Apocryphal Story Charms: Witchcraft in Christian Communities
Additional Funding Sources
The funding for this project was supported or partially supported by Idaho State University Office of the Provost Undergraduate Research funds.
Abstract
Charms are known elements of many religions, but we do not typically associate them with Christian beliefs. However, in rural parts of England, charms existed and were regularly practiced in Christian communities as late as the 1950s. Many of these contained apocryphal bible stories, that is, stories that do not exist in the bible but are thought to. This paper looks at five apocryphal charms collected in the 1700s to the early 1900s to discover what elements may have lent them credibility in the communities where they were used. Some of these factors include sympathetic or prayer-like structures and the use of biblical language. The location and economics of the communities from which these charms were collected also play a role. It seems that the long-lived success of charms such as these may be due to their sympathetic and religious natures, as well as the lack of education in practicing communities.
Apocryphal Story Charms: Witchcraft in Christian Communities
Charms are known elements of many religions, but we do not typically associate them with Christian beliefs. However, in rural parts of England, charms existed and were regularly practiced in Christian communities as late as the 1950s. Many of these contained apocryphal bible stories, that is, stories that do not exist in the bible but are thought to. This paper looks at five apocryphal charms collected in the 1700s to the early 1900s to discover what elements may have lent them credibility in the communities where they were used. Some of these factors include sympathetic or prayer-like structures and the use of biblical language. The location and economics of the communities from which these charms were collected also play a role. It seems that the long-lived success of charms such as these may be due to their sympathetic and religious natures, as well as the lack of education in practicing communities.
Comments
W70