Sacred and Profane

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The separation of things, actions, and ideas into two distinct categories: those that are holy or sacred and those that are worldly or profane.

Definition and Characteristics of Sacred and Profane: A basic understanding of what is meant by the terms "sacred" and "profane" and how they are defined within the context of anthropology of religion.
Emic Perspective: The perspective of those who practice a religion, which is often different from the outsider's perspective. Understanding the beliefs and practices from the perspective of the practitioners is important for an accurate understanding of a religion.
Etic Perspective: The perspective of the outsider observer who studies a religion. This perspective is important for an anthropological understanding of a religion, as it allows for an objective analysis.
Rituals and Symbolism: The ways in which religious beliefs are enacted through ritual practices and symbolism.
Mythology: The stories and beliefs that are central to a religion's identity and belief system.
Religious Practices: The specific practices and behaviors associated with a particular religion, such as prayer, meditation, fasting, and pilgrimage.
Taboo and Sacrifice: The practices of avoiding certain things considered taboo or sacrilegious and the rituals of sacrifice used to appease or honor the sacred.
Power and Authority: The role of religious leaders and hierarchy within a religion, as well as the ways in which religious authority is manifested and maintained.
Worldview and Cosmology: The beliefs and concepts that underlie a religion's view of the world, including concepts of creation, the afterlife, and the nature of reality.
Anthropological Theories of Religion: A broad overview of the various theoretical frameworks used in anthropology to understand religion, such as functionalism, structuralism, and interpretive approaches.
Rituals: A set of actions, words or objects that are considered to be sacred, often performed in a predetermined order, and intended to bring about a desired outcome.
Objects: Certain objects, such as idols, relics, and scriptures, are considered to be sacred in different religions.
Places: Different places have special significance and religious meanings. For example, Kaaba in Mecca is considered to be the most sacred place in Islam.
Time: Different times, such as certain days of the week, months or years, have religious significance in different religions.
Persons: Certain persons, such as prophets, saints, and spiritual leaders, are considered to be sacred figures in different religions.
Beliefs: Beliefs that are considered to be sacred and held by people in a group or culture.
Practices: Certain practices, such as meditation, prayer, and fasting, are considered to be sacred in different religions.
Symbols: Certain symbols, such as the cross, Om, and the Star of David, are considered to be sacred in different religions.
Social Structures: Certain social structures such as societal norms or rules that are considered to be sacred in different cultures.
Myths and narratives: Myths are a symbolic and metaphorical representation of the beliefs and concepts of the given religion or culture. Narrative’s a story that is told to teach moral lessons to people.
Taboos: Taboos are things or actions that are strongly prohibited in a culture or religion, often for religious or cultural reasons. They are usually viewed as profane.
Festivals and Ceremonies: Many religions celebrate festivals or ceremonies, which commemorate important events or convey religious messages.