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Far from Being Idolatrous: Ancestor Veneration

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Far from Being Idolatrous: Ancestor Veneration Dr Alexander Jebadu SVD FAR FROM BEING IDOLATROUS: ANCESTOR VENERATION 2010 ______________________________________________ Steyler Verlaag, Nettetal Bibliografische Information Der Deutchen Bibliotek Die Deutche Bibliotek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutchen Nationalbibliografie; detailierte bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über http://dnb.ddb.de abrufbar. ©Steyler Verlaag Bahnhofstraβe 9 41334 Nettetal Germany [email protected] ISSN 0562-2816 ISBN 978-3-8050-0564-7 DPT: Martina Ludwig, Steyler Missionswissenschaftliches Instutut Druck: Verlaag Franz Schmitt, Siegburg TABLE OF CONTETS AKNOWLEDGEMENTS ……………………………………………………………...iii I. INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………...01 1.1. Problem Mapping of This Study …..…………….……………………………..01 1.2. Goal and Scope of This Study …………..….…………………………………..01 1.3. Organization of This Study and Its Methodology……………………….…….03 1.4. The Limitations of This Study ……………………………………………….…04 II. THE RELEVANCE OF THEOLOGY OF ANCESTRAL VENERATION……. FOR THE ASIAN-AFRICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH …………………..….…...06 2.1. Ancestral Veneration Presupposes Faith in Life after Death ……….………..06 2.1.1. Ancestral Veneration in the Work of Herbert Spencer ……….….…..07 2.1.2. Human Soul in the Frame of Edward Burnet Tylor’s Animism ……..10 2.1.2.1. Definition of Religion ………………………………………….….…...11 2.1.2.2. Animism …………………………………………………….………......11 2.1.2.3. The Origin of Belief in the Human Soul …….………………….….…13 2.1.2.3.1. Human Biological Phenomena …….…………………..…..13 2.1.2.3.2. The Unity of Life and Phantom …….….…………………..14 2.1.2.4. Samples of Popular Beliefs in Human Soul ….….………….…….….14 2.1.2.4.1. The Concept of Soul as Shadow ……..…………….….…...14 2.1.2.4.2. The Concept of Soul as the Cause of Life ………….....…...15 2.1.2.4.3. The Concept of Soul as Breath …….…..….………….……16 2.1.2.4.4. The Difficulty in Understanding the Mystery of Soul …....16 2.1.2.5. Animism Treated in Psychology ……..…..…………..……………….17 2.1.2.6. Tylor’s Animism and Ancestral Veneration …...….………………...18 2.1.3. Belief in Two Worlds Represented by Night and Day …...…………..19 2.1.4. Belief in Soul and Afterlife in Several Traditional Societies……...21 2.1.4.1. Prayer of the Living Dead in Egyptian Tradition …..…......21 2.1.4.2. Testimonies of Some Traditional Societies Regarding the Soul of the Living Dead ……….……………. ………………….22 2.1.4.3. Customs Preventing the Soul of the Dead from Returning...23 2.1.4.4. The Customs of Giving Offerings to the Living Dead..……..25 2.1.4.5. Customs of Communicating with the Living Dead .……......26 2.1.4.6. Customs of Spiritual Medium …………………….….……..27 2.1.4.6.1 Female Spiritual Medium …………….….……….28 2.1.4.6.2. Male Spiritual Medium .…………………............28 2.1.4.6.3. Spiritual Medium as Protector …….………....….29 2.2. Ancestral Veneration Presupposes Belief in the Supreme Being ……….…...30 2.3. The Maltreatment Toward Ancestral Veneration in the Records …....….…..34 2.3.1. The Chinese Rite Controversy ………………………………………….34 2.3.2. Primal Religions Through The Perspective of Christianity ...……….. 