Subject: Re: Rites and Rituals (+ D.F. Wallace)
From: Steve Gallagher (sgallagher@lasersedge.net)
Date: Wed Jun 18 1997 - 12:35:40 GMT
Jon Tveite wrote:
> I would go along with the idea that meaningful rituals could make a
> difference in people's lives. The problem is that I've never experienced
> one that meant much to me...
Doesn't that just kill you? Ever wonder if you're missing something? And
I'm not on the edge, here; I'm not talking about running down to your
local Roman Catholic because you have a sudden urge to wash your face.
> Even if we could develop meaningful rites or rituals, however, I would
> still argue that it wouldn't be enough; we would still need to bring about
> fundamental changes in our relationships to society and to others.
I didn't mean to suggest it as an end-all to grief in society, but as a
means to become more connected with this thing life. I believe it's a
bit like "Hey, watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of
themselves." Everyone belongs to something.
> We need to develop something radically different. And it has to be good, or it won't
> make a bit of difference.
I think you'd be surprised at how much nothing has changed, at how many
universal myths are very much at work beneath today's surface. All you
have to do is look.
You know, it's just occured to me that the story of Holden Caufield has
been told before, a long, long time before, perhaps. (On a limb here,
but what the hell.) I'm going to have a hard look.
SGallagher
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