Final answer:
The correct answer is C) Mana is a supernatural force or power often associated with objects or individuals. Mana is central to many religious beliefs across the world, representing an abstract and sacred force, and it is not exclusive to any single culture or confined to the physical realm.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement about the nature of mana or belief in mana is C) Mana is a supernatural force or power often associated with objects or individuals. Mana is not a physical substance that can be extracted (ruling out A), nor is it exclusive to one particular culture (ruling out B), and it is not a term from the field of physics (ruling out D).
Mana is an abstract force common to many religious traditions worldwide. It can adhere temporarily to both people and objects, imbuing them with a sense of sacredness or power. In the traditions of the Maori of New Zealand, for example, certain locations or behaviors can accumulate mana, enhancing a person's influence or success. Magical artifacts, prayers, and supernatural powers connect deeply with the human act of faith across various cultures.
While first identified in Polynesia among the Maori, the concept has been broadly adopted by anthropologists to describe similar phenomena in different cultural and religious contexts. This generalization highlights how widespread the belief in such supernatural forces is, transcending boundaries and indicating a common aspect of human spirituality.