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polytheism and magic

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I have always wondered this my self. I have inspected it very closely and don't get it.
images (12).jpg
 
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The Kilted Heathen

Crow FreyjasmaðR
It's most likely due to monotheism being strictly against magic - as called - despite having several practices that are similar; and even instances where magic is practiced outright.
 
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Hildeburh

Active Member
Christianity differentiated itself from pagan religions by many methods, one of these methods used was to condemn magic. Magic is aggressively denounced in the Bible (Old and New Testament) but it is never clearly defined, it simply was whatever pagans practiced or whatever opposed Christianity. Magic was seen as deviant behaviour and used to demonise non Christian practices.

Of course Christians employed magical practices, the folk traditions of using amulets, charms and potions simply took on a Christian flavour. The mindset of Christian condemnation of magic continues into the modern world, which is why we have the ridiculous denounciations of literature, such as Harry Potter, by the Church.

Why, despite the obvious use of magic by Christians is magic still associated with polytheism? Because in the countries where Abrahamic religions have historically predominated their weltanschauung (worldview) continues to predominate.
 
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Holdasown

Active Member
why most people associate polytheism with magic?

Many witches work with spirits and nature. Many polytheists religions have stories about spirits and nature. They over lap. Some have their own forms of magic and divination. Like seidr.
 
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Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
POlytheistic religions as a whole have a strong chaotic nature in their theology and they lack the rigidness of monotheistic religions. This means it allows for a more diverse view of the world and a diving into more esoteric aspects of divinity and the fundamentals of the world.

I partially believe that there is also a misunderstanding when people throw out words like magic as even prayer is just another form of divination and that truly magic never left monotheism.

Islam for example heavily focuses on magic and retains all of the magical principles found in most esoteric studies of what we call paganism. It uses excessive numerology and cosmology to such an extent that praying is only strongest at certain periods of the day and must contain ritualized numerical sets and actions. Islam still produced grimoires in its high points and to this very day strongly emphasizes this by most imams and scholars.

Granted Muslims believe that what they call magic is but a way for the waswas to enter your mind they lack the understanding of the magic they do everyday. So a lot of this is but conflation and the confusing perception of what is defined as magic.
 
why most people associate polytheism with magic?
The answer is simple, its a demon viewpoint of a demonised being. This is why people hate christianity, because it works in the opposite way magic does. Faith is hardwork, dedication and craft, not just ask and receive like you would from a genie.
 

The Kilted Heathen

Crow FreyjasmaðR
The answer is simple, its a demon viewpoint of a demonised being. This is why people hate christianity, because it works in the opposite way magic does. Faith is hardwork, dedication and craft, not just ask and receive like you would from a genie.
You need to not be in the Polytheism section. This is not a place for you to proselytize.
 
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