Lisa Shea Forums General Discussion Religious Research Superstitions

We all have our superstitions.
Some are more popular and accepted than others.
Some are cloaked in mysticism and supernatural events.
Some are firmly believed by their adherents.
Some have profound texts associated with them.
Some seem far fetched to those who don't participate in them.
Some have a long history.

But to me, they are all superstitions, equally valid, equally faulty.

What I always find amazing is the people who have to continue a behavior, or eat the same food before a sporting event because that is what they did to win last time.

Really .....??? food causes winning!

Key word I see in my buddy's post is "all." We all have superstitions. I think when a person can own up to this, and not seek to impose that on others, it can be part of what makes that person who he or she is.

Equally valid, equally faulty. That is, to others. One's own mysticism and what one perceives as a supernatural experience can seem pretty real. And, for all we know, actually real.

Other than wanting everyone to believe the same, I think the worst thing is to assume that everyone else is wrong, and only you (and those you think believe the same - which is probably quite untrue) are right. That seems so elitist and hateful to me.

My superstition is one of a great many. I don't get riches or fame or success from following it. For that matter, I don't really "follow" it. For me, it's more a way of living. I try to enjoy life, while encouraging others and being real. I have experienced supernatural events, but they taught me that we're all connected.

What I get is a feeling of comfort with who I am.

Yes indeed Mr. Carl! To others our personal superstitions are faulty, but to ourselves they are very valid. And The Truth.

But we need to start recognizing that our superstitions are true to us, and not necessarily true to everyone else.

Yes, I agree with both of you

I would need to wonder where most people limit the term of "superstition" whether it be simply be wearing the same shoes back home that you left home with, eating hog jowl and blood pudding each new years day or not crossing in the path of a black cat all the way up to entire religions.

I do understand mbas' view on the subject however for the general purposes of this conversation?

In my opinion, Mongrel, the point is about limiting the term. People tend to cling to ways that seem right to them. To them, if even questioned, it would seem right. To others, maybe normal, but maybe seeming idiosyncratic. Live and let live, but harm none.

to me superstitions are a form of intellectual laziness. whether you are talking about the irrational belief that hanging up crystals in your windows will 'cleanse your energies', rearranging your furniture will somehow improve your spiritual wellbeing, talking to an imaginary friend will somehow provide you with guidance, or voting in elections will somehow involve the populus in the political process, these are all beliefs which in my opinion any rational being can expose as baseless and futile, but many people find it easier to adhere to these beliefs than to admit that in terms of the universe they are alone in their ability or inability to captain their destiny.

controlling your destiny and realising that this often cannot be done is a very daunting concept, and comfort blanket myths like feng shui, crystal magic, religion and democracy are there to shield people from the inevitable harsh truths of the world, which is that humanity is alone, there is no higher power, and there are no magical solutions to any of our problems. personally i think these comfort blankets are a hindrance in our advancement and ability to find real solutions to real problems. if you want to improve the world, step one has to be putting your feet on the ground.

Democracy = Superstition

as far as i can see democracy ain't any more real than any other smokescreen.