Functional Perspectives on Supernatural Beliefs and Practices

Supernatural beliefs and practices are a major pedagogical issue; in addition, it has importance in the psychotherapeutic domain. The key to new look into supernatural beliefs rests on the functional approach. This on one hand eases puritanical fears and on the other opens a paradigm for research. Since long supernatural figures are part of the practices for empowering psyche, this quest has significance in mental health, and several other areas of theoretical significance. India’s cultural diversity includes the infinite gods and goddesses emerging in human minds, taking material forms, evolving, and dissolving, and those once extinct becoming alive in trance. The contemporary evolutionary models have significance to explore the proliferation and extinction of the supernatural agents through the institutions of deities. In this approach the deities of the little tradition and the great tradition have significance in the life of people. The institutions of deities which reside in every village have potential as community mental health centres. For, they engage the people in activities and rituals vital for cohesion in a group. Positive psychologists have incorporated group selection view in their approach