Holy Tears: The Significance of Weeping in Religious Thought
Journal name: Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions
Original article title: Kimberley Christine Patton, John Stratton Hawley, éds., Holy Tears. Weeping in the Religious Imagination
The journal “Archives of Social Sciences of Religions” publishes advanced research on religion in French, English, and Spanish. It studies the sociology of religions and religious traditions or theologies. It is supported by the INSHS-CNRS (“Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales”)
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Subtitle: Princeton & Oxford, Princeton University Press,2004, xii+317 p.
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André Padoux
Archives De Sciences Sociales Des Religions:
(Founded in 1956 and published quarterly”)
Full text available for: Kimberley Christine Patton, John Stratton Hawley, éds., Holy Tears. Weeping in the Religious Imagination
Year: 2006 | Doi: 10.4000/assr.4015
Copyright (license): © Archives de sciences sociales des religions
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The volume "Holy Tears: Weeping in the Religious Imagination," edited by Kimberley Christine Patton and John Stratton Hawley, delves into the multifaceted role of tears within various religious contexts. Despite tears being a significant aspect of human emotion, they have been less studied compared to other bodily fluids like blood and semen. The collection of essays included in this work arises from discussions held at the American Academy of Religion, focusing on the interplay between tears and spirituality, particularly in the wake of global events such as the September 11 attacks. The editors highlight both the contextual and ritualistic dimensions of weeping in religious life, showcasing the complexity of emotions expressed through tears.
Tears as a Ritualistic Expression
One prominent theme explored in the collection is the concept of ritualized weeping, which emphasizes the social and cultural functions of tears. Various essays investigate the use of tears in formal ceremonies and rituals, illustrating how they serve not only as personal expressions of grief but also as communal acts that bind together individuals within a cultural framework. For example, in ancient Greece, ritual lamentations during funerals evoke a collective mourning that integrates private sorrow into public life. Similarly, in the context of the Yoruba people in Nigeria, tears during marriage ceremonies express the profound emotions experienced by participants, simultaneously performing a rite of passage and fostering a sense of community. These ritualized expressions raise questions about the nature of tears, their spontaneity, and the emotions that inspire them.
Tears in Religious Narrative and Tradition
Another significant focus of the essays is the narrative and theological dimensions of tears within religious traditions. For instance, contributions examine tears in Sufism and Shiite commemorations, where tears become a means of connecting with the divine and embodying shared grief. A noteworthy exploration is presented in the context of Jewish sources, detailing how tears are viewed as potent symbols capable of invoking divine attention and mercy, with rich historical references to biblical figures like Jeremiah and Rachel. In Christianity, the analysis of figures like Margery Kempe reveals how public weeping was both an expression of deep personal devotion and a communal call to shared emotion. This interplay of narrative, emotion, and spirituality underscores tears as a vital conduit through which human experiences intersect with religious imagination.
Conclusion
Overall, "Holy Tears" offers significant insights into how weeping operates as both a personal and communal mode of expression across various religious contexts. The essays contribute to an understanding of tears as not merely individual manifestations of grief but as profound symbols rich in meaning and cultural significance. The discussions highlight the enduring relevance of tears as a medium through which humans navigate their relationships with the transcendent and express complex emotional states. The collection thus merits attention for its thoughtful exploration of the powerful role of tears in shaping religious experience and discourse.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main topic of the book 'Holy Tears'?
'Holy Tears' explores the significance of weeping in religious contexts, examining its psychological, social, and cultural aspects, and how it mediates the connection between individuals and the divine.
How do tears relate to cultural and religious practices?
Tears in various societies can serve ritualistic functions, enhance communal experiences during ceremonies like weddings or mourning, and symbolize deep emotional states, as highlighted by historical and contemporary practices.
What examples of tears are highlighted in different religions?
The book discusses tears in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism, providing diverse examples such as Margery Kempe's lamentations, ritual mourning in ancient Greece, and the emotional poetics of Shiite majlis poetry.
