MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > One question that has always intrigued ...

One question that has always intrigued me ...


... is what happens to demonic beings when immigrants move from their homelands. Irish-Americans remember the fairies, Norwegian-Americans the nisser, Greek-Americans the vrykólakas, but only in relation to events remembered in the Old Country. When I once asked why such demons are not seen in America, my informants giggled confusedly and said “They’re scared to pass the ocean, it’s too far,” pointing out that Christ and the apostles never came to America.

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Fairies and the like did migrate across the ocean but because they were so closely associated with the culture and geography of the Old World, they seldom successfully assimilated.

Homework? Very random, this.

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You missed the punchline - the reason why i posted this

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Christ's teachings are cool as are Allah's... it's how humans have perverted it to serve their own selfish agendas that's the problem.

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Not here to start an argument.

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They are way cooler. I read the quran at University. Christ was a feminist, mohamned married a nine yr old.

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No no no. The faeries live in The Emerald Forest in Ireland. It's magical like the book of Kells. They don't leave because there is no magic in America.

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American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Epigraph

One question that has always intrigued me is what happens to demonic beings when immigrants move from their homelands. Irish-Americans remember the fairies, Norwegian-Americans the nisser, Greek-Americans the vrykólakas, but only in relation to events remembered in the Old Country. When I once asked why such demons are not seen in America, my informants giggled confusedly and said “They’re scared to pass the ocean, it’s too far,” pointing out that Christ and the apostles never came to America.

—Richard Dorson, “A Theory for American Folklore,”

American Folklore and the Historian

(University of Chicago Press, 1971)

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Because they don't exist? Otherwise, what Sentient Meat said.

Plus, running water (I think the ocean qualifies) is sometimes seen as a natural barrier that malevolent beings can't cross. So it makes sense within that context that they'd be too scared to cross the ocean.

Aren't vampires a thing in the US? Those have jumped the cultural barrier to a certain extent, thanks to Bram Stoker and Hollywood. Not in their original cultural context of course.

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Yeah I don't get what the OP is asking... Haven't seen American Gods yet, but he seems to be comparing folklore to religion.
I'm not religious, so it doesn't personally offend me... but I also never see the use of making fun of beliefs that brings many comfort. Yes, I get that religion has been the source of many wars and suffering... but it also probably stopped a lot of people from it as well. Superstition... definitely bad... but so might be bursting the illusions that keeps half the world in check.

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It's an interesting question. Religion and superstition/folklore are different things, though (even if often the two are intertwined). And superstitions/folklore are much more persistent than religion. But they're also deeply rooted in a particular culture. So you'd think that when people, the carriers of culture, move somewhere, those superstitions would go with them and take root there. But it's like adding a drop of ink to water. While religion, which is much more universal over different cultures, wouldn't get lost in a migration. That's how I view things at least, but I'm no scientist.

As for religion being the sourse of wars and conflict. It's the widest spread ideology system, so it makes sense that it'd have the biggest track record. That's why we should have separation of church and state, and things that affect the population as a whole shouldn't be guided by what just parts of the population believe. But no need being rude about it. And yeah, superstition is worse.

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I get why many are openly hostile about it... a lot came from families or communities where rules were enforced... perhaps people were ostracized, shunned or worse if they didn't follow the rules. But many people are also comforted and inspired to do kind things because of it. But as I don't like it when people try to force religion upon me... I also don't like those who ridicule it either.

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Because they don't exist?

You win the Kewpie Doll 😉😉😉😉

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Most people emigrate out of necessity, to improve/save their lives. Whereas everyone knows leprechauns and such are perfectly happy where they are, and have all they need.

Frankly, you are tempting fate by questioning their ways,
.

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Lol! Everyone knows they live in "the Emerald Forest"!

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According to my time with my Irish grandmother they turn into good little elves. I asked what these paint marks were on the window sill and she told me that Rainbow, Happiness and Sunshine, three little elves had left their footprints behind after they came to visit me:)

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Mormons believe Jesus made the trip over.

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It is the salt in the water. I have watched series like A Haunting, Paranormal Witness, and Ghost Adventures. One common theme in all of those is how spirits, in general, do not cross salt.

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Imaginary creatures can follow you anywhere you go since they only exist in your mind.

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😉😉😉😉

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I believe the OP is trying to drum up interest in the book/TV series American Gods. When I read the topic post, I was going to tell him/her that this Neil Gaimen story examines the very points that interest him/her; but then s/he specifically spoke to that point. I think the OP is more interested in getting you to watch the show than in what you think metaphysically.

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Probably should have put that edited post as the original I guess 😂😂

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Don't tempt the faeries.

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