|
|
Re: shamanism and culture shock
mike shupp (ms44278@HUEY.CSUN.EDU)
Sat, 11 May 1996 09:58:02 -0700
On Sat, 11 May 1996, Daniel Maher wrote:
> Why has there been no mention of the shamins in American culture? On a
> weekly basis you can observe in the United States individuals placing
> hands on others and drawing spirits out of them and inserting new
> spirits.
I'd be reluctant to call the laying on hands "shamanistic." It's
practiced in the Mormon church as well, and the general opinion is
that what's necessary are the faith of the healer and the person being
healed. So anyone can be a healer, (Thus dogma; in practice, Mormons
seem to go to doctors like ordinary mortals.)
A for-real shaman, in my mind, is someone rather distinct from the rest
of his/her tribe.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ms44278@huey.csun.edu
Mike Shupp
California State University, Northridge
|