As a basis for this discussion, we need an understanding of the characteristics a generic religious service.
Here are five elements common to community religious services. A community of faithful gathers . . .
1. In a sacred or holy place (a sanctuary), which is designated by symbols of the faith.
2. Under leadership of a designated holy person (priest, pastor, rabbi, shaman), who often wears clothing symbolic of the faith.
3. To thank God (or “gods”) for blessings received and to ask God (”gods”) for additional blessings.
4. To hear from the worship leader a message (homily, sermon), whose purpose is to strengthen tenets of the faith and cultural expectations.
5. To hear, see, and participate in music and dance, whose purpose is to strengthen tenets of the faith and cultural expectations.
Consider then the religious practices of the first groups of people, the tribes, and in particular shamanism, which is practiced even today in remote parts of the world. Their religious practices generally adhere to the five attributes listed above.
In particular, shamans are likely to wear animal headdresses. Also, they rely on mystical experiences that invite spiritual communications, which are induced in remote (sacred) locations by fasting, sleep deprivation, repetitive meditation & chanting, and/or hallucinogenic drugs.
Some of the most ancient European cave paintings include stick figures with animal headdresses. Moreover, some of the paintings are found extremely deep in caves, in alcoves that would hold one or at most two people, which would have been ideal for sensory deprivation while fasting.
According to the archeologist Jean Clottes (in his book ”What is Paleolithic Art?”) the figures with animal headdresses represent early tribal shamans.
And according to anthropologists, some of these cave figures date to the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic, over 40,000 years ago.
Final note: it is possible that the rock art of the Australian Aborigines goes back even farther, over 50,000 years.
Comments appreciated.
Here are five elements common to community religious services. A community of faithful gathers . . .
1. In a sacred or holy place (a sanctuary), which is designated by symbols of the faith.
2. Under leadership of a designated holy person (priest, pastor, rabbi, shaman), who often wears clothing symbolic of the faith.
3. To thank God (or “gods”) for blessings received and to ask God (”gods”) for additional blessings.
4. To hear from the worship leader a message (homily, sermon), whose purpose is to strengthen tenets of the faith and cultural expectations.
5. To hear, see, and participate in music and dance, whose purpose is to strengthen tenets of the faith and cultural expectations.
Consider then the religious practices of the first groups of people, the tribes, and in particular shamanism, which is practiced even today in remote parts of the world. Their religious practices generally adhere to the five attributes listed above.
In particular, shamans are likely to wear animal headdresses. Also, they rely on mystical experiences that invite spiritual communications, which are induced in remote (sacred) locations by fasting, sleep deprivation, repetitive meditation & chanting, and/or hallucinogenic drugs.
Some of the most ancient European cave paintings include stick figures with animal headdresses. Moreover, some of the paintings are found extremely deep in caves, in alcoves that would hold one or at most two people, which would have been ideal for sensory deprivation while fasting.
According to the archeologist Jean Clottes (in his book ”What is Paleolithic Art?”) the figures with animal headdresses represent early tribal shamans.
And according to anthropologists, some of these cave figures date to the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic, over 40,000 years ago.
Final note: it is possible that the rock art of the Australian Aborigines goes back even farther, over 50,000 years.
Comments appreciated.
