1. Spirituality, Religion, and the Supernatural Part III

2. Magic: Among the most fascinating of ritual practices is application of the belief that supernatural powers can be compelled to act in certain ways for good or evil purposes by recourse to certain specified formulas. Among the most fascinating of ritual practices is application of the belief that supernatural powers can be compelled to act in certain ways for good or evil purposes by recourse to certain specified formulas. Many societies have magical rituals to ensure good crops, the replenishment of game, the fertility of domestic animals, and the avoidance or healing of illness in humans. Many societies have magical rituals to ensure good crops, the replenishment of game, the fertility of domestic animals, and the avoidance or healing of illness in humans.

3. Magic: In the 19th century Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer made a useful distinction between two fundamental principles of magic: imitative magic and contagious magic. In the 19th century Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer made a useful distinction between two fundamental principles of magic: imitative magic and contagious magic. –Imitative magic: magic based on the principle that like produces like; sometimes called sympathetic magic –Contagious magic: magic based on the principle that things or persons once in contact can influence each other after the contact is broken.

4. Witchcraft: In Salem, Massachusetts, 200 innocent citizens suspected of being witches were arrested in 1692; of these thirteen women and six men were hanged, and one 80-year- old farmer was tortured to death. In Salem, Massachusetts, 200 innocent citizens suspected of being witches were arrested in 1692; of these thirteen women and six men were hanged, and one 80-year- old farmer was tortured to death. Witchcraft: an explanation of events based on the belief that certain individuals possess an innate psychic power capable of causing harm, including sickness and death. Witchcraft: an explanation of events based on the belief that certain individuals possess an innate psychic power capable of causing harm, including sickness and death.

5. Ibibio Witchcraft: As the Ibibio of Nigeria have become increasingly exposed to modern education and scientific training, their reliance on witchcraft as an explanation for misfortune has increased As the Ibibio of Nigeria have become increasingly exposed to modern education and scientific training, their reliance on witchcraft as an explanation for misfortune has increased traditional Ibibio attribute virtually all misfortune, illness, or death to the malevolent activity of witches. traditional Ibibio attribute virtually all misfortune, illness, or death to the malevolent activity of witches.

6. Ibibio Witchcraft: To identify a witch, an Ibibio looks for any person living in the region whose behavior is considered odd, out of the ordinary immoral, or unsocial. To identify a witch, an Ibibio looks for any person living in the region whose behavior is considered odd, out of the ordinary immoral, or unsocial. Witches are apt to look and act mean and to be socially disruptive people in the sense that their behavior exceeds the range of variance considered acceptable.

7. Ibibio Witchcraft: Sorcerers are the very embodiment of a society’s conception of evil – beings that flout the rules of sexual behavior and disregard every other standard of decency Sorcerers are the very embodiment of a society’s conception of evil – beings that flout the rules of sexual behavior and disregard every other standard of decency Typically, they are morose, arrogant, and unfriendly people who keep to themselves but otherwise cause little disturbance Typically, they are morose, arrogant, and unfriendly people who keep to themselves but otherwise cause little disturbance –Not surprisingly, people viewed as witches are usually treated with considerable caution, respect, and even fear.

8. Functions of Witchcraft: Witchcraft functions as an effective way for people to explain away personal misfortune without having to shoulder any of the blame themselves. Witchcraft functions as an effective way for people to explain away personal misfortune without having to shoulder any of the blame themselves. Witchcraft may also provide an outlet for feelings of hostility and frustration without disturbing the norms of the larger group, and hence functions as an agent of social control. Witchcraft may also provide an outlet for feelings of hostility and frustration without disturbing the norms of the larger group, and hence functions as an agent of social control.

9. Functions of Witchcraft: Sanctions a wide range of conduct by providing notions of right and wrong. Sanctions a wide range of conduct by providing notions of right and wrong. Sets standards for acceptable behavior and helps perpetuate an existing social order. Sets standards for acceptable behavior and helps perpetuate an existing social order. Lifts burden of decision making from individuals and places responsibility with god. Lifts burden of decision making from individuals and places responsibility with god. Plays a role in maintaining social solidarity. Plays a role in maintaining social solidarity.

10. Functions of Religion: –First, religion provides an orderly model of the universe and thereby reduces fears and anxieties. –Second, it sanctions a range of conduct by providing notions of right and wrong-and by setting guidelines for acceptable behavior, it helps perpetuate an existing social order.

11. Functions of Religion: –Third, religion serves to lift the burden of decision making from individuals and places responsibility with the gods. –Fourth, it plays a large role in maintaining social solidarity. –Finally, religion serves educational purposes as ritual ceremonies enhance the learning of tribal lore.

12. Revitalization Movements: Revitalization movement: a movement for radical cultural reform in response to widespread social disruption and collective feelings o great stress and despair. Revitalization movement: a movement for radical cultural reform in response to widespread social disruption and collective feelings o great stress and despair. Cargo cults: a spiritual movement in reaction to disruptive contact with Western capitalism, promising resurrection of deceased relatives, destruction or enslavement of while foreigners, and the magical arrival of utopian riches. Cargo cults: a spiritual movement in reaction to disruptive contact with Western capitalism, promising resurrection of deceased relatives, destruction or enslavement of while foreigners, and the magical arrival of utopian riches.

13. Sufism A Sufi sema (prayer dance) in Istanbul, Turkey. Sufism, a mystical Muslim movement that emerged in the late 10th century, borrowing ideas from Buddhism, Christianity, and Neoplatonism, emphasizes the surrender of individual ego and attachment to worldly things in order to be receptive to God’s grace. A Sufi sema (prayer dance) in Istanbul, Turkey. Sufism, a mystical Muslim movement that emerged in the late 10th century, borrowing ideas from Buddhism, Christianity, and Neoplatonism, emphasizes the surrender of individual ego and attachment to worldly things in order to be receptive to God’s grace.

14. Cargo Cult Spiritual movements in Melanesia in reaction to disruptive contact with Western capitalism promising resurrection of deceased relatives, destruction or enslavement of white foreigners, and the magical coming of utopian riches. Spiritual movements in Melanesia in reaction to disruptive contact with Western capitalism promising resurrection of deceased relatives, destruction or enslavement of white foreigners, and the magical coming of utopian riches.