Abstract This paper discusses and demonstrates the transitional phase in human development by discussing the history of the mythical legend of Dionysus, and the Bacchic ritual and its rich traditions. The paper then discusses modern manifestations of this ritual as the expression of the spiritual that modern people seek in ways that are not religiously motivated but still boast many of religion's facets.
Outline:
Introduction
Dionysus in the Ancient and Modern Expression
Bacchic Ritual Today
From the Paper "The whole expression of the initial rejection of the Rock-n-Roll culture, music and lifestyle, not to mention its messages of rejection of the broader conservative culture is an example of the manner in which youth demonstrates revolutionary control over subsequent generations. The initial desire of the broader more conservative culture to suppress the movement, and all its expressions was met by heated rejection of conservatism. Many who look back on the beginnings of the movement express that all their fears were realized, through the very public expression of conflict and rage that became synonymous with Rock-n-Roll music and all of its accompanying events, which clearly reached it peak of possibility both good and bad during the Woodstock era. (Altschuler, 2003, p. 3) Yet, it is also clear that the music and the mentality it brought with it changed the face of society, and all that the older more conservative generations could do about it was warn the culture of its potential threats, just as those who drove the Bacchic ritual into the attic in earlier times did."