36 2.3.3. The Struggles of Protestant Churches ………………………………… 37 2.4. New Theological Efforts to Properly Understand the Ancestral Veneration 40 2.4.1. Biblical Approach and Critic to this Approach…..…………………….42 2.4.2. Christological Approach and Critic to this Approach …………..…...43 2.4.3. Ecclesiological Approach …….…….……………………………………43 III. ANCESTRAL VENERATION AS A POPULAR RELIGIOUS PIETY AND ITS NATURE .…...………………….……………………………………………..44 3.1. Ancestral Venerations As a Popular Religious Piety………..........................46 3.1.1. Its General Characteristics ..……………………..…………………….46 3.1.2. Its Widespread Practices………………………..………………... ......49 3.1.2.1. In Africa ……..……………………………………………........50 3.1.2.2. In Asia………….……………………………………………….51 3.1.2.3. Ancestral Veneration in the World of Antiquity..…….. ……54 3.1.2.3.1. Among Ancient Indo-Europeans ……..….……….55 3.1.2.3.1.1. Names for Spirits ………………………55 3.1.2.3.1.2. Powers of the Dead ……….……………56 3.1.2.3.1.3. Veneration of the Dead ……………….59 3.1.2.3.2. In Ancient Egypt ……………………….…………..62 3.1.2.3.2.1. Concept of Soul ……………...................62 3.1.2.3.2.2. Powers of the Dead …………….………63 3.1.2.3.2.3. Veneration of the Dead ………………...64 3.1.2.3.3. In Ancient Semites .…………………………..............65 3.1.2.3.3.1. Concept of Soul ……………………….…66 3.1.2.3.3.2. Powers of the Dead ……………………...66 3.1.2.3.3.3. Veneration to the Dead …………………67 3.1.2.3.4. In Early Christianity ……………….………………..68 3.2. The Common Role Of Ancestors …………………..…………………………..69 3.3. The Nature Of Ancestral Veneration …………………….……….……………72 3.3.1. It Is Non-Idolatrous ……………………………………...........................72 3.3.1.1. Etymology of Idolatry …………………….…………………….73 3.3.1.2. Historical Semantic of Idolatry ………………………………..74 3.3.1.3. Idolatry in the Hebrew Scriptures ……………………………..75 3.3.1.4. Idolatry in Christianity …………………………………………77 3.3.1.4.1. The Biblical Heritage ………………………………..77 3.3.1.4.2. The Greek Apologist and Fathers …………………..77 3.3.1.4.3. The Latin Apologists ….……………………………78 3.3.1.4.4. Saint Augustine ………………………………………79 3.3.1.5. Idolatry in the View of the Catechism of the Catholic Church 80 3.3.1.6. Conclusion ……………………………………………………….80 3.3.2. Is it Superstitious?..……….…………………………………………… …82 3.3.2.1. Its Etymology and Classical Usage …………………………......83 3.3.2.2. Early Christianity ………………………………………….. …..84 3.3.2.3. Medieval Christianity …………………….…………….............84 3.3.2.4. Catholicism and Protestant Reformation ….……………. ……85 3.3.2.5. Enlightenment and Post-Enlightenment Attitudes ……………86 3.3.2.6. Conclusion ………………………………………………... ……..86 3.3.3. Is It Necromantic? ………………………………….……………….…. ..87 3.3.3.1. Definition ……………………….…………………………….…..87 3.3.3.2. Its Technique ……………………………………….……………87 3.3.3.3. Necromancy in Antiquity …….…………………………………88 3.3.3.4. Conclusion …………………………………………..……………89 3.3.4. It Is Devotional Character ……………………………………………….89 IV. DEVOTION TO THE SAINTS IN CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS TRADITION..91 4.1. Devotion as a Popular Religious Tradition …………………………………...91 4.1.1. Definition ..……………………………………………………….……….91 4.1.2. Devotion in Many Religions …………………………………………….91 4.1.2.1. Objects of Devotion….…………………………………………..92 4.1.2.1.1. Deities and Saints ……………………………………92 4.1.2.1.2. Relics …………………………………………………92 4.1.2.1.3. Sacred Places ………………………………………...92 4.1.2.1.4. Ritual Objects ...