Living Religions of the West

Social Collectivism in Religious Rituals: The Cases of Judaism and Islam

Religion, as a sacred engagement of an individual to a spiritual experience, is laden with numerous elements that reinforce and inculcate within the individual the philosophies and teachings of the religion. One manifestation of these philosophies and teachings are through religious rituals, which are activities that an individual or group engage in to "personally experience" their faith and identity as member of the religious group. As a personal experience, religious rituals provide an individual with "a feeling of rebirth and renewal," where faith is reinforced and new meanings experienced by his/her socialization with the religious group are created (91). Apart from being a personal experience, religious rituals are also ways in which people can reinforce religion unto themselves and to others. Collective manifestation of religious faith serves as proof not only of unity, but understanding and harmony among its members.

Rituals, as means in which cohesion is developed, are manifested in the Jewish and Islamic rituals of Purim and Shahadah, respectively. Judaism, for example, celebrates Purim, a Jewish festival, in commemoration of the deliverance of Jews from Xerxes I (Persian King), as documented in the Book of Esther. Celebrated in the 14th and 15th day of the Jewish month Adar, Purim is manifested through feasting, almsgiving, and reading the Book of Esther. Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of this celebration is the act of merrymaking among the Jews. Eating and drinking is encouraged during the festival (up to certain amount or moderation, of course), especially the sharing of food and gifts to other people. Food and drinks serve as symbols of Jewish unity, where one's property is considered as others' own, thereby creating a collectivist society. Collectivism also developed into group identification, which is exactly what religious rituals create for religious societies -- to create group identities. Religious, or group, identities are formed through rituals because it illustrates the "loyalty of the members to those beliefs" (93).

Similarly, Muslims subsist to religious rituals as their way of affirming group identity, manifested through the Shahadah. Also called 'the profession of faith,' Shahadah is a prayer that Muslims utter and is the first pillar of the Five Pillars of Faith in Islam. The Shahadah proclaims faith to Allah and belief in Muhammad, who is considered Allah's messenger. Shahadah is an example of religious ritual identified as a "creedal announcement," which not only provides "self-identification," but also "reaffirm membership in the religious community" (93). Reciting the Shahadah everyday is more than part of religious ritual, even routine, to Muslims; moreover, this practice seeks to reinforce within the individual his/her identity as a Muslim, as well as his/her dedication to the teachings of Allah and Muhammad. Thus, like the Jews, Muslims are able to affirm group identity through religious 'announcements' or prayers, through the Shahadah.