Some of the things people abandon when they leave the church are rituals. But this week’s Q&A features a voicemail by listener Morris Bird, who asks:
“The word ritual is used to describe things as innocent as reading the newspaper. On the other hand, it’s used to describe sinister cult ceremonies. I’m curious, what are your thoughts generally on the role of rituals in secular communities, and what makes a good ritual, and how are good rituals designed and implemented into a community?”
In a first for one of our Q&A episodes, Bart chooses to ‘phone a friend’, a now-secular ‘celebrant’ called Keith Page, and they chew over the idea of rituals.
Takeaways: Rituals create order, and a sense of permanence, funerals, weddings, families, birthdays, Alcoholics Anonymous and other things are good examples, rituals of initiation like baptism actually make sense, the best rituals are connected to a value you share, solo rituals too, people need collective practice.
