Distinguishing Between Magic and Religion Worship Magic and

Distinguishing Between Magic and Religion / Worship

Magic and Religion �Most cultures of the world have religious beliefs that supernatural powers can be compelled, or at least influenced, to act in certain ways for good or evil purposes by using ritual formulas �These formulas are, in a sense, magic

Magic vs Religion/Worship -- Magical thinking is an action which hopes to get something back in return -- Worship is an action with no pay back -- Magic tries to control or manipulate mystery and the sacred -- Worship flows from a trusting relationship with mystery (GOD) --Magic is compelling the supernatural to act performing certain magical acts in a particular way: Crops might be improved Game herds replenished Illness cured or avoided People may be more fertile -- Worship accepts that which is sacred and mysterious --It cannot be compelled or forced --Magical practices tend to be fearful and compulsive --Worship rituals are willingly and freely entered into

Sympathetic/Imitative Magic �Based on the principle that “like produces like” �For instance, whatever happens to an image of someone will also happen to them �This is the basis for use of Voodoo dolls in the folk tradition of Haiti �Prehistoric cave paintings �May be referred to as Black Magic if it is used to do evil

Sympathetic/Imitative Magic

Voodoo Altar

Contagious Magic �Based on the principle that things or persons once in contact can afterward influence each other �In other words, it is believed that there is a permanent relationship between an individual and any part of his or her body �As a consequence, believers must take special precautions with their hair, fingernails, teeth, clothes, and feces.

Contagious Magic �If anyone obtains these objects, magic could be performed on them which would cause the person they came from to be affected �For instance, someone could use your fingernail clippings in a magical ritual that would cause you to love them or to fall ill and die. �This may also include the consumption of the body/body parts

Contagious Magic

Witchcraft � A pagan religion with a long history that stretches back to the beginning of human time � Any practice of magic, especially Black Magic and the use of spells and the invocation of spirits � Witches were originally thought to be healers who nurtured as well as destroyed � Used to explain the unexplainable � A belief system that uses magic as the most logical explanation for illness, accidents, and other unexpected occurrences, there is no room for natural causes or chance � At one point, seen as part of a vast conspiracy of individuals in a league with the devil undermining Christianity, eventually leading to witch hunts

Sacrifices �It was believed that both spirits and people needed the power that was present in life and blood �The higher the cost of the sacrifice, the greater the yields of return �Ex. Abraham being ready to sacrifice Isaac which symbolized having faith and trust in God

Types of Practitioners � Shaman: mediator of souls between the physical and non physical world. A specialist who is involved in healing (usually has high status in society) Enters into a trance, journeys to other worlds in order to get help from guardians or spirits � Sorcerers and witches: invoke supernatural forces to cause harm or heal Urarina Shaman, Amazonian rainforest, 2006

Divination �A magical procedure of engaging in dialogue with the sacred/divine by which the cause of a particular event or the future is determined. �Shamans usually go into a trance to find out the answers from their spirit helpers �The ancient Romans divined the outcome of battles or business deals by autopsying chickens and examining the condition of their livers

Divination �Still exists in many parts of the world today �Examining tea leaves in the bottom of a cup, lines in a hand, tarot cards, astrology, etc. �Source must be understood

Fetishes �An inanimate object worshipped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit �EX. Holy Water from Lourdes, France Over 50 official miracles are linked with the water in the spring

Magic In Modern Society �Magic has continued into modern society as sacred mysteries of life continue to perplex human beings �The right foot of St. Peters statue in Rome, for example, is worn thin by people kissing and touching it for good luck

�People rub the Buddha’s belly for good luck �In India, if a horoscope dictates that it is unsafe to leave home, students are able to miss school �Hindu’s baby dropping for good luck – http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=rnd. VUQZh. A 3 Q