Religion vs magic in dealing with problems Essay -- essays research pa

All societies and benignant beings have a set of beliefs for ordering the world. devotion and put-on are belief systems used by many societies. This evidence will discuss the function and moral dimensions of twain magic and religion, and management on the need to explore human beliefs and behaviours in the context of the hostel in which they occur. I will also discuss the office in which magic and religion use various processes to provide psychological reassurance to individuals, lead story to the conclusion that both belief systems incorporate equally rational ways of dealing with problems. Religion can be seen as an overarching tone downling hug in the universe that sustains the moral and social order of the people, serving to corroborate peoples lives. The main purposes of religion function to set a moral code and spirit of community and security, to explain misfortunes in spirit and most importantly, to help people through crisis and problems, providing hope and f aith. There is whatsoever evidence of hostility in Western belief systems toward magic, with magic help to be understood as an erroneous and unreliable belief draw system. Some anthropologists believe it is necessary to distinguish between religion and magic, comprehend religion as a rational belief system and magic as irrational. Many evolutionist anthropologists maintain the belief that magic and religion fit to different stages of social evolution, holding that the deeper minds may be conceived to have make the great transition from magic to religion (Frazer, J 1890). This phrase is misdirect because it suggests that some societies are less complex, rational or primitive than opposite advanced societies, enhancing the common misconception that religion is a more rational way of dealing with problems than magic is. Religion is generally associated with developed cultures and magic is associated with undeveloped, supposed primitive cultures, hence encouraging the idea that magic belongs to superstitious, irrational individuals with especial(a) intellectual abilities. Magic, through various forms including activities and rituals, provides a means to influence the supernatural. It is a way of gaining information about the unknown, and also gives a sense of control over events and happenings of life. Magic, like religion, provides meaning and purpose, reducing uncertainty, effectively counteracting the forces of fe... ... breadth of experience in terms of something fundamental. There is a basic human unwillingness to think of the universe as randomFor events that have moral dimensions, as unexpected misfortunes do, we often seek moral causes (Bowen, J. 198888). Both magic and religion, with differing methods, take to seek patterns, causes and reasons for things. There is little point distinguishing between magic and religion. They both provide a way of dealing with problems, are rational indoors the context of society they exist in, and in some cas es, coexist in society. Anthropologists should explore what forms of religion and magic mean to people, how they help to make sense of the world and solve problems, and how they give meaning and direction to different forms of human existence (Eriksen 1995211).ReferencesBowen, J. R. 1998. Explaining misfortune witchcraft and sorcery. Chapter 5 of J.R. Bowen Religions in Practice An advancement to the Anthropology of Religion. Allyn and Bacon.Eriksen, T. H 2001. Small Places, Large Issues An Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology. capital of the United Kingdom Pluto Press.Evans-Pritchard, E. E. 1965. Theories of Primitive Religion. Oxford Clarendon Press.