Abstract

Rhythmic body movements and dancing, as well as singing, have been used as a means and inspiration for both individual and communal spiritual experience throughout the history of religions. This article takes a tentative look at the contemporary neocharismatic culture of celebration as a means of aiming at religious experience through collective bodily practice; namely praising, which is generally understood to take the form of singing but is, in fact, expressed also in bodily movements such as dancing. In the neocharismatic context, a celebration means a certain type of a meeting with a special focus on contemplative worship and prayer, accompanied with lively music of praise. First, the historical background of the neo­charismatic branch is outlined shortly. Secondly, the tradition of praise itself within this context is described – what are the insider definitions and what kinds of forms praise in the culture of celebration actually includes, especially in Finland. The description is basically based on internet material and the author's previous field experiences in the Word of Life congregational meetings and other charismatic Christian events. In conclusion, acts of praise as a source of religious experience are discussed.

Highlights

  • Grass roots of anthropology, the body can be seen as a locus of social practice (Csordas 2002: 241–2)

  • I will tentatively look at the contemporary neocharismatic culture of celebra­ tion as a means of aiming at religious experience through collective bodily practice; namely praising, which is generally understood to take the form of singing but is, expressed in bodily movements such as dancing

  • To sum up the description of neocharismatic culture of celebration, praising as a bodily practice can be placed into three categories

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Summary

The neocharismatic culture of celebration

When people describe their experiences, even the spiritual ones, there are often physiological components to their descriptions. Material bodies allow us to experience spiritual things (e.g. Fuller 2008) Physiological processes, such as arousal, may be involved in some aspects of religious experience, and they may be actively sought, too. Rhythmic body movements and dancing, as well as singing, have been used as a means and inspiration for both individual and communal spiritual experience throughout the history of religions. In this presentation, I will tentatively look at the contemporary neocharismatic culture of celebra­ tion as a means of aiming at religious experience through collective bodily practice; namely praising, which is generally understood to take the form of singing but is, expressed in bodily movements such as dancing. I discuss acts of praise as a source of religious experience

The background of the tradition
The culture of celebration
Concluding remarks
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