Witchcraft And Its Effect On Society - 1393 Words

Witchcraft is described as the use of magical powers obtained particularly from evil spirits. It can be further explained as the use of sorcery or magic, and communication with the devil. Witchcraft originated with the human civilization itself, and can be dated back 40 000 years to the Paleolithic period. Though the belief fails to persist in developed nations, it continues to prevail in evolving populations such as Papua New Guinea. In the past decade in P.N.G, hundreds of men, women, and children, have been accused of witchcraft or sorcery, and publicly tortured and murdered by vigilante mobs (MacLean 2014). In particular, there has been an increasing reported link between sorcery and witchcraft and violence against women. Over the years, the notion of witchcraft transmuted, and the term â€Å"witch† developed into a metonymy for â€Å"female†. Lack of education, cultural implantations, and biological misconceptions contribute to witchcraft serving as a means of mis ogyny. The importance of education is undeniable as it plays a rudimentary role in society and increases the potential of individuals. Rural women in P.N.G. establish a category with substantially less access to education. Educational achievement clearly separates a political elite from ordinary citizens, but among those ordinary citizens educational achievement is distributed in such a way that males have a greater chance than females of entering that elite (Johnson 1993:189). This becomes problematic in terms ofShow MoreRelatedWitchcraft And Its Effect On Society3333 Words   |  14 PagesWitchcraft exists. Whether we choose to believe or not, its existence in worldwide cultures is undeniable. Its form takes many shapes that can be determined by the religion, economics, politics, and folk beliefs in each individual culture where it may take place. Its importance in our own, American, history should not go understated: Witches were a major dilemma for people who lived in 1692 Salem, Massa chusetts, and as a result women (and men) were hanged due to undeniable belief in the power ofRead MoreWitchcraft Is The Existence Of Magic That Is Manipulated For Both Good And Wicked Essay1495 Words   |  6 PagesWitchcraft in Nepal â€Å"Witchcraft is the belief of magic that is manipulated for both good and wicked purposes† (McGarry, 2016). The practice of witchcraft is demonstrated in many societies around the world; however, witchcraft is looked down upon. In this case, two societies in Nepal are significant for the practices and beliefs of witchcraft: the Tibetan Nyinba, and the Kathmandu Village. These two societies believe in witchcraft because of the harmful and malicious practices [witches] hold withinRead MoreThe Salem Witch Trials And The Early Civilizations1725 Words   |  7 PagesAlthough the Salem Witch trials are commonly referred to as the start of the witchcraft persecution, witchcraft can be found the early civilizations. Evidence of this is easily found in the societies that had Shamans or Healers of the village, where healing or blessings were done through spiritual connections. Back then, people were more accepting of it in their daily lives because they depended on it, but things were different in Europe during the Middle AGes. With the added influence of ChristianRead MoreWitchcraft1717 Words   |  7 PagesDruga gimnazija Sarajevo IB World School Middle Years Programme HISTORY Reformation in Europe in 16th century ------------------------------------------------- Witchcraft WORD COUNT 1138 Sarajevo, October 2012 Action Plan For this essay I choose to write about witchcraft in the 16th and 17th century since I find the topic extremely interesting the write about. Given that we only have a paragraph about it in out History textbooks, I will have to look into other books and also searchRead MoreThe Church Of The Christian Church1544 Words   |  7 Pagesrepentance will not clear what you have done and that God will not give you certain blessings because you have sinned. This institution of my culture functions similarly to the Azande and their witchcraft because they are both used to control society. The Author also states on page five hundred-fifty-five that, â€Å"Witchcraft is thought to be an actual physical property residing inside some individuals, who may themselves be unaware of their power.† I relate this statement to some of the Christian pastors andRead More Witches Essay1357 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England. New York: Vintage, 1987.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The Devil in the Shape of a Woman by Carol Karlsen takes a closer look at the females being accused of witchcraft in colonial New England. American history has few subjects as interesting as witchcraft, because it confronts us with many different ideas about women. It confronts us with fears about women, the place of women in society, and with women themselvesRead MoreThe practice of using ritual powers, magic and the invocation of spirits-broadly termed as1200 Words   |  5 PagesThe practice of using ritual powers, magic and the invocation of spirits-broadly termed as witchcraft- is a fascinating topic shrouded in mystery. Although an ancient practise, witchcraft is still a very relevant topic in modern society. In Evans-Pritchard’s article entitled â€Å"The Notion of Witchcraft explains Unfortunate Events†, he focuses on how witchcraft helps the people of the Azande tribe make sense of the relation between their people and the unfortunate events that they encounter. It doesRead MoreWitches, Sorcerers, And Shamans1650 Words   |  7 Pagesfirst and most recent article reviewed, Witchcraft Prosecutions and the Decline of Magic, relays a bell curve theory for the rise and ultimate decline in the belief in magic and witches. The author, Edward Bever, attributes the rise in witch prosecutions to the rising populations and limited resources. Bever focuses on a shift of how witchcraft is studied. Many relate the Enlightenment with the decline in of witchcraft, he sees the Enlightenment as more of an effect of the decline of witch trials, notRead MoreWitchcraft And Superstition In Medieval Europe1654 Words   |  7 PagesWitchcraft and superstition in Medieval Europe The concept of witchcraft and superstition stretches over a long period of time. The idea became familiar around 560 B.C when the two old testaments denounced witches and the belief in them. The idea is said to have originated in Europe, rapidly spreading around the world. Medieval Europe was an era that solely believed in magic, witches and the supernatural. In the Middle Ages witchcraft was viewed as a heinous crime that was punishable by deathRead MoreThe Crucible By Nicholas Hytner1638 Words   |  7 Pagestown of Salem as they are engulfed in the mass hysteria of witchcraft. A group of young girls are caught dancing in the woods, and thus fearing punishment claim that they were possessed by the devil. Soon the accusations run wild which resulted in the arrest of two-hundred peoples, and the execution of twenty. Today the film is regarded as an allegory for the McCarthy hearings though it also provides an intimate look into the closed societies of colonial America. The film d isplays some of the themes