What fundamental practices are the same? 

How are the practices different from one to another society? 

For this project, you will combine methods within your Toolkit in order to study a religious ritual, although the primary method will be participant observation. 

• Choose a religious group that interests you and attend a service, ceremony, or special event—all of these can be considered rituals as long as they occur within a religious context. You may need to contact a member or leader of the group in order to find out when they meet.
• From the beginning to the end of the service, jot down quick notes about what is happening and how the ritual transitions from one activity to another. 

Does the event open with some sort of invocation? If so, what is it, and what purpose does this serve? 

During the ritual process, what role does the sacred or supernatural play within the event? 

Also make note of the space in which the ritual occurred—how is it marked as sacred?

As you move through the ritual, how does the action change? 

• What is the demeanor and response of the audience participants and service leaders? 
• How is action accomplished as the ritual proceeds?
•              After finishing the participant observation, review and analyze your notes. What are the major stages and processes involved in this ritual?Write up your analysis and interpretation in 750-1250 words.

 

Religion (Christianity) and Cultural Contexts  

Christian weddings: it is often beautiful to witness two individuals consecrate their love before the Lord. A Christian marriage happens in a chapel or a church before a minister or a priest representing God’s presence. The minister or priest leads the two individuals in love in demonstrating their commitment to one another by taking their vows and blessing their union. It has a specific process and audience, including bible readings, meeting in a worship place, vows to take between the couple and rings exchange. Notably, a Christian wedding is a vital ceremony reflecting beliefs about marriage and is symbolic in many ways.   

Prayers are a way Christian weddings begin. The ceremony often begins in a church where the bride makes her entrance into the chapel. She will be in a white dress (most weddings) to symbolize that she is pure. It also means that Christians believe that the groom and bride must be virgins when they enter the marriage. Some denominations acknowledge that it may not be the case in the current world, but the white dress tradition is still accepted. The minister and the priest welcome the congregation. According to different denominations, wedding ceremonies vary. Therefore, it will not surprise when the wedding invocation is the opening prayer (Fairchild, 2019). Prayers are a vital ingredient for any Christian experience because it includes giving gratitude and invokes God’s presence and blessings for the service and its participants. The invocation is essential and can be couple tailored. Bible readings are read after they have been carefully chosen to discuss how marriage is necessary and to offer couple guidance. 

Christians consider the most critical step in a wedding ceremony is when the couple say their vows and exchange rings (Mackey, 2021). The vows symbolize the individuals' promises to one another; the vows may be written or not. After, the couples proceed to exchange rings. The rings have a circular shape indicating the eternal nature of Christian marriage. It has to last forever. According to Christians, Christian marriage is more than a social institution and is a supernatural calling (Catholiclink, n.d.). It is considered a contract in which a man and a woman enter permanently. It is through to be instituted by Christ; hence cannot be annulled. The man and the woman must integrate their family life with their spiritual life, ensuring that they sanctify themselves and their marriage.

After the wedding vows and rings are exchanged, the wedding procession proceeds to the reception's next part of the ceremony. It is not mandatory for the couple to host guests, but this is irresistible because no one would not want to extend the best days of their lives. The reception is usually at another selected location and includes a party with meals (Mackey, 2021). It is a hospitality approach for the wedding’s attendees; hence the term reception; the individuals receiving the community as friends and family for the first time as a couple. All through, this is a marriage celebration; therefore, it is a joyful occasion with well-dressed individuals, a large group of individuals socializing, eating, drinking, and respecting some of the traditions such as the bride throwing a bouquet to a bunch of single ladies.

Actions in a Christian wedding are done under God’s eyes or in his presence by completing a formal ceremony. I think that just as God was in control of giving Eve to Adam, God must be in the ceremony overseeing things. Jesus, God’s son, attended a wedding in Canaan, and if such an event were not pleasing in God’s eyes, he would not have attended. Jesus going to a wedding ceremony does not mean that God wants a formal ceremony, but it shows that a wedding is acceptable in God’s eyes (“What constitutes marriage,” 2021). Several cultures form the Christian community, and each culture observes some formal wedding process. Each culture has a covenant, action, event, proclamation, or action that acknowledges marriage for a man and a woman.

Additionally, several uniting ceremonies within weddings are tailored to a couple. These wedding rituals bind the couple, and while some may be unfamiliar, they are primarily based on spiritual or religious practices, and others developed from creative minds. The wedding I attended had one other ritual, candle lighting. There were three candles: a big one and two small ones. The groom and the bride take either of the small candles and light them, and together, they use the small candles to light the bigger one. It was a sign that the two flames become one, similarly to their lives. The ritual was an excellent way to show family and friends of the couple’s unity in marriage.

In conclusion, a wedding ceremony is the beginning of a journey into marriage. Many Christians believe that getting children and sexual relations begin after marriage, hence a stage of passage. A wedding ceremony is a social event where family, friends and a pastor or minister witness the union of individuals who love each other. The marriage is meant to last for eternity, and divorce is unacceptable unless in particular situations.

OUTLINE

Religion (Christianity) and Cultural Contexts

Christian Weddings

A Christian marriage happens in a chapel or a church before a minister or a priest representing God’s presence.

Invocation

• Prayers are a way Christian weddings begin.
• The ceremony often begins in a church where the bride makes her entrance into the chapel. Christians believe that the groom and bride must be virgins when they enter the marriage. The minister and the priest welcome the congregation.
• According to different denominations, wedding ceremonies vary.
• Therefore, it will not surprise when the wedding invocation is the opening prayer (Fairchild, 2019).
• Prayers are a vital ingredient for any Christian experience because it includes giving gratitude and invokes God’s presence and blessings for the service and its participants.
• The invocation is essential and can be couple tailored.
• Christians consider the most critical step in a wedding ceremony is when the couple say their vows and exchange rings (Mackey, 2021).
• Christian marriage is more than a social institution and is a supernatural calling (Catholiclink, n.d.).
• After the wedding vows and rings are exchanged, the wedding procession proceeds to the reception's next part of the ceremony.
• Actions in a Christian wedding are done under God’s eyes or in his presence by completing a formal ceremony.
• Additionally, several uniting ceremonies within weddings are tailored to a couple.
• In conclusion, a wedding ceremony is the beginning of a journey into marriage.
• Many Christians believe that getting children and sexual relations begin after marriage, hence a stage of passage.
• A wedding ceremony is a social event where family, friends and a pastor or minister witness the union of individuals who love each other.

The marriage is meant to last for eternity, and divorce is unacceptable unless in particular situations.