Date of Completion
1-28-2011
Embargo Period
1-20-2011
Advisors
Bradley R.E. Wright; Claudio E. Benzecry
Field of Study
Sociology
Degree
Master of Arts
Open Access
Open Access
Abstract
In the contemporary West, religious worship is very much a collective, guided phenomenon. Based upon interviews and participant observation in Catholic, Congregationalist, and Evangelical services, this paper examines congregant emotional displays influenced via micro behavioral techniques utilized by church officials versus macro denominational meanings during religious ceremony. In particular, the argument is made that while performance acts used by church officials do have some impact upon the emotional expression of the congregation, it is the shared meanings expressed through the denominational tradition that exercise a significant influence upon emotional displays in rituals. Therefore, while ritual is guided, it is more through church culture than the “feeling tools” utilized by clergy.
Recommended Citation
Donnelly, Christopher M., "Kickin' it with God: Clerical Behavior, Denominational Meaning, and the Expression of Emotion in Ritual" (2011). Master's Theses. 28.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/gs_theses/28
Major Advisor
Clinton R. Sanders