What is fetishism, and what are its modern manifestations?

If a fetish is a sacred object, a creature,phenomenon, fetishism is the worship of a fetish. It is clear, but too simplistic, and therefore - primitive. Inexperienced in this issue, the average man of the early 21st century, who has a well-developed cultural and historical horizon, fetishism is a completely modern phenomenon. And it is expressed for him at best in worshiping idols (show stars, politicians) and material goods (commodity brands, luxury goods). But most likely on the question of what fetishism is, you will have to hear about sexual deviations, when the object of lust, adoration, worship becomes clothes, shoes and other things of a loved one.

Fetishism as a rite of service

In fact, people began to worshipobjects, elements, creatures from the very beginning of their appearance on earth. But despite such a long history, the representatives of science did not come to a common understanding of what fetishism is. Austrian W. Schmidt, a recognized ethnographer and theologian, is sure that for the early beliefs, it was not typical polytheism, as it is commonly believed, but monotheism. That is, there was one God and one religion. Fetishism was not a religion, but a magical means of expression, along with totemism and animism. Logically, it turns out that first there was religion, then fetishism - as a necessary rite of service. Most scholars do not agree with this, and contrasts Schmidt's theory with a reasonable counterargument: the assumption of original monotheism automatically becomes a denial of the evolution of religions. But their history testifies to the evolution from polytheism (polytheism) to monotheism (monotheism).

In the beginning there was a fetishism. Or totemism?

Otherwise it explains what fetishism is, the FrenchmanBros. As a historian of religion who has long studied this issue, Bros regards fetishism as not the magic means of expressing religion, but the most ancient form of religion itself. Other scientists (Fraser, Durkheim) do not consider the most ancient form of beliefs fetishism. Totemism, in their opinion, more suited to this definition. There are also those who suggest animism for this role. This concludes with scientific excursions, especially since there is no single point of view for science. While scientists have not developed it, we will draw conclusions on the ideas that have developed in the society today about fetishes and totems.

Totems in Africa live

Totems are in all nations. This is some sacred animal, bird, tree, stone, which are considered patrons of the family and even its ancestors. But unlike fetishes, the totems retained their significance only in isolated tribes of Africa, Australia, and the North. Although in large African cities, so far faith in the ancestors of animals remains. In their squares, tourists often observe ritual dances performed by aborigines in animal masks. As for European culture, totemic animals live only in myths and in the cultural, but not religious consciousness of people. For Italians, for example, the myth about the founders of Rome is a myth and remains - no one seriously considers himself a descendant of the wolf

eggs.

Fetishism, fanaticism and lust

But fetishes in the modern world have received hardlynot more spread than in antiquity. And it's not even about passion for any miracle talismans, incense and amulets, which for a decent price offer abundantly multiplying magicians, healers and astrologers. Modern society personifies, gives supernatural properties to things that they also produced. There was a new "religion of sensual lust" (K. Marks), the main feature of which - zabalennost objects. Perhaps this will be the most correct definition of what fetishism is today. People almost pray for prestigious cars, jewelry, mediocre daub of some fashionable "genius". But the most vivid manifestation of modern fetishism is the worship of idols. Fans are real fetishists.

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