12 Jul 2022

100

Incorporation of Magic and Witchcraft into the Belief System of a Group

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Academic level: College

Paper type: Research Paper

Words: 1053

Pages: 4

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Introduction 

Magic and witchcraft are being incorporated into the belief system of many groups and societies across the globe in different ways. Magic, in an anthropological sense, is the use of methods known as charms that are believed to have supernatural powers over normal or natural forces. It is an act that is mainly performed or practiced by illusionists. On the other hand, witchcraft is the belief in the performance of harms by specific persons by using mystical means. People who perform mysterious actions are believed to be possessed by supernatural powers that enable them to succeed in their undertakings ( Faulkner et al., 2017) . Despite modernization, which has gradually changed the beliefs, behaviors, and societal practices of many people, some societies across the globe still incorporate magic and witchcraft into their belief systems in different ways. The primary goal of this paper is to discuss how different groups incorporate magic and witchcraft in their belief systems. 

Incorporation of Magic and Witchcraft into the Belief System of a Group 

Magic has been included in the belief system of some groups across the globe as a way of strengthening religious beliefs. In some notable instances, magic practices are used frequently by members of some social and religious groups to make their believers have strong faith in their belief systems. For example, Benedicaria is a religious group known for religious-magic uses Catholicism as a backbone to make members of this group believe in such practices ( Faulkner et al., 2017) . Benedicaria is a traditional practice which means "Way of Blessing." Leaders of this group include the use of supernatural powers to command blessings upon members to make them believe that their blessings come from their gods. The incorporation of magic is encouraged among members of this group to protect them from evils and eye, which other people might plan against them. The inclusion of magic in religion for this group is essential because it helps to encourage members of this group to live peace, love, and harmony. Incorporation of magic into the belief system of this group makes members of this group believe in this source of guidance ( Faulkner et al., 2017)

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Apart from using magic and witchcraft as a way of blessing as believed by some societies, the charm is included in the belief system of some social groups to explain unexpected occurrences, disease outbreaks, and accidents to help in providing possible solutions for such incidents ( Faulkner et al., 2017) . When using magic as a helper, leaders of such groups consider the best methods that seem to be a solution to the problem. Sometimes, incidences like prolong illness or outbreaks are deemed to be caused by nature. As such, members of some communities consult magicians and witchdoctors to help them know the causes of problems that come from unclear circumstances ( Robert, 2019) . In cases, these particular groups come up with situations that can solve the problem, their magic and witchcraft are treated as necessary for social practices that can be used to solve common problems. As a result, the constant use of magic and witchcraft by members of a society finally makes such practices as part of the social practices, thus become part of the belief system of that group. For example, in Japan, Reiki was a mysterious way of healing people who were suffering diseases that started unknowingly and did not have any known causes. Since this practice was working when sick people are taken to magicians or witchdoctors for help, it was included the Japanese belief system as an accepted way that can be used to face and handle prolong illness that arises from unclear circumstances ( Robert, 2019)

Furthermore, magic and witchcraft are incorporated into the belief system of societies as ways of promoting morality and uprightness among members of society. In some communities, witchcraft and magic are used to warn members of a community against engaging immoral activities such as robbery or unauthorized use of other people's property. For example, when unethical activities are rampant among members of a community, some use witchcraft and magic to identify those who got involved in such practices ( Hutton, 2019) . When these practices are used frequently and be able to provide solutions to problems such as robbery, their use is encouraged to be used by members of the society to help solve a robbery case. As such, frequent use of witchcraft and magic to control or minimize robbery activities in a community, such practices are included in the belief system of group and believed to be a source of solutions to robbery cases, which are common among members of the society. For example, witchcraft and magic practices have been set as an essential societal belief of some African countries such as Nigeria and Tanzania are some countries where witchcraft and magic are included belief systems as a way of encouraging moral and ethical practices ( Hutton, 2019) . As a result of using magic and witchcraft as a belief practice amount different communities in these countries, the rate of robbery and criminal activities are slow because many people fear to be exposed by witchcraft who are mandated to lead their operation in case the act of theft is evidenced. 

Additionally, witchcraft and magic are included in the belief systems of some societies as a way of explaining the origin of specific circumstances or giving particular direction to which members of a community should follow to ensure the success of their activities. In most cases, witchcraft and magic are considered as part of the belief systems of a group in where can easily be used to solve specific problems or give guideline where known beliefs of the group have failed to provide appropriate solutions big problems troubling members of the public ( Hutton, 2019) . For example, witchcraft at a time can be considered as part belief systems and used to scare people and prevent them from engaging in some unrecognized activities. In such cases, magic can be used to scare people while witchcraft to manipulate their decision-making process. 

In summary, magic and witchcraft practices are confusing activities that involve the involvement of supernatural powers to perform specific actions that cannot be done by rational human beings. Magic and witchcraft practices have, for long, been incorporated in belief systems of certain groups in various ways. Witchcraft and magic have been included in the belief system as a way of blessing, as believed by some societies. Such practices are incorporated into the belief system of some social groups to explain as to why some unexpected activities happen to members of the society. As well, magic and witchcraft are incorporated into the belief system of communities as ways of promoting morality and uprightness among members of society. 

References 

Faulkner, A., McNamee, M., Coveney, C., & Gabe, J. (2017). Where biomedicalisation and magic meet: Therapeutic innovations of elite sports injury in British professional football and cycling.  Social Science & Medicine 178 , 136-143. 

Hutton, R. (2019).  The triumph of the moon: A history of modern pagan witchcraft . Oxford University Press. 

Robert, C. M. (2019). förgörning to trolldom: A History of Danish Witchcraft and Magic. 

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StudyBounty. (2023, September 16). Incorporation of Magic and Witchcraft into the Belief System of a Group.
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