JuliaX1984 OP t1_iujuka1 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:42 PM

Reply to comment by CaucusInferredBulk in ELI5: In witchcraft, how do spells allegedly do what they do? by JuliaX1984

Well, for example, by what mechanism do amethysts prevent drunkenness or hangovers?

What's the basis for the theory that crystals store energy?

By what mechanism does sympathetic magic cause something to happen to object B? How does the effect or energy get from A to B?

If this is real, why don't witches cast revenge spells on evil dictators or run a pro bono service to curse abusive partners or make people in poverty win the lottery?

If this is real, aren't revenge spells and love spells as bad as assault/battery and rape? No matter how attracted a person is to someone, it doesn't give a partner the right to override their right to make their own choices by influencing their mind.

I'm trying to reconcile people talking as if it's real with the way it's handled. Even if there's no scientific explanation, there must be a purported explanation of how it does what it does.

CaucusInferredBulk t1_iujvd4b wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:48 PM

some things have slim basis in truth. Crystals do resonate and transmit energy. But believers give them attributes which haven't been proven out. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_radio

How do entangled electrons communicate over vast distances? If you can answer that question you will be rich and famous for the rest of your life. But the fact that we can't explain it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I don't believe in sympathetic magic, because ive never seen it performed. But the fact that we don't know how it would work isn't necessarily sufficient argument against it.

Some of your questions there aren't really about how, they are exploring philosophy/morals. If magic were real, yes there would be crimes associated with love potions.

Why don't X do Y - Thats part of why people don't believe. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/12/new-york-psychic-arrested-zoe-fortune-teller

At a fundamental level its faith. And ignorance. But most people are also ignorant of the way their car works beyond the high level basics too.