rituals.
October 20, 2008
Ramadhan, the fasting month for muslims, just ended. And i found myself reflecting on whether i have learnt or fulfilled anything during the fasting period or have i just let it pass by like any normal day. Nevertheless, it has also made me ponder on why or how is it possible that some of us who are supposed to fast, do not, while others who do, fast because everyone else is doing it. It saddens me to think that some of us do not appreciate or truly understand the meaning or the whole idea of fasting. It’s not just about abstinence from food and drinks. But it’s also to have control over any bad impulses one has a tendency to make. A worrying matter is how you find teenagers these days forgo the idea of fasting. Perhaps to them, fasting is just like any other ritual which they can choose to not perform.
The idea of westernization may be a contributing factor, while some may feel that the upbringing of the child is probably a greater contributive factor to this matter. However, i feel that it is probably ongoing socialization that plays a huge part as to why the feel that the importance of religion is rather insignificant. Some of us may have this stereotyped view that when we see and individual who does not fast, or does something morally wrong, we simply wonder whether they have been brought up correctly by their parents. However, i feel that it will eventually be the child’s choice as to whether he wants to embrace the religion, or choose not to be as religious as how he is expected to be by the society. And this i believe highly depends on the influence he gets from the society or the environment he is in because those two aspects direct and mould the individual gradually. But what scares me more is perhaps, how some of the people view the obligatory task of fasting as some ritual.
Speaking of which, to what extent must a ritual be followed? Recently, there was an article on a couple beaten to death during a “cleansing” ritual in Malaysia. They were promised that after they are being pounded by their close relatives, they will faint but only to wake up rid off any illness. It baffles me that one might go to the extent and actually believe that such rituals exist. Such rituals probably do reflect on how a society is. Although there is a positive effect to the practice of these rituals – share common bonds or the build of solidarity among those who share the same sentiments in the particular religion/ritual – such rituals may probably lead to a deterioration in morality for both individuals as well as the society as one indulge oneself in a ritual that is known to cause harm both physically and mentally. Some may argue that those who go through rituals deemed to be more religious or one of those extremists and that people seek comfort, or even truth from these rituals, but i feel that it lies more on the fact that these people fail to see beyond the appearance and the reality behind these so called rituals. Perhaps proper education may help deal with this problem but at the end of the day, it all comes down to the socialization process. It is the people who have the capability hence influence is prone to happen. It is the step to break the practice of the ritual which has probably been going on for a long time that is the toughest, especially when the ritual is acknowledged by the society as a norm.
