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Magic Discussion Questions: Mar. 17
Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World
Discussion Questions
Mar. 17: Anthropological Perspectives on Demonology and Spirit Possession
Kate Bolin--kbolin@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Can the psychoanalyst and the exorcists be considered the same person?
- If psychology can "cure" "demons" in modern times, what ramifications
does the use of pharmacological psychology have on belief systems? What
does it mean when you can medicate away your demons?
- Pattison seems to want to blend the supernatural into psychology.
Isn't it more likely that psychology will attempt to de-bunk the
supernatural, explaining away any unusual phenomena?
Derek Pepiak:dpepiak@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What characteristics make a trance different from a case of
possession?
- Why do you think possession is viewed by some cultures as being
dangerous while other cultures see it as beneficial?
- June Nash writes that if a man makes a deal with the devil and
is discovered, the contract and the man's life will be destroyed.
Why do the Bolivians frown upon a personal contract with the devil when
they themselves are in effect making a group pact with him for safety in
the mines?
Bob Fraser: rfraser@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- 1. Lehman and Myers talk about the ignorance of the western world
when it comes to demons and the sort, but then states that "the great
questions concearning the human condition are asked by all peoples, and
despite the disparate levels of technology our sameness is demonstrated by
the universality of religion". What are the "universal" parts?
- 2. It seems as though, with respect to Tio in the Nash article, that
we as individuals have the power to control the evil spirits. Does the
devil have that much power, or do we GIVE him that much power due to our
fear, anxiety, etc?
- 3. Could anyone else sleep the night that they watched "The Exorcist"
for the first time? Does the western world's interpretation of "demon
possessed" tie into any medical practices or treatments as of those in the
non-western world and ancient times?
Zach Harrelson:zharrel@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Are all cases of demonic possession found among disenchanted or
repressed societies? Pattison presents a compelling argument for this
statement though I feel it may be too simple. Are there any notable
exceptions?
- Pattison's article seems to claim that psychotherapy is the most
appropriate healing technique for a Western society whose world view is
dominated by a transient devotion to scientific rationalism. The author,
then, is implying that Western civilization heals with science while
non-Western societies utilize other techniques. So a society can not have
both science and magic?
- In the case of the Bolivian tin miners, was there a specific political
or social reason why sanctioned worship of Tio diminished under a military
regime?
Nick Backer: nbacker@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Because I did a large research project two years ago on the use of
peyote amongst the Native American Church, I would like to know whether or
not any of you accept the claim that psychedelic drugs are a vital part to
their ritual and the religion.
- I would like to discuss I.M. Lewis' statement that possession
by a spirit/ demon reflects the culture in which it occurs -doesn't this
furhter the notion that religion simply molds to the people and their
society.
- What is the significance of the shamistic view that illnesses are
caused by objects "lodged" in one's body? Why aren't these beliefs found
in the west?
cwilson2@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
-
What is santeria?
- Is Tio the devil or a representation of the devil? How does this
conflict with the christian pratices of the miners?
- What is an exorcism? How does it work? Is it real? How is it explained?
Jason Lapkin dweinbe@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- How can one prove the existence of supernatural forces? Is it
possible? Why would one try?
- Does the belief in supernatural powers (i.e. demons) coincide with
religious belief? Can they exist seperately?
- Why is divination such an important aspect of magic?
Jay Munsch:wmunsch@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- I am very interested in understanding how a group of catholics can
pray to a demon spirit and how they reconcile the extreme contradiction?
- In the article by Pattison, how could he assume the authority when he
recommended that the girl be exorcised? This bothers me very much. These
people once had a proud an honored spiritual identity and his
recommendation seems based on a very etic point of view, disregarding
that tradition completely..
- What is it about our culture that looks at divination with such
distrust and scorn? I personally am a skeptic, but does the answer
lie in our recent trust in science or simply in a lack of faith?
Tobin Cataldo: tcatald@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What is the differences between the central possession cults
and the peripheral possession cults?
- What is the factors surrounding the eruption of demonology?
- Was trephining a common practice of exorcism?
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