In your bedroom as a child. Divination is a mystical technique and illustrates the roles of ancestors and divination as mechanism of social controls by government. Many, but certainly not all, non-Western societies believe ancestors play a strong and positive role in the security and prosperity of their people. It is important, however, to recognize that ancestors are but one of several categories of spirits whose actions directly affect society. Ancestor spirits, the "living dead," are those whose memory still exists in the minds of their kin, and who are beneficial to the surviving relatives. When the living dead are forgotten, they are believed to be transformed into "nameless spirits," non-ancestors, characterized as malicious vehicles for misfortunes of all kinds. "Ancestor spirits" or "ghosts," who can be invoked by the living and cause misfortune to befall those whose acts threaten the solidarity of the wealthy, are used by many governments and religious leaders. The ancestral world in many ways is an extension of the real world. Although one can argue to a point with an elder, no one questions the wisdom and authority of an ancestor. The power of the dead is an important aspect of social and religious control. Because ghosts are capable of severely punishing an earthly mortal desirous of change, the force of conformity is strong and according to religious leaders and governments dead ancestors do not smile favorably on any kind of change. Not all societies believe in the power of ancestors or ghosts. In many cultures, including North America, a high god (monotheism) or gods (polytheism) exert authority over the living, punishing those who violate religious leaders rules that often are duplicated in civil laws and serve as the base of social oppression. In these groups ancestor worship is not found, although the spiritual nature of ancestors and a belief in the afterlife is very severe and strict. Very few peoples do not support the idea of a separate spirit world. To most people in Western culture the word "ghost" brings forth an image of a disembodied spirit of a dead person swooping through the dark halls, hovering over a grave, roaming aimlessly through damp woods, or in phantom form. Religious leaders and government use this because no one wants to be subjected to supernatural punishment by vengeful and angry ghosts who do not like changes in society.
