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The Role of Religion in History – Lecture 1: Primitive Religion

Policy@McCombs

NOTE

Understanding the Role of Supernatural Powers in Religion

Religion is based on the belief that events in the world are influenced by supernatural powers which can satisfy human needs. These supernatural powers are known through means other than reason or sense experience. The core belief in all religions is the belief in a higher supernatural power that controls daily events, with practices aimed at influencing this power. Supernatural powers are viewed in two distinct ways - as an impersonal energy (like a supernatural electricity) that can be manipulated, and as a power called manna in anthropology. Manipulating this power through concentrated ways is termed as magic, which involves compelling supernatural powers to act according to one's will.

00:00
Speaker 1
Semi-calling. The supernatural powers in question are called supernatural. In virtue of the fact that they can be known related to or influenced. Primarily, by means other than those of reason or sense experience. A religion is a system of beliefs and practices, resting on the assumption that events within the world are subject to some supernatural power or powers, such that human needs, either physical or psychological, can be satisfied by men's entering into relations with such powers. The supernatural powers in question are called supernatural. In virtue of the fact that they can be known related to or influenced primarily by means other than those of reason and sense
Speaker 2
experience.
Speaker 1
Anyone want me to repeat anything? The part after the semicolon. Okay. Semicolon. The supernatural powers in question are called supernatural. In virtue of the fact that they can be known related to or influenced primarily by means other than those of reason and sense experience.
Speaker 2
The fundamental
Speaker 1
belief characteristic of all religions is thus belief in a higher supernatural power which can control everyday events. And the fundamental practice characteristic of all religions is the attempt to influence this power. This power, however, is conceived of in two basic ways which differ sharply from one another. The power is conceived of in two basic ways which differ sharply from one another. One way sees the power as an impersonal energy, a kind of supernatural electricity, which can be manipulated and controlled. Borrowing a term from the Melanesians, anthropologists call this supposed power manna, manna, m-a-n-a. Obviously, the manipulation of manna is what we have always called magic, which is the art of compelling a supernatural power to do one's will. The root concept of magic is the belief in a supernatural energy which can be concentrated or dispersed and which is subject to invariable laws.

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