The Belief in Supernatural Beings

Chapter XLVII

Distinction between “natural” and “supernatural” phenomena, p. sq.—Supernatural mechanical energy, p. sq.—Supernatural qualities attributed to the mental constitution of animate beings, especially to their will, p. .—The difference between religion and magic, ibid.—The meaning of the word religio, pp. –586.—That mystery is the essential characteristic of supernatural beings is testified by language, p. sq.—This testimony corroborated by facts referring to the nature of such objects or individuals as are most commonly worshipped, pp. –593.—Startling events ascribed to the activity of invisible supernatural agents, p. sq.—The origin of animism, p. sq.—A mind presupposes a body, p. sq.—The animist who endows an inanimate object with a soul regards the visible thing itself as its body, p. sq.—The origin of anthropomorphism, p. sq.—The difference between men and gods, p. .—Materiality at last considered a quality not becoming to a god, pp. –601.