Question

Apply the symbolic interactionist perspective to religion: symbols, rituals, beliefs, and religious experience

Answer 1

Symbolic interactionists perspective on religion focuses on how people practice their faith. The perspective relates to how people interact in places of worship or religious houses. The concept relates to the understanding of how and why religious faith and practice have positive effects on individual psychology and physical condition. A cross is nothing but two lines or bars, forming the letter 't', but for Christians, the symbol of the cross has immense religious significance. The 'Star of David' is made up of two superimposed triangles, which assumes the shape of a 'six-pointed star'. For the Jews, this symbol has immense religious significance. It helps in the recollection of the history of oppression of the Jews.

Religious rituals and ceremonies are often immensely intense. Such rituals and ceremonies may lead to crying, laughing, trance-like conditions, a feeling of unity with people in the surrounding and unique emotional and psychological conditions. Religious experiences can be 'transformative' for many believers and followers. Religious experiences can also be 'deeply moving' for many other believers and followers.