Superstition

by hippikon 3 Replies latest jw friends

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  hippikon

  Religion is superstition evolved.

  That was an original thought (I think).
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  joelbear

  I believe superstition and religion are the same thing. Anything that looks for supernatural answers to the cause and effects of reality is superstition.

  I do believe that the need for superstition is an evolved trait that is stronger in some than others.

  hugs

  Joel
• 

  Gopher

  My favorite definition of superstition: "When you believe in things you don't understand". This hit song from 1972 had an eerily accurate insight into people's superstitions. Thought you might like to hear those lyrics again (or if you're younger, for the first time).

  SUPERSTITION
  Stevie Wonder
  - from the album "Talking Book"

  Very superstitious, writing's on the wall
  Very superstitious, ladders bout' to fall
  Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
  Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past

  When you believe in things that you don't understand
  Then you suffer
  Superstition ain't the way

  Very superstitious, wash your face and hands
  Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
  Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
  You don't wanna save me, sad is my song

  When you believe in things that you don't understand
  Then you suffer
  Superstition ain't the way, yeh, yeh

  Very superstitious, nothin' more to say
  Very superstitious, the devil's on his way
  Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
  Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past

  When you believe in things that you don't understand
  Then you suffer
  Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no

  GOPHER
• 

  larc

  I agree with Gopher's comment and quotes. I think superstition, however, is a perjoritive term. I is easy for us to look at primitive cultures and call them superstitious. I think a better term is: "theory in the absence of information". All cultures have asked questions about our origins and the nature of our world. This has led to a diversity of religions to try to explain this things. In recent history, science has greatly increased our knowledge. This has caused the area of the unknown to become much smaller and signiicantly narrowed the base of operation for religion.