The DOI matches its Crossref record.
Individualism and Community in Alternative Spiritual “Magic”
Abstract
Religion has been distinguished from magic for the solidarity offered by the former but not the latter, which by contrast is claimed to emphasize individual needs. However, the contemporary alternative or countercultural spiritual network (e.g., New Age, Neo-Paganism) utilizes beliefs and practice that could be described as magic, while still offering social solidarity. Excerpts from in-depth interviews with 22 alternative spiritualists illustrate how the strain between individuality and community is s addressed. Shared ideology across individuals suggests that alternative spirituality is a contemporary social movement, in which protest against social control is voiced more through communication codes than overt political action. Thus, expression of individuality paradoxically individuality versus community. Therefore, magic, when enacted in a complex society, deals with many of the same social strains as religion or other social institutions.
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“The disparagement of New Age and other forms of”
From New Age Healing: Origins, Definitions, and Implications for Religion and Medicine (2022) · cites this paper as Bloch 1998
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New Age Healing: Origins, Definitions, and Implications for Religion and Medicine
Levin, J. (2022) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel13090777 · Cited by 12
Metadata
- Authors
- Bloch, J. P.
- Corresponding author
- Bloch, Jon P.
- Venue
- Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
- Publisher
- JSTOR
- Published
- 1998-06
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 286
- ISSN
- 0021-8294 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2023036071
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 13.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Religious studies › Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion and Society Interactions
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Study and Philosophy of Religion
- Keywords
- alternative spirituality, magic, individualism, community, social solidarity, New Age, neo-paganism, counterculture, social movements, communication codes
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