define a person's position in life and provides them with guidance. While there have been numerous reports showing this important relationship, the most convincing examples can be found by observing the five elements of Leviticus, spirit possession, wit

Harry D. Eastwell's article "Voodoo Death and the Mechanism for Dispatch of the Dying in East Arnhem, Australia" is another solid example of the relationship between religion and society in regards to witchcraft or sorcery. Eastwell observes the Murngin tribe and their belief in sorcery and how it has affected the tribes' society and their belief in death. If a person commits an awful act, incest for example, it is likely that the person will fall victim to sorcery. The person will quickly become ill and often end up dying. The tribe believes that when a person becomes sick it is because an evil spirit has entered their body and is making them sick. When this happens, the tribe will often consider you dead, and begin to perform unique ceremonial dances around you. As a result, the victim will refuse water because he or she believes that drinking water will only give the spirit more life and that once you fall ill, your time has come and you will die. Despite the fact t!

To further elaborate on the aspect of spirit possession, we can look at Aihwa Ong's article entitled "Spirits of Resistance." This article took an in depth look at the free trade zone in Malaysia where young, unmarried female workers were employed in factories run by large multinational companies. To maximize profits, salaries were extremely poor and working conditions were no better. While a variety of methods were engaged to protest the working conditions, the one of relevance to this paper is of spirit possession. Their religion involved spirit possession and the women would claim to be possessed by spirits who were angry at the working conditions. Often flailing their arms and becoming violent, the women were consequently unable to work and frequently, the possession engulfed more than one woman. These women, while unable to protest publicly in the form of a union, have found a way to protest by using their religion and the belief in spirit possession. Regardless o!

evident that their practice of going into the forest to have a vision is an act that helps to define a man's position in society. In the Ndembu tribe, the "mystery of the three rivers"

people. No one will intentionally agitate another person because they understand that it can lead to bad things happening to them. Therefore, while the religious beliefs of the

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is explained to neophytes, in riddling songs and also directly, in terms of what each river signifies using the three colors red, white, and black. The explanations serve as lessons of "life values, ethical ideas, and social norms, to grossly physiological processes and phenomena" all of which explain to the trainee, life's mysteries and lessons on social conduct. Both of these tribes display the integral relationship between religion and society. These religious rituals help to guide a person through transitional stages in their life and also aids in defining who they are in society.

f whether they actually are possessed, the important fact is that they have managed to improve their social position by using religion.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Netsilik Eskimos, Omaha Indians, Arnhem Australia, Spirits Resistance, Witches Enemies, Levy-Bruhl Durkheims, Leviticus Theft, Period Rites, Jesus Christ, God Devoutly, spirit possession, religion society, relationship religion society, religious beliefs, social life, relationship religion, witchcraft sorcery, throughout world, rites passage, numerous reports, position society, possession witchcraft sorcery, witchcraft sorcery millenarianism, social life shaman, claim possessed spirits,
Approximate Word count = 2113
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)