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Modern Witch Hunts
The thing we must remember about the words and creations known as sorcery and witchcraft is that at bedrock, they are about power and control.
If a people do not feel they have power or control in a situation, they will look for a way to change that balance. In the mists of time, the perception that a tribe had powerful magic meant that they were bypassed when another group thought a swift little war could gain them possessions and respect. In some parts of the world, those beliefs still rule. Dozens--possibly hundreds--die yearly from the accusation of using Power against others.
Sometimes that reputation for magic meant a clan had a sorcerer--in essence, a dedicated weapons worker. Sometimes it meant that the healer knew how to brew a healing potion so strong it tipped over into weaponry. It was very real, and even necessary, for the survival of that people, to have someone who knew how to talk to plants and cross the liminal veil.
But their enemies saw it differently, of course. And in our world, a world where millions do not believe in magic--and millions do--the balance is more tilted than I think we understand. Now sorcery claims rise often in urban areas with no tradition of sorcery, and among people who have a communal idea for the distribution of wealth. If they are jealous, or think you have not shared your wealth enough? You may be accused. . .and the authorities will do nothing.
In essence, the witch hunts of antiquity continue today.
"Paulus has sat across the table from accusers and asked: Why are you doing this?
"The answers she's received reflect jealousy, greed and a need for revenge. Childless widows might be accused of sorcery so their family members or neighbors can take control of their land. If a woman is accused, she says, "Their sons and nephews wait for their turn to come. If there's another death in the area, it's their turn now to accuse the family ... so they go and do the payback because they lost their mother or auntie.""
In the end, most things come down to either love, or fear and its subsets power and control.
Play the reduction game. Do you find love or fear at the end of the line?
https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/05/24/612451247/in-papua-new-guineas-sorcery-wars-a-peacemaker-takes-on-her-toughest-case?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180525
If a people do not feel they have power or control in a situation, they will look for a way to change that balance. In the mists of time, the perception that a tribe had powerful magic meant that they were bypassed when another group thought a swift little war could gain them possessions and respect. In some parts of the world, those beliefs still rule. Dozens--possibly hundreds--die yearly from the accusation of using Power against others.
Sometimes that reputation for magic meant a clan had a sorcerer--in essence, a dedicated weapons worker. Sometimes it meant that the healer knew how to brew a healing potion so strong it tipped over into weaponry. It was very real, and even necessary, for the survival of that people, to have someone who knew how to talk to plants and cross the liminal veil.
But their enemies saw it differently, of course. And in our world, a world where millions do not believe in magic--and millions do--the balance is more tilted than I think we understand. Now sorcery claims rise often in urban areas with no tradition of sorcery, and among people who have a communal idea for the distribution of wealth. If they are jealous, or think you have not shared your wealth enough? You may be accused. . .and the authorities will do nothing.
In essence, the witch hunts of antiquity continue today.
"Paulus has sat across the table from accusers and asked: Why are you doing this?
"The answers she's received reflect jealousy, greed and a need for revenge. Childless widows might be accused of sorcery so their family members or neighbors can take control of their land. If a woman is accused, she says, "Their sons and nephews wait for their turn to come. If there's another death in the area, it's their turn now to accuse the family ... so they go and do the payback because they lost their mother or auntie.""
In the end, most things come down to either love, or fear and its subsets power and control.
Play the reduction game. Do you find love or fear at the end of the line?
https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/05/24/612451247/in-papua-new-guineas-sorcery-wars-a-peacemaker-takes-on-her-toughest-case?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20180525