MAGIC

                                                                                                                         
Magic may be defined as the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces. Some synonyms of the word magic are: BEWITCHERY, BEWITCHMENT, CONJURING, DEVILRY (or DEVILTRY), DIABLERIE, ENCHANTMENT, ENSORCELLMENT, MOJO, NECROMANCY, SORCERY, THAUMATURGY, VOODOOISM, WITCHCRAFT, WITCHERY, WIZARDRY.
                                                                                                                         
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. As we have come to know in modern times, magical events (or “miracles”) may merely be a form of deception by some “magician.”
                                                                                                                         
It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical analysis, whereas practitioners of magic claim it is an inexplicable force beyond logic.
                                                                                                                         
Magic has been practiced in all cultures, and utilizes ways of understanding, experiencing and influencing the world somewhat akin to those offered by religion, though it is sometimes regarded as more focused on achieving results than religious worship. Magic has been used by the practitioners of various religions and cults from ancient times onward to frighten uneducated people into obedience or turn them into adherents.
                                                                                                                         
This can result from some unexplained event (like a crippled person getting up and walking after a preacher put his hands on her and spoke some incomprehensible utterances); in some religions, such magical events are called “miracles.”
                                                                                                                         
Psychologically, the same events can take place in the minds of people who are being told about magical (or miracle) events—that is, if such people sincerely believe that such events really happened (like a man walking on water or a person being raised from the dead).
                                                                                                                         
Magical events believed to have happened can have a psychological effect on a person’s mind if read from a book (like the Bible or Quran) or if spoken from a pulpit by a preacher or a priest. It is not what actually happens that affects the minds of the people in the audience; it is what they believe has happened that causes the psychological effect.