ABSTRACT
A text becomes "scripture" in living, subjective relationship to persons and to historical tradition. A text is only "scripture" insofar as a group of persons perceives it to be sacred or holy, powerful and meaningful, possessed of an exalted authority and power, and in some fashion transcendent of, and hence distinct from, other speech and writing. Recitation or reading aloud of scripture is a common feature of piety, whether in Islamic, Sikh, Jewish, or other traditions. Many scriptures have primary or secondary schemes of division according to the needs of recitation or reading aloud in the community. Whether the written or the oral text of a scriptural book predominates, the most visible religious role of a scripture is in public worship. Closely tied to public ritual, and equally or more important to religious life, is the role of scripture in personal devotion and in mystical, ascetic, and other traditions of spiritual discipline and realization.
