Ashford ANT351 Week 4 Discussion (dq1+dq2) Latest

ANT351 Anthropology of Religion, Magic and Ritual

Week 4 Discussion

DQ1 Witchcraft

Witchcraft. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Watch Strange Beliefs: Sir Edward Evans-Pritchard. Then, read the assigned selections from Chapter 7: Witchcraft, Sorcery, Divination, and Magic in Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion.

E. E. Evans-Pritchard concluded that the belief in witchcraft serves three cultural functions: to provide an explanation for the unexplainable; to provide a set of cultural behaviors for dealing with misfortune; and to help to define morality. Legare and Gelman (2008) propose that even when people understand biological or natural explanations for phenomena, they may still employ supernatural explanations, such as believing in witchcraft.

How do Evans-Pritchard's ideas conflict with the coexistence model proposed by Legare and Gelman? Which theory do you find more convincing? Use examples from the readings and from your own experience to support your points.

DQ2 Separation of Church and State

Separation of Church and State. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Reflecting on this week’s required readings and videos, discuss the following:

?  Should religion play a role in the United States Government?

?  Does religion already play a role? If so, what role?

?  How do debates about secularism in France compare to those in America?

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.