1. Using an anthropological lens, explain what a belief system is

A belief system is a set of principles or an ideology that assists in interpreting our daily reality. This can be in form of spirituality and religion. These beliefs are formed and influenced by different aspects including, the manner in which a person is raised, knowledge to certain topics and peer pressure from those around us. This means that belief systems entails myths and stories whose interpretation can offer people knowledge into how they should behave, think and feel. The Roman civilization and the mythologies of the ancient Greek are examples of how belief systems influences our daily life in the society as well as the role they can play in offering significance to individual’s actions. The most noticeable belief systems tend to be those related with formal religions; however, any system of belief in which the interpretation of stories affects people's behavior -- a system of supersitions, for example can be a living, contributing component of a given society's culture (General Anthropology, 2018).

2. Explain the function of belief systems in culture.

Culture can be described as a complex whole that includes customs, law, morals, art, belief, knowledge and other habits and capabilities acquired by human as a member of a society. The belief systems are essential in culture as they help in describing the manner in which people dress, how they conduct their chores, how they greet one another and how they worship their gods. For instance, the actions performed in a ritual are actions that are learned from someone else through belief systems perhaps a priest or a parent, and thus, they are passed down from one generation to another. Belief systems can change considering that learned behavioral patterns can also change very quickly in line with the changing conditions. Belief systems also provide symbols, which are shared understating about the meaning of specific objects, attributes and words. It thus allows human to learn about culture. For instance, language can be taken as a string of symbols and we can learn to communicate and even think using symbols. Consequently, symbols are an essential area of discussion for the study of religion. Christian cross for instance, acts a symbol for religion and as a history and philosophy (Stein & Stein, 2017).

3. Compare and contrast the components (supernaturals, practitioners, interaction with supernatural) of different belief systems.

The term supernaturals describe the things that are above the natural. In supernatural world, wondrous things take place considering that the Supernatural beings defy the basic law of nature. This is because in the supernatural world, creatures can become invisible, heavy objects can fly and move faster than light as well. It is important to note that not all supernatural phenomena are religious and with that in mind, it is vital to add the term sacred to the definition of supernatural in line with religion.  On the other hand, practitioners are described as full-time specialist deriving their income mainly undertaking religious rituals. Such people may derive their income via payment for services by people whom they have assisted or from the support of the community. In terms of interaction with the supernatural, it is important to note that religion is a system of behavior and beliefs dealing with the relationship between the sacred supernatural and humans. In interacting with the supernatural world, a person might develop experiences that transcend the normal experiences including hallucination and trance. These religious encounters are usually considered subjective as they manifest themselves on a psychological and emotional level, which ranges from anxiety and fear to an overall feeling of well-being as well as to a profound encounter in which an individual feels an association with a supernatural entity or power including a god or a spirit.

4. Explain the function of "rites of passage" and provide an example

Rite of passage is a type of ideological ritual. It imprints the change in an individual’s social status on the minds of those who are participating and grant community approval or legitimate for the change (Stein & Stein, 2017). It means that rites of passage takes place when individuals changes their status in the society such as, attaining a political office and becoming an adult alters their social relationship with the other members of the society. Such alterations may call for them to behave towards certain individuals in a new manner, dress in a new way and speak differently. A rite of passage can take place when members of an age set move together through various age grades, which is a specific status defined by age including elder or warrior (Stein & Stein, 2017). A group or an individual will thus move such as an age set may move through a series of age grade during their life meaning that the distinction in this case is complex than just a transition from childhood to adulthood and the rite of passage normally mark the entrance of every age grade.

5. Define sacrifice and provide an anthropological example of sacrifice

Sacrifice can be viewed as economic exchange, bribes or gifts instituted to influence the supernatural. Sacrifice entails the shedding of blood by killing an animal. In return, the supernatural will reciprocate with economic success, healing and rain. In the majority of the societies, reciprocity plays an essential role in social relationship. Vital social occurrences including marriages are normally celebrated with fasting and gift giving. In such societies, this kind of habit is normally projected into the supernatural world in which mutually advantageous and harmonious is expressed in line with mutual reciprocity between gods and humans (Stein & Stein, 2017).  For instance, the Aztec society decided to conduct human sacrifice to avoid the ending of the life of the Sun. The ritual which were known as in ixiptla in teteo or deity impersonator involved the transformation of human into gods by ritual bathing and involved a broad range of techniques including, shooting them with arrows, drowning, decapitation and throwing them from heights. 

Outline; Magic, Folklore, and Healing

1. Using an anthropological lens, explain what a belief system is.
2. Explain the function of belief systems in culture.
3. Compare and contrast the components (supernaturals, practitioners, interaction with supernatural) of different belief systems.
4. Explain the function of "rites of passage" and provide an example.
5. Define sacrifice and provide an anthropological example of sacrifice.