Question

We tend to think that magic occurs only in "primitive" non- Western societies, but many people in the United States actually do lots of things that anthropologists would identify as magic. What do people in your social environment do that might help them get a desired outcome that is not directly related to that end?

Answer 1

Religion is a set of beliefs in supernatural forces that functions to provide meaning, peace of mind, and a sense of control over life.

Magic is a system of beliefs that involves the manipulation of supernatural forces for the purpose of intervening in a wide range of human activities.

1. Religion deals with major issues of human existence
2. Religion uses prayer to appeal to supernatural powers for assistance
3. Religion tends to be a group activity
4. Religion is usually practiced at regular, pre-established times
5. Religion involves officially recognized functionaries like priests

Sir James Frazer:

• opposed magic to religion
• magic less ethical than religion
• magic more "primitive"

Frazer's Laws of Sympathetic Magic :

• Imitative Magic: imitating an action in a ritual will produce the action in the world
• Contagious Magic: things once in contact with a person can still have an effect on that person. It is often associated with witchcraft and sorcery. Witchcraft uses magic by casting spells, sometimes affiliated with spirits. Despite the stereotypes of European American witchcraft, most witchcraft is quite tame and does not involve the hurting of others. Contagious magic is still practiced today throughout the world. Many people still use puppets or make symbolic offerings (images, money, candles, and representations of babies or body part or a myriad of other public displays of devotion which are made with someone's personal possessions in order to draw positive energy into that person's life.

Magic and religion both use ritual to attempt to influence the natural and supernatural.