RITUAL AND IDENTITY: RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AS MARKERS OF CIVILIZATIONAL BOUNDARIES

Abstract

This article explores the complex relationship between religious rituals and cultural identity, focusing on how religious practices function as markers of civilizational boundaries. Rituals, as both symbolic and practical elements of religious expression, contribute significantly to the construction and reinforcement of social identities. By examining a variety of religious traditions from a cross-cultural perspective, the paper discusses how religious rituals delineate boundaries within and between civilizations. The paper explores the role of these rituals in defining community belonging, maintaining societal cohesion, and distinguishing cultural uniqueness in a globalized world. The analysis emphasizes the fluidity of religious practices and their role in both preserving and challenging traditional civilizational boundaries.