It's wonderful to see the Rites and Ritual thread taking shape. I would like to suggest a general discussion topic about this matter (one could call it any other way...) and I will try to explain my point *S*. In any religion, the place of Ritual is so important (in some, more then other, obviously)! Even if I would love to discuss the historical issues, I am also interested in the "theory" related to the subject, and, most personnaly, in what way rituals have a place nowadays. Perhaps when one is born in a religious tradition and stays connected to that tradition, this is not a big issue, but when there is a change, I think this can become a crucial matter (anyway, for me it is!!).

I am mentionning religion, but with the many antropological/social studies on the subject we also know how rites are important in any society, even without the "religious" connection.