Gods and Spirits

1
Gods and Spirits
2
Spirits

• A supernatural being that is less powerful than a
  god and is usually more localized often one of a
  collection of nonindividualized supernatural
  beings that are not given specific names and
  identities.
• Spirits are very much involved in humanly affairs
  and can have a negative or positive influence.
• Spirits also reside in the human world, and are
  often seen as inhabiting natural or man-made
  objects.
• Ireland, Brittish Isles
• Leprechaun, Fairy
• Statues and Shrines
• A shrine is an object or building that contains
  sacred objects or is associated with a venerated
  person or deity
• Ex Fairy Circle
• Ex Aten temple, Akhenaten
• Japan
• Kami, Obake (bakemono) or a thing that changes,
  and Yokai (usually has some sort of supernatural
  power)
• Hayao Miyasaki Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke,
  Howls Moving Castle
• Spirited Away clip (batthouse spirits 300
  onward)
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vGi1usVlvXUo
• River God http//www.youtube.com/watch?vHUg_f2R
  frPE
• Princess Mononoke clip 330ish onward)
  http//www.youtube.com/watch?vzZwCg0-9zzs
• Keane and Kami http//www.youtube.com/watch?vhmX
  Y2MSrguE

3
Spirits cont.

• Jinn
• A spirit being created of fire without smoke.
• 1 of 3 types of beings (Jinn, humans, angels)
  described in the Quran.
• When visible, can alter shape and features at
  will.
• Like humans in that they can be good or bad, have
  different personalities, get married, have
  families
• A person can form an alliance with a jinn,
  gaining supernatural powers in the process
• Ex Genii from Arabian Nights stories
• Anthropological study Jinn of the Hofriyat
  village
• Black Jinn Possession leads to serious illness
  and sometimes, death.
• Red Jinn (Zairan pl., Zar sing.) cause illness.
  Of different cultures and ethnic groups. Can be
  good/bad, have diff. behaviors, but tend to be
  amoral and easily lead by emotions, fickle.
• A Zar may possess members of the community,
  usually women of childbearing age. Possession is
  lifelong and women will attend possession
  ceremonies, wear clothing and eat a specific diet
  designed to pacify the Zar.
• The woman will therefore maintain a cure and
  the Zar will gain access to the human world.
• Christian Angels and Demons
• Angles In Christianity, Judaism and Islam
  mediators between humanity and God. Often
  represented as agents of revelation, executors of
  divine will or as witnesses to divine activity.
• Besides Ghosts, Angels are most highly popular
  supernatural entities in American Culture.
• Demons An evil spirit being
• Demons and Satan rebelled against God and were
  cast out of heaven
• Closely associated with human evil, Hell, and
  Adam/Eves casting out of The Garden of Eden
• In Catholicism, they are those that are cast out
  during Exorcism.