Ruben+Burenstein

Coming of age in Wiccan, Judaism, and Catholicism

Coming of age is an important time for almost everyone. In religions there are separate ceremonies for coming of age. There is also coming of age in culture, and location. In America the coming of age is 18, when you are allowed to smoke and are out of high school. Coming of age in religions is different, and usually before you are out of high school. In religions you not only get more of a opinion in the community, but you have more responsibility religiously. Almost everyone goes through at least one of these coming of age in their lifetime, and possibly more than just two.

A quote from the bible about confirmation is "For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife." Hebrews 6:16 (KJV) - from http://www.topbibleverses.com/bible-verses-about-confirmation

A quote from the torah about bar/bat mitzvah's is "It is a Mitzvah (i.e., a good and obligatory deed) to make a meal on the day one's son becomes a bar Mitzvah, just like the day of his wedding.... The reason for the meal is because he has now become an adult Jew who is now required to observe all the Mitzvos (Commandments) of the Torah. This has the status of a Feast of Mitzvah. If, however, the meal is not held on the day he becomes 13 years, but is held on some day later, then the bar Mitzvah should lecture on Torah teachings, and then the meal will have the status of a Feast of Mitzvah". -- Mishnah Brurah §225:6 - from http://www.beingjewish.com/cycle/barmitzva.html

There is not a sacred text for every religion. Wiccan is a much more oral religion. There is no sacred text for Wiccan, the beliefs are passed down through stories, and telling the beliefs to others.

Judaism coming of age

Bar/bat mitzvah



At the age of 13 for boys, and 12 for girls, these members of the jewish religion become bat and bat mitzvah's. A boy becomes a bar mitzvah and a girl becomes a bat mitzvah. There is usually a ceremony performed on, or around this day. It requires a lot of preparation and focus. In this ceremony the boy of girl must read from a portion of the torah. They must also say prayers with their family. In my bar/bat mitzvahs there is usually a topic of interest discussed in speech format. The bar/bat mitzvah is also given a tallit. This is a cloth that is wrapped around the shoulders. The tallit represents the 613 commandments that god told us to remember. Because the bar/bat mitzvah means that you are of age, it is now your responsibility to remember and carry these 613 commandments.

Catholicism coming of age

Confirmation

Confirmation is the middle sacrament. Confirmation is in between baptism and first communion. The process of confirmation is supposed to bring you closer to jesus. It confirms your closeness to the church, and strengthens the bond. There is a difference in between confirmation in the east, and confirmation in the west. Confirmation in the east is performed along with the other sacraments. They are all performed around the time of birth. Confirmation in the west is performed at different times. baptism is performed soon after birth, and then that person is confirmed several years later

Wiccan coming of age

Wiccaning and Celebration of puberty

There are two coming of ages in the Wiccan religion. One is similar to a baptism, because it takes place close to birth. This coming of age is called a Wiccaning. During the Wiccaning the baby is shown to the community. The baby is introduced to god, and the community. It is then asked of the gods to accept, and protect them. The Wiccaning doesn't mean that the child will have to be wicca, they are just accepted in that religion, and can choose it if they want to. The Celebration is the coming of age that is around the same age as confirmation and a bar/bat mitzvah. The celebration of puberty usually tells the person of their responsibilities. It tells them of their responsibilities in the community, and sexually. It is emphasized that you still have a choice to do many things that you want, but these are things that you now know, and must take into account.

There are several times that people come to age in their life. In culture the first one is usually when you go into school. There is no celebration for this coming of age, because it is not one of the most recognized coming of ages. The second, and most important coming of age in American culture is when you turn 18. The celebration for this is high school graduation, which is a very big event. When you turn 18 is gives you much more responsibility in the world, you can be tried as an adult, can buy your own house, and are legallyan adult. Another, less celebrated coming of age in the community is when you are considered a senior citizen. Although many people do not look forward to being a senior citizen there are benefits, like discounts on many things. The religious comings of ages are almost like stepping stones in between the first two coming of ages in culture. In Catholicism the baptism is before you start school, and the confirmation is before you graduate high school.



The responsibilities in each of the types of comings of age is different, but not as much as you might think. During confirmation you are considered closer to god, and more in tuned with the church. When you turn 18 you are considered to be closer to important issues, and have a higher responsibility in the world. After becoming a bar or bat mitzvah you are expected to respect and represent the Jewish commandments, when you turn 18 you are expected to know and respect the law, or else you can be tried as an adult.

Bibliography

Mishnah Brurah §225:6

Hebrews 6:16 (King James Version)

Robinson, B.A. "Coming of age in many faiths & countries." (2004): n. pag. Web. 25 Oct 2010. .

Berman, Rivka. "Bar mitzvah and bat Mitzvah, An orthodox perspective.": n. pag. Web. 26 Oct 2010. .

Damorea, Lady. "Wiccan/Pagan Rites of Passage." n. pag. Web. 27 Oct 2010. .

Richert, Scott. "The Sacrament of Confirmation." (2010): n. pag. Web. 25 Oct 2010. .