How do the editors Kimberly Christine Patton and John Stratton Hawley approach the topic?
Patton and Hawley curate contributions from various scholars, presenting distinct cultural interpretations of tears, emphasizing their roles as emotional expressions and their social, political, and spiritual implications throughout history.
What unique perspective does the book provide on weeping?
The book examines tears not just as personal expressions of grief but as collective emotional phenomena that can foster community, highlight shared experiences, and connect individuals to a larger spiritual narrative.
Glossary definitions and references:
Theological and religious glossary list for “Holy Tears: The Significance of Weeping in Religious Thought”. The list explains important keywords that occur in this and other scholarly articles. It is also linked to the glossary for understanding that concept in the context of History, Religion, Philosophy, Theology, Sociology etc.
1) Human:
Tears reveal much about the human experience, as they connect physical pain, sorrow, and deep personal emotions with the broader context of human society.
2) Religion:
In various cultures, religion plays a crucial role in interpreting tears as expressions of devotion, emotion, and communal experiences related to faith.
3) Pain:
Tears often serve as an expression of pain, bridging the internal struggles of an individual with external manifestations that can resonate in religious practices.
4) Death:
Death evokes tears deeply tied to emotional responses in religious contexts, revealing societal norms surrounding mourning and the rituals that accompany loss.
5) Devotion (Devoted):
In the religious imagination, devotion can be expressed through tears, showcasing the intensity of feelings associated with worship and connection to the divine.
6) Emotion:
Emotion is a fundamental aspect of crying, and the significance of tears lies in their ability to convey feelings that connect individuals to one another and the transcendent.
7) Poetry (Poetic, Poetical):
Poetry, especially in religious contexts, often evokes tears, as it captures complex emotional experiences through language that resonates with shared understanding.
8) India:
India has a rich tradition of expressing religious devotion through tears, often associated with stories and figures like Krishna and the gopis, reflecting deep cultural significance.
9) Woman (Women):
The tears of women in religious contexts are often seen as normative, shaped by cultural narratives that associate feminine identity with emotional expression.
10) Manifest (Manifested, Manifestation, Manifesting):
Tears can be seen as a manifestation of internal emotional states, revealing how individuals process their relationships with the divine and their communities.
11) Destruction:
The destruction caused by events, such as the September 11 attacks, brings forth tears as communities come together to grieve collectively, illustrating shared pain.
12) Doctrine:
Religious doctrines often interpret tears symbolically, considering their implications for human behavior, especially in contexts of mourning, devotion, and redemption.
13) Krishna (Krsna):
In the stories of Krishna, tears from the gopis during their devotion reflect complex emotions tied to love and longing, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of weeping.
14) Greece:
In ancient Greece, cultural practices included rituals where tears played a significant role, underscoring the intertwining of memory, community, and personal sorrow.
15) Nature:
[see source text or glossary: Nature]
16) Sorrow:
Sorrow is a common theme in the shedding of tears, often articulated in religious and cultural traditions that provide context for collective mourning.
17) Gopis:
The gopis' emotional weeping for Krishna reflects themes of love and longing, highlighting how devotion can inspire profound expressions of grief and joy.
18) Sound:
[see source text or glossary: Sound]
19) Gopi:
The gopi's tears in devotional contexts serve as powerful symbols of the deep yearning and love towards Krishna, showcasing the emotional intensity of their relationship.
20) Poem:
Tears in poetry, especially in religious texts, illustrate the emotional depth and meaning imbued in sacred narratives and the universal human experience of grief.
21) Love:
Love is often a source of tears, particularly in religious devotion, where deep emotional bonds manifest visibly through crying and communal expressions of longing.
22) Supernatural power (Supernormal power, Magical power):
[see source text or glossary: Magical power]
23) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Tears can signify transformation, both in personal emotional states and in societal responses to shared grief, marking moments of prayer and reflection in rituals.
