Liberating Rites by Tom F. Driver - 1997: Understanding the Transformative Power of Ritual

Good condition. Text may exhibit pencil or pen markings and highlighting. | In Liberating Rites, Tom Driver illuminates the role of ritual by removing it from its liturgical wrappings and presenting it as something raw, basic, and central to all living beings. He then examines the varied ways humans use ritual to give order to their lives, to provide a sense of security and control, especially in the face of extreme power. From there, Driver looks closely at how ritual creativity and performance are central to enacting religious beliefs and how rituals serve to transform individuals into members of communities. The result is an accessible and engaging discussion of ritual, ideal for undergraduate courses ranging from introduction to religioj to pschology of religion and sociology of religion.—Book jacket