……………………………………..93 4.1.2.2. Types or Expressions of Devotion… …………………………93 4.1.2.2.1. Meditative ……………………………………………93 4.1.2.2.2. Emotional Frenzy and Passion ……………….…….93 4.1.2.2.3. Formal and Informal Setting ……………………….94 4.1.2.3. Characteristics of Devotion……………………….…………...94 4.1.2.4. Religious Devotion in Its Practices……………………………96 4.1.2.4.1. Prayer ……………………………………..…………96 4.1.2.4.2. Worship ……………………………..……………… 97 4.1.2.4.3. Pilgrimage …………………………..………………97 4.1.2.4.4. Meditation ………………………….…....…………..98 4.1.2.4.5. Asceticism and Monasticism …………..…..……….98 4.1.2.4.6. Mysticism ………………………………….………...99 4.1.2.4.7. Social Action and Charity ………….……………….99 4.2. Devotion in The Catholic Religious Tradition…………………….…………100 4.2.1. Distinction Between Devotion and Liturgical Worship…...…………100 4.2.2. The Church and the Care for Devotions ……………………………...101 4.2.3. Qualities of True Devotion…..….………………………………………102 4.2.4. Three Ranks of Devotion ……………………………………….……...103 4.2.4.1. Latria: Devotion to God ……….… ……….……..……………105 4.2.4.2. Dulia: Devotion to the Saints and Angels .…….……………...106 4.2.4.3. Hyperdulia: Devotion to Mary the Mother of God …..…......112 4.2.5. Characteristics of Devotion to the Saints……………………………...116 4.2.5.1. Formal Devotion ……………………………………………..116 4.2.5.2. Informal Devotion ……………………………………………117 4.2.5.3. Formal and Informal Devotion in Comparison …..……….118 4.2.6. Exterior Expressions of Devotion to the Saints …………..………..120 4.2.6.1. Prayer ……………………………………………………. .. 120 4.2.6.2. Sacred Images and Relics of the Saints …………………….122 4.2.6.3. Pilgrimage ……………………………………………….…..126 4.2.7. The Core of Devotion to the Saints ………………………………….129 4.2.7.1. Love …………………………………………………………..129 4.2.7.2. Imitation ………………………………………………………130 4.2.7.3. Mediation ……………………………………………………..131 4.2.8. Requirements for a Sound and Right Devotion to the Saints ……...131 4.2.8.1. Trinitarian ……………….……………..…………………...132 4.2.8.2. Ecclesiological and social ……………………………………133 4.2.8.3. Liturgical ……………………………………………………...134 V. ANCESTRAL VENERATION ………………………………………………….. IN CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS DEVOTIONAL PRACTICES……..………...…135 5.1. The Communion of Saints Should Include Ancestors ……………………...135 5.2. Whom Should Be Included as Ancestors ……….…………………………...138 5.2.1. All The Dead Who Are in Christ ……..……………………………….138 5.2.2. Biological Living Dead and family friends ………..…………………139 5.2.3. Founders of other philosophical and religious societies ………….…140 5.3. Elements of Ancestral Veneration Need to Be Given Some Lights ……... 145 5.3.1. The Abodes of the Ancestors ………….………………………….…. 145 5.3.2. Offering Sacrifice of Food ……………………………….………….. .146 5.3.3. The Powers of Ancestors …………………………………....…………149 5.3.4. Death As Rebirth Into Eternal Life Vis-à-vis Reincarnation …..……150 5.3.5. Christian Ancestral Devotion Vis-à-vis Syncretism ………………….. .52 5.4. Name, Place and Characteristics of Christian Ancestral Devotion …..…...157 5.4.1. Formal Christian Ancestral Devotion …………….………..………….157 5.4.2. Informal Christian Ancestral Devotion ……………...………….……...158 5.4.3. Formal and Informal Devotion in Comparison ……….......…………...161 5.5. Exterior Forms of Christians Ancestral Devotion .......………………………162 5.5.1. Prayer with and
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