ABSTRACT
In the previous chapter I deliberately held open the question whether Zande witchcraft should be classified as ‘religion’ or as something different. This is an issue which we must now confront by considering what range of mystical activity the term religion includes and where its outer limits lie. We can usefully begin our discussion here by taking up a very important and characteristic religious theme : the ambiguity or ambivalence which is so often such a striking feature of mystical power. Take Zande magic for example. In itself it'is neutral - neither good nor bad. It acquires a moral value according to the use made of it. Thus vengeancemagic launched against witches is a perfectly legitimate and morally acceptable course of action; but recourse to similar magi cal practices directed against honest, upright members of the community is bad and is in fact sorcery. It is the ends not the means which are decisive here.
