Liturgies and lies

Roy A. Rappaport

pp. 75-104

in: Günter Dux, Thomas Luckmann (eds), Contributions to the sociology of knowledge / contributions to the sociology of religion, Wiesbaden, Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, 1976

Abstract

This essay is concerned with the lie in evolution and the evolution of the lie. Lie will lead to liturgy and to sanctity, and we shall be concerned as much with them as with lying. Ordinary lies and their relationship to sanctity will be considered first, and then we shall proceed to the rituals in which sanctity is grounded and out of which it may have emerged, attending largely to liturgical form and performance and touching only lightly on what their symbols may represent. Discussion of ritual and sanctity will make it possible to identify forms bearing a family resemblance to ordinary lies. I designate them vedic lies, lies of oppression, diabolic lies and idolatry.