Rituals are likely as old as humanity itself. For most of this long history, rituals have been situated within the context of religion and cult practices. Despite the tremendous diversity of known historical and contemporary rites across various cultures, one universal characteristic stands out: rituals are a social human practice. The French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) posited that the function of religion and rituals is primarily social. For Durkheim, religion is foremost societal phenomena that serve to maintain and strengthen social order by creating a shared belief and value system. Rituals play a central role in this process.
Summer Set Ablaze in Climate-Conscious Berlin
KREUZBERG, Berlin — At the Berlinische Galerie on Alte Jakobstraße, I rounded the corner to an exhibition room and was taken aback by a large,…