I was listening to a radio interview the other day of Sasha Sagan, daughter of the late astronomer and science communicator Carl Sagan, who talked about the significance of rituals and ceremonies in American life.
She maintained that somehow the simple act of going through the motions in what seems to be a superficial demonstration provides so many of us with some kind of positive feeling. Sometimes that feeling can be so powerful that those who dare question or criticize it are greeted with scorn and derision, or even worse, loss of status or job.
Sagan gave as an example graduation ceremonies, noting a huge number of high school seniors in the last year have expressed disappointment that their commencement exercises were canceled or altered by Covid-19. She said somehow there is great meaning in simply walking across a stage wearing a gown and a funny looking hat with a tassel.
Indeed, Hopkins, Wayland and Martin held outdoor ceremonies last summer, long after the traditional graduations, in a sincere effort to somehow make up for the loss.
But there are many more examples than graduations.
The Wayland girls’ varsity basketball team this past week gathered for a ceremony to cut down the net in the gym, a tradition for teams who win a tournament. They weren’t able to do that during the winter because of Covid. It shouldn’t be hard to believe the simple act of taking turns to cut down a net on a basketball hoop could mean so much and be so satisfying.
I learned a long time ago about a poll of the congregation at the United Church of Wayland that clearly identified communion as the most meaningful part of the Sunday service. It wasn’t the sermon, it wasn’t the fellowship, it wasn’t the lifting up of prayer.
My wife told me the story of the aftermath of her father’s death in 2004. He had expressly forbidden any kind of funeral. She and her four siblings quarreled a great deal about things until somebody came up with the idea of planting a tree in his memory. A pastor showed up for the ceremony and said a few words.
Almost immediately afterward, the siblings all began to get along again. It was nothing less than therapeutic.
The seemingly simple act of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance has tremendous meaning for most. I’ve had friends who did not stand for the practice and when asked why, he replied,” I’ve already pledged, many times.”
His comment was about as popular as AOC appearing at a Trump rally.
I always stand for the Pledge and put my right hand over my heart because for me it’s just good manners in public. But I do not utter “Under God” because it was inserted into the original in 1954 by a Congress fearful during the Joe McCarthy Era.
Then there’s the National Anthem. I’ve always stood for that, once again because it’s good public manners. Those who don’t stand are demonized and football player Colin Kaepernick lost his job and to this day has suffered as a social leper for deciding to take a knee while the music’s playing. Never mind that he didn’t mean disrespect for the flag, but wanted to call attention to a social problem.
The National Football League earlier in this century insisted that the players come out of the locker rooms to stand at attention for the anthem, in an edict carefully crafted to gain public approval.
Many rituals are a huge part of church services and quasi-church activities. My assistant editor at J-Ad Graphics absolutely hated covering the Order of Eastern Star installations because their many traditions and rituals dragged on and on.
Though many readers may think I am dissing these ceremonies and rituals, I am not. I am fascinated as to why they mean so much to us.
It’s a lot like author Chris Hedges in his terrific book, “War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning.” He examined why young men are willing to risk their lives in God-forsaken lands overseas, far away from their loved ones.
It’s an attempt to consider seriously just what makes us human beings tick.
