Comparing the Coming of Age Ceremonies of Religions - Research Paper Example

Comparing the Coming of Age Ceremonies for Christianity, Judaism and Islam The ‘Coming of Age’ Different religions are founded on different religious beliefs, teachings, and philosophies that are manifested in their practices and norms. Every religious institution has established a foundation that guides its operation and practices. These differences between Christianity, Judaism, and Muslim are openly evidenced in the teaching, worship, and rituals. One of the religious practices that have attracted interests by openly displaying these differences is the coming of age ceremonies that are spearheaded by each religious faction. Muslims, Christians, and Judaism groups conduct the same religious exercise differently, evidence that confirm such differences. Notably, this practice is valued and honoured by all the three religions given its importance in a religious setup. ‘Coming of Age’ is a very important function in the history of religion as it dates back as old as the religions. This is a fundamental stage in one’s life that is initiated and conducted differently by different religious institutions. Coming of Age represents the transition process to adulthood from childhood in the society. The nature and the age of this transition often vary from one religion and divide to another, but with some aspects being similar. In nearly all the three religions, this transition is commonly associated with the sexual maturity age or early adolescence. However, in other religions like Judaism, ‘Coming of Age’ is only associated with the religious responsibility and age. The attainment of this age marks an important stage of an individual within the religious institution. It is after the ‘Coming of Age’ period that a believer crosses over to adulthood with full responsibility and getting more spiritual recognition within the group (Coogan, 2003). Being an adult after undergoing this ritual gives the member the rights, responsibilities, and obligations that had been limited. Christians, Judaism, and Islam conduct ceremonies to mark this important occasion that comes with benefits and other adulthood packages, which are strictly served for adults. As notes the Rite of Passage Institute of Cleveland, “The final entrance into adulthood has been provided from time immemorial by the ‘coming of age’ ceremony….. It marked a critical expansion moment, the entrance into larger responsibilities, large privileges, larger secrets, larger institutions, and larger understandings.” (Coogan, 2003, pp.67) Coming of Age Ceremony for Christians The Western Christians and the Roman Catholic Church conduct the ‘Coming of Age’ ceremony differently. According to the Western Christianity, coming of age is a transition stage in a Christian’s life is marked with celebrations and Sacrament of Confirmation. The Eastern Orthodox Christians get confirmed immediately after baptism when one is still an infant. The Bishop does this by laying his Holy hands on the foreheads of the youths who are usually aged 12 to 15. The laying of the hand by the church Bishops serve as the Holy Spirit’s seal. The after the confirmation, the child transcends to an adult before God, therefore, entitled to all the privileges and rights enjoyed by the adults of Christina faith. In some Christian faiths, such as Roman Catholic, during sacrament and confirmation, the child adopts a name to his/her Christian name, popularly referred to as the confirmation name. Christians conduct believer’s baptism (a voluntary baptism) only ones an individual has attained the accountability age. This gives the baptized believers the right to share in the blood of Jesus Christ through Holy Communion celebrations. The Second Vatican Council has also withheld the confirmation age until mid-teens after one attains the recommended accountability age and after successfully undergoing the catechesis preparation period. The ‘coming of age’ therefore, marks an end to the perpetual state of innocence. According to the Ancient Romans, the ‘coming of age’ serve as a puberty ritual strictly for the males and the ritual involves taking off of bulla (an amulet for underage protections) and shaving of beards, that are dedicated to the Lares, the household gods. It is after this that the boy assumes full manhood or toga virilis, in church. From the Christian point of view, seven gifts are given during the confirmation ceremony. These Holy Spirit gifts include the gift of wisdom, gift of understanding, the gift of right judgment, the fortitude gift, the gift of knowledge, the gift of piety/reverence, and the gift of wonder and awe (Harvey, 2012). These gifts are important for the day-to-day life of a Christian. Coming of Age Ceremony among Islam The Islamic religion, unlike Christianity or Judaism has no definitive religious ceremonies and beliefs that are conducted in recognition of the ‘coming to age’ rituals. Instead, children aged above seven years are encouraged to commence daily prayer programs aimed at strengthening their faith and belief. In the selected Islamic cultures, children above seven years are made to undergo Sehra ceremony to mark the transition process from childhood to adulthood in religious affairs (Coogan, 2003). The same ceremony is conducted when boys and girls are perceived to have satisfactorily met the ‘come of age’ requirements, based on their physical appearance and puberty signs. This occurs at the age of 15-17, and it is after attaining this age that the Muslim community holds their teens accountable for every action and decision they make. Having joined adulthood, the teens are expected to participate in Salah in addition to other religious obligations that come with adulthood (Esposito, 2002). Coming of Age Ceremony in Judaism Judaism conducts a “coming of age’ rituals for both girls and boys. The Bat Mitzvahs and Bar Mitzvahs are the names given to these ceremonies for girls and boys respectively, making them “daughters and sons of commandment”. In terms of age, boys must be slightly older than ladies as the boys are only permitted to undergo this ritual at the age of 13 years. Girls, on the other hand, are allowed to take part in Bat Mitzvahs at the age of 12 (Brodd, 2009). Although the ‘coming of age’ ceremonies are not mandatory among the Jewish, the ritual is socially acceptable in the modern time, and families are encouraged to hold the celebration for their boys and girls. At this age, the new women and men of the Jewish origin are perceived as mature adults, therefore, expected to hold and protect the Jewish laws and commandments. Although recommended, boys and girls that have attained this age can actively engage in religious obligations without necessarily undergoing this ritual. Upon reaching this age, the young adults have the right to lead religious services and functions, count in minyan, enter into binding contracts, marry, and testify before the Judaism courts. References Brodd, J. (2009). World Religions. Winona, MN: Saint Marys Press. Coogan, M. (2003). The Illustrated Guide to World Religions. Oxford University Press. Esposito, J. (2002). What everyone needs to know about Islam. Oxford University Press. Harvey, P. (2012). An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices. Cambridge University Press. Read More