Download Distinguishing Between Magic and Worship

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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
-- 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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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=rndVUQZhA3Q