8 Magic

Magic, witchcraft, spellcraft, and sorcery are just a few English terms describing what will be covered in this section.  As mentioned in the chapter opener, magic is everywhere.  A great example is the Roman Catholic tradition of the Eucharist.  There are certain techniques, or actions, the priest and recipient of the Eucharist must perform in order to obtain the non-demonstrable effects of it (receiving God’s gift of grace).  Techniques like the priest saying “The Body of Christ” and placing the wafer on the tongue or in the hands of the recipient and the recipient performing a simple bow of the head and saying “Amen.”  This makes the Eucharist an example of the communicated acceptance of the supernatural claim that certain techniques have supernatural effects, effects that cannot be demonstrated (Steadman and Palmer 2007).  Any time someone attends Catholic mass and goes through these motions, both the priest and recipient are engaging in the religious behavior known as magic.

Some social scientists might say the prevalence of magic in our world is due to people truly believing that it works or that it reduces the anxiety inherent in being unable to control a situation.  Not only is it impossible or difficult to verify either of these phenomena occurring in a person, some magic (black magic as opposed white magic) is meant to create anxiety and fear, not alleviate it.  So, what is the function of magic?  Not to sound like a broken record at this point, but magic boils down to functioning as an elaborate form of communication.

Referencing the Eucharist and “Green Beard” videos again, when “Amen” is said, what’s really being said to everyone in the room is, “Yes, I am a member of the Body of Christ. We are the Body of Christ” and “I will take Jesus into my heart, into my life this week.”  By going through the motions of the Eucharist and saying “Amen,” you are strapping on a cultural “green beard.” This then signals to those around you your willingness to “Take Jesus into your heart” and engage in selfless behavior with everyone else, the other members of “The Body of Christ,” that received communion along with you, with an expectation that they will do the same.  In other words, everyone receiving communion is also signaling to you their willingness to be selectively altruistic towards you.

Even with all of the technological advancements in science and greater understanding of cause and effect in the modern age, magic has survived, and will likely continue far into the future.  This can likely be attributed to magical actions, encouraged and facilitated by religious leadership, speaking louder than words when you’re trying to find reliable cooperation partners for you and your offspring.