Some Functions of Religious Ritual in a Catastrophe

Analysis of 40 interviews conducted within three weeks of President Kennedy's assassination was made for the purpose of identifying the uses and functions of religious ritual after the news of the event. Ritual was found to solve the major problem of reactivating relationships through the reestablishment of communication with God and with others in society. Various bases for these relationships are identified, as is the nature and resolution of the Male Syndrome of reactions. Elements of communication necessary for effectiveness are identified.