Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

[Disir]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

 

[progressive hunter]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

youre thinking of evolution that says one animal magically changes to another,,,

 

[Disir]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

youre thinking of evolution that says one animal magically changes to another,,,

Hmmm.......Pretty sure that's not it.

 

[progressive hunter]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

youre thinking of evolution that says one animal magically changes to another,,,

Hmmm.......Pretty sure that's not it.

pretty sure thats exactly what they say,,,

in fact its worse,, the animal/ all life on earth came from the primordial soup,,

Primordial soup
Primordial soup, or prebiotic soup, is the hypothetical set of conditions present on the Earth around 4.0 to 3.7 billion years ago. It is a fundamental aspect to the heterotrophic theory of the origin of life, first proposed by Alexander Oparin in 1924, and John Burdon Sanderson Haldane in 1929. Wikipedia

 

[Disir]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

youre thinking of evolution that says one animal magically changes to another,,,

Hmmm.......Pretty sure that's not it.

pretty sure thats exactly what they say,,,

in fact its worse,, the animal/ all life on earth came from the primordial soup,,

Primordial soup
Primordial soup, or prebiotic soup, is the hypothetical set of conditions present on the Earth around 4.0 to 3.7 billion years ago. It is a fundamental aspect to the heterotrophic theory of the origin of life, first proposed by Alexander Oparin in 1924, and John Burdon Sanderson Haldane in 1929. Wikipedia

But this modern understanding of magic doesn’t map neatly onto the world of the first Christians. “Magic” has always had many meanings. From what scholars can gather, the word itself was imported from the Persian word “maguš,” which may have described a class of priests with royal connections. Sometimes, these “magi” were depicted as performing divination, ritual activities or educating young boys who would take the throne.

Greek texts retained this earlier meaning and also added new ones. The famous ancient Greek historian Herodotus writes that the Persian magi interpreted dreams, read the skies and performed sacrifices. Herodotus uses the Greek word “magos.” Sophocles, a Greek playwright, uses the same term in his tragedy “Oedipus the King,” when Oedipus berates the seer Tiresias for scheming to overthrow him.

Although these two Greek texts both date from roughly the early 400s B.C., “magician” has different connotations in each.

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

I watched "Merlin" on Netflix and remember thinking how at every point throughout history there was always a designated group of people feared and hated by everyone else.

It's not the ability that is good/bad (or immoral), it's how it's used that allows people to draw these conclusions but what we often forget is that while a certain outcome may be good for a specific person or group of people, it could be negative for others not a part of that group, the eternal problem - "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one."

 

[ding]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

I don't know what the leap beyond consciousness leads to but I can see how some would call it magic.

I don't believe it would be moral or immoral in and of itself. That would be like saying a firearm is moral or immoral. It's just a tool which can be used for good or evil.

 

[lg325]

Once during Revival meeting we had a traveling Evangelist Preacher used what he called illusions to put across his message. He would not show us how he did it, but assured us it wasn't magic but illusion . If something like that is portrayed as a magic and the person doing it claims to posses some sort of special power then its wrong.

 

[Mikeoxenormous]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

youre thinking of evolution that says one animal magically changes to another,,,

Hmmm.......Pretty sure that's not it.

pretty sure thats exactly what they say,,,

in fact its worse,, the animal/ all life on earth came from the primordial soup,,

Primordial soup
Primordial soup, or prebiotic soup, is the hypothetical set of conditions present on the Earth around 4.0 to 3.7 billion years ago. It is a fundamental aspect to the heterotrophic theory of the origin of life, first proposed by Alexander Oparin in 1924, and John Burdon Sanderson Haldane in 1929. Wikipedia

Primordial soup, or prebiotic soup, is the hypothetical set of conditions present on the Earth around 4.0 to 3.7 billion years ago.

Uhmmm, magic...

 

[cnm]

One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions.

Morality comes from community norms, it is not inherent from birth. This is shown by the way different communities have different morals. Valid morals are those which assist the community to survive/prosper. Since most communities had/do have acceptance of supernatural events magic is an expression of a valid moral.

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

Magic is an ancient explanation for things now defined by science.

 

[Penelope]

Magic is like Moses' staff and Solomon's ring. Magic is all throughout the bible.

That is how faith healing got started and money showed up in the mailbox from people who tithed.

 

[Disir]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

youre thinking of evolution that says one animal magically changes to another,,,

Hmmm.......Pretty sure that's not it.

pretty sure thats exactly what they say,,,

in fact its worse,, the animal/ all life on earth came from the primordial soup,,

Primordial soup
Primordial soup, or prebiotic soup, is the hypothetical set of conditions present on the Earth around 4.0 to 3.7 billion years ago. It is a fundamental aspect to the heterotrophic theory of the origin of life, first proposed by Alexander Oparin in 1924, and John Burdon Sanderson Haldane in 1929. Wikipedia

Point taken.

 

[Disir]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

I watched "Merlin" on Netflix and remember thinking how at every point throughout history there was always a designated group of people feared and hated by everyone else.

It's not the ability that is good/bad (or immoral), it's how it's used that allows people to draw these conclusions but what we often forget is that while a certain outcome may be good for a specific person or group of people, it could be negative for others not a part of that group, the eternal problem - "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one."

And you were able to throw in Spock! That is an awesome post.

 

[Disir]

Americans are fascinated by magic. TV shows like “WandaVision” and “The Witcher,” books like the Harry Potter series, plus comics, movies and games about people with powers that can’t be explained by God, science or technology, have all been wildly popular for years. Modern pop culture is a testament to how enchanted people are by the thought of gaining special control over an uncertain world.

“Magic” is often defined in the West as evil or separate from “civilized” religions like Christianity and also from the scientific observation and study of the world. But the irony is that magic was integral to the development of Christianity and other religions – and it informed the evolution of the sciences, too.

As an expert in ancient magic and early Christianity, I study how magic helped early adherents develop a Christian identity. One part of this identity was morality: the inner sense of right and wrong that guides life decisions. Of course, the darker side of this development is the slide into supremacy: seeing one’s own tradition as morally superior and rightfully dominant.

..... This presented a problem for early Christian authors: If wondrous deeds were fairly commonplace, how could a group looking to attract followers compete with “magicians”? After all, Christian leaders like Jesus, Peter and Paul did extraordinary deeds, too. So Christian writers made distinctions in order to elevate their heroes.
Is magic immoral? It played a role in the development of early Christianity

This is an interesting read as well.

I don't know what the leap beyond consciousness leads to but I can see how some would call it magic.

I don't believe it would be moral or immoral in and of itself. That would be like saying a firearm is moral or immoral. It's just a tool which can be used for good or evil.

I can agree with it as a tool.

 

[Disir]

Magic is an ancient explanation for things now defined by science.

Sure for a great many things externally but there is also a very rich history of internal change via rituals that are equally fascinating.

 

[there4eyeM]

Human perception is vulnerable to illusion.

 

[BS Filter]

This is the greatest magic act ever.

 

[my2¢]

For a while now now watching magic has made me uncomfortable for it brings me to have questions about my faith. Especially in regards in thinking about the plagues of Egypt.

Then I also have a fuzzy memory of something in the New Testament mentioning a magician wanting to learn the miracles from the disciples for I guess monetary gains. I may be way off, on that one.

 

[BreezeWood]

.
if there were magic, houdini would have found a way to send his greetings. no such luck. exists.