Ch 13 / Spirituality, Religion, And The Supernatural Flashcards
Worldview
Collective body of ideas people generally share in a culture concerning the ultimate shape and substance of their reality
Religion
Organized system of ideas about the supernatural/spiritual sphere, along with associated ceremonial practices by which people try to interpret/influence aspects normally out of their control
Spirituality
Concern with the sacred, as distinguished from material matters. Does not require distinctive format or traditional organization
Polytheism
Belief in more than 1 deity
Taboo
Culturally prescribed avoidances involving ritual prohibitions, which, if not observed, lead to supernatural punishment
Ritual
Culturally symbolic act or procedure designed to guide members of a community’s consciousness
Pantheon
A collective of Gods and Goddesses worshiped in a society
Animism
Spirit beings that take up a personalized appearance; specified
Animatism
Belief that nature is enlivened with an abstract, impersonal force
Shaman
(Sibera) Person who enters altered states of consciousness to contact and utilize a hidden reality in order to acquire knowledge, power, and to help others
Rites of Passage
Ritual that marks an important ceremonial moment when a person in society moves from one stage in life to the next such as birth, marriage, and death: Separation; Transition; Incorporation
Imitative Magic
Based on principle that like produces like; think images
Contagious Magic
Based on principle that things/persons once in contact can influence each other after contact has broken; think DNA
Witchcraft
Ability of individuals to psychically influence others either good or bad
Divination
Magical procedure or spiritual ritual to discern what is not knowable by ordinary means; fortune telling
