Cognitive science, ritual, and the Hellenistic mystery religions

Much research in the cognitive science of religion has dealt with ritual. Two forms of ritual have been focused on, those characterised by repetition and routinisation, the characteristic most often attributed ritual, and the less noted forms in which ritual performance is infrequent and irregular b...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Martin, Luther H. 1937- (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Brill 2006
In: Religion & theology
Year: 2006, Volume: 13, Issue: 3/4, Pages: 383-395
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Mysteries / Hellenism / Church / Ritual / Cognitive science
IxTheo Classification:BC Ancient Orient; religion
BE Greco-Roman religions
KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
Further subjects:B Church
B Hellenism
B Mysteries
Description
Summary:Much research in the cognitive science of religion has dealt with ritual. Two forms of ritual have been focused on, those characterised by repetition and routinisation, the characteristic most often attributed ritual, and the less noted forms in which ritual performance is infrequent and irregular but highly emotional and arousing. I hope, in this essay, to suggest the utility of cognitive theorising for the historical study of ritual with examples from the religions of the Roman Empire, especially, the Hellenistic Mystery Religions and the early Christianities, and to arouse interest in pursuing such studies further in the history of religions.
ISSN:1023-0807
Contains:In: Religion & theology