RLG100Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Idolatry, Incorporeality
Document Summary
Classical theories of magic have this characteristic where magic is always described associated with religion and magic. The universal theories present problem for us- they may not actually be universal or completely objective. These theories try to provide standard for analysis which may represent worldview of theorists themselves. Both magic and religion are categorized in our worldview as supernatural. Our theorists valued religion as proper and whatever was improper fell onto the magic side. In addition because our model western worldview locates science in natural and seperates magic and religion in supernatural, magic looks a bit like science since it uses knowledge of natural world for certain purposes like medicine. We must try not to put our worldviews in other cultures our theorists agreed religion was found in public sphere where rituals were beneficial to the community. The proper relationship between human and divine was defined in terms of supplication.