24) Communication (Communicating, Communicate, Communicated):
Tears facilitate communication of internal states, enabling individuals to share their burdens with others in religious contexts, fostering community connection.
25) Celebration:
In some traditions, tears arise during celebrations to mark significant moments, merging joy and sorrow as part of the human experience of devotion.
26) Discussion:
The discussion around tears in religious contexts reveals insights into cultural values, emotional expression, and the role of tears in communal and individual rituals.
27) Literature:
Tears are a common motif in literature, especially in narratives that explore the complexities of human emotion, grief, and the divine.
28) Compassion:
Compassion is often expressed through tears in religious contexts, illustrating the connection between individuals and the sacred as they witness suffering.
29) Reflection:
Tears inspire reflection on personal loss, devotion, and the nature of faith, acting as a gateway to understanding deeper spiritual truths.
30) Experience:
Crying is a profound human experience, often connected to pivotal moments in one's life that shape individual and collective relationships with the divine.
31) Sacrifice:
Tears can represent the themes of sacrifice, binding together the experiences of loss and devotion found in various religious narratives and rituals.
32) Language:
The language of tears transcends verbal communication, conveying emotions that often elude description, resonating in religious and personal contexts.
33) Marriage:
Tears in marriage rituals signify the emotional weight of the ceremony, emphasizing communal bonds, family ties, and the transition into a new life phase.
34) Politics:
[see source text or glossary: Politics]
35) Ointment:
[see source text or glossary: Ointment]
36) Interior:
Tears often express an interior emotional state, revealing feelings that might remain unspoken, yet communicated through the act of weeping.
37) External:
The external manifestation of tears connects deeply with internal emotional experiences, providing a visible expression of pain and sorrow in various cultures.
38) Peaceful:
[see source text or glossary: Peaceful]
39) Buddhism (Buddhist tradition):
In Buddhism, tears can symbolize compassion, and the practice of empathy often leads to emotional responses that connect individuals to shared suffering.
40) Village:
[see source text or glossary: Village]
41) Eternal:
The concept of eternal love, as showcased in devotional practices, often invokes tears, emphasizing the longing for connection beyond temporal boundaries.
42) Buddha:
[see source text or glossary: Buddha]
43) Family:
Tears often reinforce family bonds during moments of mourning, reflecting the collective grief shared among loved ones in religious rituals.
44) Bitter:
[see source text or glossary: Bitter]
45) Temple:
In religious temples, tears often flow during rituals and prayers, adding a sacred dimension to communal experiences of grief and devotion.
46) Suradasa (Surdas):
Surdas' poetry illustrates the tears shed by the gopis, encapsulating the intersection of love and devotion within the larger narrative of Krishna.
47) Sex (Sexual):
[see source text or glossary: Sexual]
48) Rashi (Rasi):
Rashi's interpretations of tears in Jewish texts underscore their significance in sacred narratives, emphasizing themes of mourning, sacrifice, and divine connection.
49) Lover:
Tears shed for a lover reveal the depth of human emotion, often bridging the personal experience with broader themes of devotion in religious contexts.
50) Power:
The power of tears to convey deep emotion and shared experience highlights their role in cultural and religious practices across societies.
51) Depth:
The depth of tears reflects the complexity of human emotion, evoking connections between individuals and their beliefs in a transcendent context.
52) Image:
[see source text or glossary: Image]
53) Blood:
Tears, often compared to blood and semen in their significance, indicate a profound bodily connection to emotion and the expression of shared human experiences.
54) Semen:
[see source text or glossary: Semen]
55) Limit (Limiting, Limited):
[see source text or glossary: Limit]
56) Realm:
[see source text or glossary: Realm]
57) Foot (Feet):
Tears can often flow in moments of humility and devotion symbolically, as seen in traditions where individuals express their reverence at the feet of the divine.
58) Dead:
Tears shed for the dead illustrate the intense sorrow associated with loss, serving as both a personal and collective expression of mourning.