The role of emotion in religion

Abstract

The dissertation considers the role of emotions in religions. This is accomplished by looking at how emotion is present in different rituals experienced at certain stages in life. The phenomenological method was used to obtain and analyse the information. No fieldwork was done for this study, and all the information obtained was compiled out of existing data. A multidisciplinary path was chosen to give a complete view of emotions, enabling the research to view emotions from multiple angles. Each of the rituals associated with birth, coming-of-age, marriage, and death have been described and observed in all three religions. The aim was to indicate the role emotions play in each of the rituals across the religions and compare the emotions observed in the rituals. When looking at the religions’ interpretations and rituals, they are completely different but looking at their objective and emotions; the rituals become similar. In each of the rituals, emotions are invoked; these emotions alter the adherent’s reality and how they experience the event. However, it also became clear that the emotions presented by the religion are not always the emotions felt by the participant. Emotions are complex, and multiple emotions can compound, creating conflicting emotions in the participants. The research has then proven that emotions do play a role in religion. The complexity of emotions is seen in multiple levels in the group or religion, interpersonal relationships, and personal. Each level may interact with the other and can change the view of the rituals by altering emotions or varying the emotions. The rituals are especially important to the religions and the participants. This dissertation is showing that in rituals, emotions play a cardinal role. Emotions are complex and need to be understood in a multidisciplinary view. By viewing emotions in the rituals from an interdisciplinary perspective, it becomes clear that emotions play a role in religion. However, it can also alter the reality of the participants. By addressing emotion and religion, it can help the participants of religions to understand the other. Through the act of understanding emotion, the other may be seen in a different light. Understanding that each religion has in their rituals emotion embedded may humanise the other.