Belief Systems: How Do We Explain The Unexplainable Flashcards
(23 cards)
What specific functions to believe system serve?
-Cohesion & Support
- Education & Discipline
- Ecology
- Explanation
- Revitalization & Euphoria
Cohesion & Support
Functions of the supernaturalism apply to both individuals and groups
- people come together for ceremonies and rituals
Revitalization & Euphoria
- involves regular/repetitious rituals and practices that result in a renewal of believe system
- serves to motivate and lift the mood of the individual and also the entire group
Example: the Molimo ceremony of the Mbuti pgymies
Ecology
Involves any belief or ritual that contributes to the maintenance of the society of environment or resource management
Example: The Hindu and cattle
-taboo against killing cattle
Explanation
Beliefs serves both individual and group
- reasons for life
- reasons for death
Education and Discipline
Functions of supernaturalism are interwoven
Gods
Are ancestral in nature. They are the source of the human beings
Polyestic
Gods
Many gods or goddesses
Mono
Gods
One powerful God
Greek gods
Supernatural beings responsible for certain tasks
Demons
Most systems that have gods and or goddesses also have demons
What do demons try to steal?
The souls of people and force them to commit evil things
What explanation do demons result in?
Provides culturally appropriate explanation for peoples inappropriate behavior
Souls
Gods and or goddesses give humans their souls
Ghosts
In many societies, souls are believed to turn into ghosts
What’s the purpose behind funerals?
Could be to send off souls, now off to the next place as to not disturb the living
Tricksters
Usually do not intend real harm but are bothersome
Witches
Are supernatural and have great powers that can affect humans
– Real witches will not admit that they are witches
Mana
And in personal supernatural force that flows in and out of people and object
-precursor to formal religion
Magic
Not a supernatural force but refers to techniques used to manipulate supernatural forces
Imitative magic
A type of magic based on the notion that working magic on an image of an animal or person will cause the same effect on the actual animal or person
Contagious magic
Something that has contact with a person or animal contain some of the innocence of that animal or person
Belief systems and practices explain the_____?
Unexplainable
