Magic vs. Religion

Humanism belief emphasizes the value of human beings with the values i the existential individual and collective way of thinking––the basic moral concept of free will. This refers to the different choices people make in life, and the paths that are chosen for either benefit or consequence. A further assumption is the typical belief that people are good and thus must make the world better as well. The humanistic approach emphasizes the personal worth of an individual, the creativeness of people, and the centrality of human values. The revelation of humanism also has a major contribution to religion. Philosophers such as Desiderius Erasmus, followed Aristotle's humanist beliefs of formal logic (not influenced by Christianity) and converted their religious ideals into Christian Humanism. THis humanistic approach emphasizes the humanity of Jesus and his social teachings, along with his propensity and human spirituality/ materialism all into one concept.
    During the Renaissance era humanism and the different way of logical and theoretical thinking impact on religions such as Catholicism, Protestantism, and Anglicanism; all of which where influenced by the idea of "eternal souls."  Yet, humanism also began influencing the ideas of magic. In Europe, many rural towns, peasants, turned to magic, spells, and rituals, symbols, and actions to help "solve" their problems. In an attempt to reach spiritual growth, those who practiced magic used elements such as inner peace and connecting with the world to seek something beyond themselves as individuals to reach out to humanity. Magic was considered highly heretical and faced skepticism, criticism, and fear thus leading to rituals performed in secrecy.  to secrecy of rituals. Although the participants of magic where pure in their values, the elements of the "darker spirituality" were considered "sorcery," and not accepted by religious means. 

The most common view of magic most commonly even do this day is viewed as more of an art form rather than a religion, therefore did not develop a broad belief system. There is a form of magic that does emphasize religion called, Wicca. 

Although magic is considered more respectively a practice rather than a religion, it is not impossible for there to be the the use of magic as part of its religious rituals. If religion were easily identifiable as one thing, all religions would be the same. The core of every religion--its deeply held beliefs--is at least a little different than every other religion. How the followers of that religion live that out, in terms of its rituals, symbols and actions, might also be quite different. Seemingly, magic is a practice rather than a religion, though certainly it is possible for a religion to practice or use magic as part of its religious rituals. Although it is more understandable to make a request to God through a religious prayer than to the simple forces of nature through a spell; for those who do not wish or believe in a certain religion or the influence of God, asking Nature seems just as justified to their beliefs. The sense of individualism in the ability to hold either a religious or a mythical belief is the very core to humanism and the beauty of the power of the mind.