Analysis of Sacred Spaces, Places and Rituals in the Christian Church

This essay explores the significance of sacred spaces, places, and rituals within a Christian church, specifically referencing the Church of South India. It examines the perspectives of both insiders (believers) and outsiders regarding these elements, highlighting differences in their understanding and appreciation. Insiders view these aspects through the lens of faith and religious belief, while outsiders may focus on secular values and social programs. The essay discusses how rituals, such as those observed in the Church of South India, connect believers to their faith and how the church's programs benefit both insiders and outsiders, particularly women and children. Ultimately, the essay concludes that while insiders and outsiders may have different perspectives, both groups recognize the importance of places, spaces, and rituals in reflecting their values and beliefs.

Running head: CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Christian Church
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
The places, spaces and rituals are very much sacred to human beings within the church.
This is why people respect the church so much, both from inside and outside. The sacred space is
a place that is completely different from other places and it is revered through everywhere. The
word ‘sacred’ is very much complicated from different aspects (Grigoriadis, 2018: p. 88). There
are some things that are beyond the natural experience of all human beings. Therefore, it would
be highly important that these things will have to express somehow or in some different manners.
The actual dictionary meaning of sacred is something that is not profane or secular. The
Churches in the states have been given the ultimate respect and reverence since God resides in
the church. This is why from an inside perspective it can be said that believers of faith and
religion always see church as a building where they can open up their mind, confess their guilt,
desire for their wishes to come true and many more. The Catholic Christians have always given
much time to the adoring of their sacred space. The outsiders are fascinated by the great domes
of architecture that are of immense significance (Grigoriadis, 2018: p. 67).
Places
The church that has to be mentioned here is Church of South India i.e. situated at
Tranquebar in South India. The concepts of space, rituals and place are so very important in this
scenario. The church mentioned here is one of the most significant churches in South India. It is
in the state of Tamil Nadu in India (Lefebvre, H., & Nicholson-Smith, 1991: p. 85). It is a
Protestant church and it was set up in the year 1947. Many religious rituals take place in this
church and the most prominent of these is Christmas without any doubt.

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Durkheim has explored the disposition of ancient societies about their stance regarding
religion. The beliefs and values within the society are also very crucial in this scenario.
Therefore, the utility of ethnographic method has to be incorporated in this scenario. Durkheim
has also expressed his view that there are different forms of correspondent reactions between the
sacred and profane but the desire of human beings is to attain greater spiritual satisfaction from
the internal perspectives.
Spaces
According to believers of religion, nature is probably the purest thing in the universe. So,
everyone has to understand the different dimensions of explaining this issue from both
perspectives. The sacred spaces, places and ritual are very much evident from both the insider
and outsiders’ perspectives. However, both these perspectives are not at all similar from different
aspects. The insiders view it from the concept of faith, belief and other religious beliefs.
Religious people always have a belief that nature is not only just ‘natural’ but it has a deep
routed significance related to religion or church. Spiritual people have gone on to discover
several things from religious perspectives since the term ‘sacred’ has different undertones (Bell,
1997: p. 45). Religious people or insiders are of the opinion that this world has a proper structure
and it is governed by God.
Rituals
The creation of the world is deeply relevant to understand that divinity is all around the
world and insiders of the church should abide by the sacred spaces and rituals (Bell, 1997: p. 44).
The insiders of the church have explained that cosmic religion and divine faith are central to the
sacredness of the church from several aspects. It will be quite difficult for outsiders to have a

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proper understanding of this view. Therefore, insiders believe that cosmos is the central theme
for the sacredness and reality. The two complex ideologies of ontophany and hierophany go on
to meet each other in terms of faith and belief (Smith, 1992: p. 56). The celestial aspects of
religion are very significant as rituals to observe. Many rituals are observed in this Church of
South India like programs for youth like class and caste system, ecology, patriarchy and many
others. Many programs for different kinds of women are also observed in this church like
displaced, migrant workers, women belonging to unorganized sectors, arranging for several
training programs in Diocesan and many more. The Church of South India also follows Anglican
rituals and it is the second largest church in India. The moderator of this church is Thomas K.
Oommen. This is also probably the largest Protestant in India. The various campaigns organized
by CSI are helpful to observe rituals through fellowship programs for women and many more.
The outsiders also believe in the different faith programs and social programs organized by the
church.
Followers of this church have full faith in God and Christ and they believe that all their
sins would be relieved by Jesus. The priests and missionaries of this church often seem to be
committed to the will of God. The space of the church has been characterized by the relationship
between calling to people by God and wishes of God in this world (Lefebvre, H., & Nicholson-
Smith, 1991: p. 85). All kinds of elements like Episcopal, Presbyterian and Congregational are
present in this church. The priests of this church follow the different rituals of church and they
have always regarded this place as a source of inspiration and motivation for life.
It is very evident that the same places, spaces and rituals are very much important for
both the perspectives as insiders and outsiders. The insiders will like the rituals as they worship
the benevolence of God. The outsiders are very much benefitted from the campaigns that are

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organized by the above mentioned church. Especially, the women and children are largely
benefitted from this. Apart from that, both the insiders and outsiders think that places, spaces and
rituals are important because it reflects their values and beliefs in their lives. The trust and faith
in God is probably the best motivation for them.
Conclusion
Insiders of the church simply believe in these rituals as they think they will get blessings
from God and Jesus Christ. Outsiders are not so fascinated about these rituals and sacred spaces.
They believe in secularism and equality among human beings irrespective for their religions
(Smith, 1992: p. 34). Non-believers also do not have a regard for the transcendence and infinite
attributes of the omnipotent God. Therefore, it is highly important to disclose the fact that
outsiders have their own view of approaching heaven i.e. very profane according to their values
and norms.

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Reference and Bibliography
Bell, C. M. (1997). Ritual: Perspectives and dimensions. Oxford University Press on Demand.
Eliade, M. (1959). The sacred and the profane: The nature of religion (Vol. 144). Houghton
Mifflin Harcourt.
Grigoriadis, T. (2018). Religion and comparative development. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.
Lefebvre, H., & Nicholson-Smith, D. (1991). The production of space (Vol. 142). Blackwell:
Oxford.
Merrifield, A. (2013). Henri Lefebvre: A critical introduction. Routledge.
Smith, J. Z. (1992). To take place: Toward theory in ritual. University of Chicago Press.