Does Christianity lack prescribed ritual to reinforce it. Why is that? (Jesus, rituals)

[Ozzie]

In countries where religion is a cornerstone of their culture, religious ritual is a daily occurence. Several examples come to mind. India- daily offerings are made, Thailand-daily offerings are made etc.

Ritual offerings are not prescribed in these cases, but they are certainly undertaken as a matter of course by most of the population in my experience.

Why does Christianity not follow similar trends? Is there some sort of prescription against ritual offerings in Christianity.

Or is there some other reason for the lack of publically observable daily worship in Christianity?

[spiritually inclined]

To my knowledge, prayer is very intrinsic to the daily life of a Catholic, and crossing themselves before and after prayer.

This in itself is a ritual to me, but I don't know of anything like making offerings.

I don't know why the church doesn't have more ritual for daily life.

James

[ChristineES]

Jesus told us that when we give to charity, to do it secretly. He told us to pray "in a closet" in other words in secret. He said some things about "people who make long prayers on a street corner" to please other people rather than please God. If you want to see what Christians do in worship, go to a Church or to a variety of Churches (each denomination will be different). Don't watch it on a tv show, since Hollywood has a distorted view of people (and not just religious people).

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

Why does Christianity not follow similar trends? Is there some sort of prescription against ritual offerings in Christianity.

For the better part of 2,000 years we have conformed our lives around worship of the one true God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every day there are some 500,000 masses offered to God in every country in the world.... some of us (me included) pray the Liturgy of the Hours which is daily prayer (7 or more) throughout the entire day.... I carry a rosary with me at all times and use if whenever I can during the day to stop and reflect of the life of Christ..... etc etc.

Or is there some other reason for the lack of publically observable daily worship in Christianity?

Maybe you just need to look at different Christians.

[Ozzie]

Originally Posted by Scott1

For the better part of 2,000 years we have conformed our lives around worship of the one true God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every day there are some 500,000 masses offered to God in every country in the world.... some of us (me included) pray the Liturgy of the Hours which is daily prayer (7 or more) throughout the entire day.... I carry a rosary with me at all times and use if whenever I can during the day to stop and reflect of the life of Christ..... etc etc.

Maybe you just need to look at different Christians.

No doubting the frequency of your ritual, but is there some reason for it being kept hidden?

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

In countries where religion is a cornerstone of their culture, religious ritual is a daily occurence. Several examples come to mind. India- daily offerings are made, Thailand-daily offerings are made etc.

Ritual offerings are not prescribed in these cases, but they are certainly undertaken as a matter of course by most of the population in my experience.

Why does Christianity not follow similar trends? Is there some sort of prescription against ritual offerings in Christianity.

Or is there some other reason for the lack of publically observable daily worship in Christianity?

In Western society, religion is generally more of an accessory than a way of life. It's something people take out and put on for a couple of hours once a week (or less), and then shelve it away until the next week. It's not viewed as an integral part of who people are like it is in other cultures.

[love]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

In countries where religion is a cornerstone of their culture, religious ritual is a daily occurence. Several examples come to mind. India- daily offerings are made, Thailand-daily offerings are made etc.

Ritual offerings are not prescribed in these cases, but they are certainly undertaken as a matter of course by most of the population in my experience.

Why does Christianity not follow similar trends? Is there some sort of prescription against ritual offerings in Christianity.

Or is there some other reason for the lack of publically observable daily worship in Christianity?

Of what importance could the living God find in ritual?
What a bitter taste it must be for the living God when someone comes to alter with hate in their heart.
Rituals can not cleanse.

[dawny0826]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

In countries where religion is a cornerstone of their culture, religious ritual is a daily occurence. Several examples come to mind. India- daily offerings are made, Thailand-daily offerings are made etc.

Ritual offerings are not prescribed in these cases, but they are certainly undertaken as a matter of course by most of the population in my experience.

Why does Christianity not follow similar trends? Is there some sort of prescription against ritual offerings in Christianity.

Or is there some other reason for the lack of publically observable daily worship in Christianity?

I guess it all boils down to how one defines "ritual". To live a Christian life is to make an effort with EVERYTHING that one does, large and small to follow Christ's example. Prayer, worship and assembly tradition are just parts of it. The true "ritual" in my opinion, is the day to day...living a life that pleases Christ.

[anders]

Originally Posted by Ozzie

No doubting the frequency of your ritual, but is there some reason for it being kept hidden?

In Matthew 6:6, Christ states, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."