4th Edition

The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft

By Rebecca L. Stein, Philip L. Stein Copyright 2017
    332 Pages
    by Routledge

    332 Pages
    by Routledge

    This concise and accessible textbook introduces students to the anthropological study of religion. Stein and Stein examine religious expression from a cross-cultural perspective and expose students to the varying complexity of world religions. The chapters incorporate key theoretical concepts and a rich range of ethnographic material.

    The fourth edition of The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft offers:
    • increased coverage of new religious movements, fundamentalism, and religion and conflict/violence;
    • fresh case study material with examples drawn from around the globe;
    • further resources via a comprehensive companion website.

    This is an essential guide for students encountering anthropology of religion for the first time.

    Preface

    1. The Anthropological Study of Religion
    The Anthropological Perspective
    The Holistic Approach
    The Study of Human Societies
    The Fore of New Guinea: An Ethnographic Example
    Two Ways of Viewing Culture
    Cultural Relativism
    The Concept of Culture
    The Study of Religion
    Attempts at Defining Religion
    The Domain of Religion
    Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Religion
    Conclusion
    Suggested Readings and Websites
    Study Questions

    2. Mythology 
    The Nature of Myths
    Worldview
    Stories of the Supernatural
    The Nature of Oral Texts
    Understanding Myths
    Approaches to Analysis of Myths
    Common Themes in Myths
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions

    3. Religions Symbols
    What Is a Symbol?
    Religious Symbols
    Sacred Art
    The Sarcophagus of Lord Pakal
    The Meaning of Color
    Sacred Time and Sacred Space
    The Meaning of Time
    Sacred Time and Space in Australia
    The Symbolism of Music and Dance
    The Symbolism of Music
    The Symbolism of Dance
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions

    4. Ritual
    The Basics of Ritual Performance
    Prescriptive and Situational Rituals
    Periodic and Occasional Rituals
    A Classification of Rituals
    A Survey of Rituals
    Technological Rituals
    Social Rites of Intensification
    Therapy Rituals and Healing
    Revitalization Rituals
    Rites of Passage
    Alterations of the Human Body
    Pilgrimages
    The Huichol Pilgrimage
    Religious Obligations
    Tabu
    Jewish Food Laws
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions

    5. Altered States of Consciousness
    The Nature of Altered States of Consciousness
    Entering an Altered State of Consciousness
    The Biological Basis of Altered States of Consciousness
    Ethnographic Examples of Altered States of Consciousness
    San Healing Rituals
    The Sun Dance of the Cheyenne
    The Holiness Churches
    Drug-Induced Altered States of Consciousness
    Hallucinogenic Stuff among the Yanomamö
    The Use of Tobacco in South America
    The Use of Peyote in the Native American Church
    The Use of Marijuana among the Rastafarians
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions


    6. Religious Specialists
    Shamans
    Defining Shamanism
    Siberian Shamanism
    Korean Shamanism
    Pentecostal Healers as Shamans
    Neoshamanism
    Priests
    Zuni Priests
    Okinawan Priestesses
    Eastern Orthodox Priests
    Other Specialists
    Healers and Diviners
    Prophets
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions


    7. Magic and Divination
    The Nature of Magic
    Magic and Religion
    Rules of Magic
    Magic in Society
    Magic in the Trobriand Islands
    Magic among the Azande
    Sorcery among the Fore
    Wiccan Magic
    Divination
    Forms of Divination
    A Survey of Divination Techniques
    Astrology
    Fore Divination
    Oracles of the Azande
    Divination in Ancient Greece: The Oracle at Delphi
    Magical Behavior and the Human Mind
    Magical Thinking
    Why Magic Works
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions

    8. Souls, Ghosts, and Death 
    Souls and Ancestors
    Variation in the Concept of the Soul
    Souls, Death, and the Afterlife
    Examples of Concepts of the Soul
    Ancestors
    Bodies and Souls
    Ghosts
    The Living Dead: Vampires and Zombies
    Death Rituals
    Funeral Rituals
    Disposal of the Body
    U.S. Death Rituals in the Nineteenth Century
    U.S. Funeral Rituals Today
    Days of Death
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions


    9. Gods and Spirits 
    Spirits
    The Dani View of the Supernatural
    Guardian Spirits and the Native American Vision Quest
    Jinn
    Christian Angels and Demons
    Gods
    Types of Gods 
    Gods and Society
    The Gods of the Yoruba
    The Gods of the Ifugao
    Goddesses
    Monotheism: Conceptions of God in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
    Atheism
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions

    10.Witchcraft
    The Concept of Witchcraft in Small-Scale Societies 
    Witchcraft among the Azande
    Witchcraft among the Navaho
    Witchcraft Reflects Human Culture
    Sorcery, Witchcraft, and AIDS
    Euro-American Witchcraft Beliefs
    The Connection with Pagan Religions
    The Witchcraze in Europe
    The Witchcraze in England and the United States
    Modern-Day Witch Hunts
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions


    11. The Search for new Meaning
    Adaptation and Change
    Mechanisms of Culture Change
    Haitian Vodou
    Santeria
    Revitalization Movements
    The Origins of Revitalization Movements
    Types of Revitalization Movements
    Cargo Cults
    The Ghost Dance of 1890
    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormonism)
    Neo-Paganism and Revival
    The Wiccan Movement
    High Demand Religions
    The “Cult” Question
    Characteristics of High Demand Religions
    Examples of High Demand Religions
    UFO Religions
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions


    12. Religion, Conflict, and Peace
    Religion and Conflict
    Role of Religion in Conflict and Violence                                    
    Fundamentalism
    Characteristics of Fundamentalist Groups
    Case Studies of Religion and Conflict
    The Iranian Revolution
    The Arab Spring
    The Hobby Lobby Case in the United States
    Religion, Terrorism and Peace
    Religious Conflict and Terrorism
    Religion and Peace
    Conclusion
    Suggested Reading and Websites
    Study Questions

    Glossary
    Index

    Biography

    Rebecca L. Stein is Professor of Anthropology and Department Chair at Los Angeles Valley College, USA.

    Philip L. Stein is Professor of Anthropology (Emeritus) at Los Angeles Pierce College, USA. He is a fellow of the American Anthropological Association and a past president of the Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges.