Why do some people believe in magic ?

[RileyG]

I think a belief in the supernatural is inherent in humans. We are born theists. So whether its God, gods, natural, aliens with magic like powers, witches, Sharam casting spells, or make believe Hollywood movies we are naturally tuned for such beliefs.

I also think modern tech and science has given humans a sense that anything is possible. Its getting like people are finding it hard to destinguish what reality is and will believe all sorts of stuff that we would say was unreal and magical thinking.

What do you mean by we are born theists?

 

[stevevw]

What do you mean by we are born theists?

Studies have been done on young children which shows they have a fairly sophisticate theistic belief that is not the same as human made beliefs about Gods (Anthropotheism). So their belief is not taught and its something they naturally come up with as a result of being human.

It is this natural belief that is later encultured in various ways such as Hindu, Muslims, Witchery, New Age Mysticism or Christian ect. Or none at all. But the study also found that trying to get belief out of a child is near impossible. In fact when people say that kids are indoctrinated into believing in God or other beliefs its really the other way around where you have to indoctrinate a child out of belief.

Thats because they their mind is attuned to belief and teleology and in the supernatural, something behind what we see and a disembodied existence like a soul.

The studies also go into how children know the difference between false beliefs and knowing how humans believe as opposed to their natural theism. Theres also studies on adults which show we are natural theists. Theres common core beliefs throughout all cultures and religions.

Born believers: How your brain creates God

Born believers: How your brain creates God

Michelangelo's painting The Creation of the First Man is in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Human beings have a natural inclination for religious belief, especially during hard times Read our related editorial: The credit crunch could be a boon for irrational belief WHILE many institutions...

www.newscientist.com

Humans 'predisposed' to believe in gods and the afterlife

Humans 'predisposed' to believe in gods and the afterlife

New research finds that humans have natural tendencies to believe in gods and an afterlife. Research suggests that people across many different cultures instinctively believe that some part of their mind, soul or spirit lives on after-death. The studies demonstrate that people are natural...

www.sciencedaily.com

Religion is natural

Religion is natural - PubMed

Despite its considerable intellectual interest and great social relevance, religion has been neglected by contemporary developmental psychologists. But in the last few years, there has been an emerging body of research exploring children's grasp of certain universal religious ideas. Some recent...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Also we are also born with a sense of morality and empathy. Which seems to go hand in hand with our belief. Studies have shown even babies cry at the pain of other crying babies. Children have this strong and developed sense of justice, kindness and fairness well before being taught it.

I guess thats why Christ said we need to become like little children.

 

[RileyG]

Studies have been done on young children which shows they have a fairly sophisticate theistic belief that is not the same as human made beliefs about Gods (Anthropotheism). So their belief is not taught and its something they naturally come up with as a result of being human.

It is this natural belief that is later encultured in various ways such as Hindu, Muslims, Witchery, New Age Mysticism or Christian ect. Or none at all. But the study also found that trying to get belief out of a child is near impossible. In fact when people say that kids are indoctrinated into believing in God or other beliefs its really the other way around where you have to indoctrinate a child out of belief.

Thats because they their mind is attuned to belief and teleology and in the supernatural, something behind what we see and a disembodied existence like a soul.

The studies also go into how children know the difference between false beliefs and knowing how humans believe as opposed to their natural theism. Theres also studies on adults which show we are natural theists. Theres common core beliefs throughout all cultures and religions.

Born believers: How your brain creates God

Born believers: How your brain creates God

Michelangelo's painting The Creation of the First Man is in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Human beings have a natural inclination for religious belief, especially during hard times Read our related editorial: The credit crunch could be a boon for irrational belief WHILE many institutions...

www.newscientist.com

Humans 'predisposed' to believe in gods and the afterlife

Humans 'predisposed' to believe in gods and the afterlife

New research finds that humans have natural tendencies to believe in gods and an afterlife. Research suggests that people across many different cultures instinctively believe that some part of their mind, soul or spirit lives on after-death. The studies demonstrate that people are natural...

www.sciencedaily.com

Religion is natural

Religion is natural - PubMed

Despite its considerable intellectual interest and great social relevance, religion has been neglected by contemporary developmental psychologists. But in the last few years, there has been an emerging body of research exploring children's grasp of certain universal religious ideas. Some recent...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Also we are also born with a sense of morality and empathy. Which seems to go hand in hand with our belief. Studies have shown even babies cry at the pain of other crying babies. Children have this strong and developed sense of justice, kindness and fairness well before being taught it.

I guess thats why Christ said we need to become like little children.

Wonderful! Thanks for the detailed response

God bless you