Abstract: Rituals As A Way of Obtaining 'Free' Information

Progression is defined as the "process of developing or movement towards an advanced state", according to the dictionary. In todays world advancement is tied to knowledge: knowledge of materials, knowledge of historical context, knowledge of business, knowledge of manufacturing, etc. Knowledge is often not free. It is expensive monetarily and in the amount of time allocated towards it's cultivation. Rituals, be it religious or social were a way for people to cultivate knowledge freely for progression to an advanced state. Religion has protective teachings for survival of an individual, as well as a given group of people. It also provides hope and motivation of being in touch with a higher being. We all know the story of Moses and similar stories from multiple cultures that provide hope in chosen individuals being privy to advanced knowledge that could not easily be obtained through any other method. Social rituals create a safety net, widen a person's repertoire for exposure to various forms of knowledge, and hopefully fulfill emotional needs in the process. Rituals have helped to level the playing field in the pursuit of knowledge for advancement of individuals and a given group of people.

The gods or god, if defined as the most knowledgeable or most wealthy of a society have access to information the rest of us do not. Every group has individuals at the top. In the past, religion was a group that included individuals from every social level. Information was shared and given to all the people of this group. Connections between group members could form that may have otherwise never have formed. Advancement of an individual from the lower ranks could only advance through advanced knowledge. An individual of higher class could keep rank through advanced knowledge as well. However, I speculate that those privy to higher knowledge could not always risk being associated with an individual of lower status. Through other avenues, gave individual of the group deserving of help, more respect or connection. Out of a need, for that individual to be feared or more highly regarded.

After my own personal experience of sorts, I became interested in rituals of various places and cultures as well as individuals like Joan of Arc and Moses, etc and the passing of 'free' knowledge.

Joan of Arc was a heroic, interesting and strange individual I think most would agree. If simplified for the purposes of this papers argument, she was ahead of her time. It is said she dressed as a man; to avoid the attention of the gaurds. Possibly to avoid rapes or sexual advances that woman could receive, and instead wanted to be seen as an equal to men. On one hand, probably embarrassing to those close to her, in relation to social norms or rules of womans propriety. However, Those with the most knowledge and thus understanding of her situation would have seen the intelligence in it. She believed she spoke with god and was able to use the information to cause actual physical help for her group, but was feared and looked at oddly and ultimately as a witch. Fear of the unknown always causes people to formulate reasons or designations to seperate out the unknown or feared; To create a 'other'. I argue that it was this dichotomy of smart yet societal oddness that created her unique situation and her abilities to access free knowledge others were not privy to. A "God" watching out for her. Helping keep her in her position; a higher revered position than she likely would have had otherwise.




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