacy that a particular ritual or practice holds within a community. In this essay, we will examine how ritual authority is created in Susan Harding's "Speaking is Believing," how it is maintained in Henkel's "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," and how it is critiqued in Bruce Lincoln's "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain."

In "Speaking is Believing," Harding discusses the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christian communities in the United States. She argues that the act of witnessing is a highly formalized and scripted practice that creates and maintains the authority of the speaker. The speaker's authority is based on their ability to testify to their own personal experience of conversion and to present this experience as evidence of the truth of their faith. The ritualized nature of witnessing creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the speaker's authority within the community.

Similarly, in "Between Belief and Unbelief Lies the Performance of Salāt," Henkel examines the ritual of daily prayer in Muslim communities. He argues that the formalization of prayer, with its precise movements, recitations, and timing, creates a sense of authority and legitimacy that reinforces the practice of prayer within the community. The strict adherence to ritual ensures that the practice of prayer remains standardized and uniform, thus maintaining its authority over time.

However, in "Revolutionary Exhumations in Spain," Bruce Lincoln critiques the authority of Catholicism in Spanish society. He argues that the process of formalization and ritualization has led to the ossification of Catholicism, making it resistant to change and critical reflection. Lincoln examines the exhumation of mass graves from the Spanish Civil War as a way of challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and the state. By breaking the taboo against exhumation and bringing to light the atrocities committed during the war, Lincoln argues that the exhumations challenge the authority of the Church and offer a way to critique and dissolve the power structures that have supported it.

In conclusion, Bloch's concept of formalization is essential to understanding the creation and maintenance of ritual authority. Formalization creates a sense of authenticity and credibility that reinforces the authority of a particular practice or ritual. This is evident in the ritual of witnessing in evangelical Christianity and the practice of daily prayer in Muslim communities. However, the critique of authority, as seen in Lincoln's work, demonstrates that the process of formalization can also lead to the ossification of practices and the resistance to change.

Stuck Looking For A Model Original Answer To This Or Any Other
Question?


Related Questions

What Clients Say About Us

WhatsApp us