Back

Selected ressource details

-
Back

Shamans, Priests and Witches: A Cross-Cultural Study of Magico-Religious Practitioners


Web link: www.jstor.org/stable/35...

Abstract

The general findings of this study show three bases for magico-religious practice: (1) psychobiologically based altered states of consciousness and their functions in healing, divination and human development (Shamanistic Healers and 'magic'); (2) sociopolitical organizations uniting secular and sacred power in complex societies (Priests and 'religion'); and (3) individuals persecuted in the conflict between magico-religious power bases and traditions (Sorcerer/Witch and 'black magic' or 'witchcraft').