Final answer:
Rituals that seek to influence or control nature for human well-being are called rites of affliction. These non-calendrical and unplanned practices encompass a range of activities, such as witchcraft and exorcism, tailored to specific cultural contexts and needs. Historical agricultural practices greatly impacted the development of these complex religious rituals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rituals that attempt to influence or control nature, especially in activities that affect human activities and well-being, are known as rites of affliction. These are often non-calendrical and unplanned rituals that seek a remedy or compensation for afflictions such as illness or environmental crises. Given the wide range of practices, some communities may engage in practices like witchcraft, sorcery, exorcism, or divination, depending on their cultural context and the nature of the affliction.
Agricultural rituals had a significant impact on religious practices historically, with the Neolithic Revolution introducing a focus on agricultural fertility. The resulting religious practices often included the worship of deities who were believed to intervene in promoting fertility and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Furthermore, as societies developed, certain individuals became religious elites, capitalizing on their ability to communicate with the supernatural and perform elaborate rituals.
Rites of affliction are closely related to our reciprocal relationship with nature, where not only do the natural laws affect us, but human activities also dramatically shape the environment. This complex interplay has historically influenced religious practices, as seen with farming impacting ecosystems and constructing elaborate monuments for religious purposes.