• Yes, there are many rituals … the ritual of graduation ceremonies comes to mind as one that is secular, and broadly recognized … also weddings. These are separate from the legal and institutional paperwork that formalizes getting a degree or marriage, but still important for individuals and their communities.

    I was not trying to imply that rituals are always supernatural, or that the Satanic Temple rituals are. It is good you pointed that out because it’s common people don’t really understand what rituals are, especially when you’re talking about paganism or Satanism, where “ritual” can be used in this nefarious, chic-tract way 🙃

    That doesn’t make them less of rituals, same with the Satanic Temple. What is interesting about the Satanic Temple is that they very explicitly address the topic of rituals. It’s like, yes people need rituals, but a lot of the time it’s tied to the belief in a supernatural power. But the embodiment of a belief or will or intent or whatever through the form of ritual can be psychologically extremely powerful, and they explicitly name that that’s what they are doing.

    • @stevedidwhat_infosec
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      11 month ago

      Couldn’t agree more - humans are very much so ritualistic beings. I find that most people just white-wash the word ritual with “routine” instead.

      Thanks satanic panic!