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The concept of superstition

Remté

Active Member
In Islam all superstitions are strictly forbitten.

But it is very difficult for the human mind to be absolutely devoid of superstitions.

Looked from the point of view of an atheist, even atheist who swears there is no God has superstitions on some level.

Can one draw a clear line between faith in God and superstition?

Does your religion condemn superstitions? Feel free to quote scriptures.
 

paarsurrey

Veteran Member
In Islam all superstitions are strictly forbitten.

But it is very difficult for the human mind to be absolutely devoid of superstitions.

Looked from the point of view of an atheist, even atheist who swears there is no God has superstitions on some level.

Can one draw a clear line between faith in God and superstition?

Does your religion condemn superstitions? Feel free to quote scriptures.
"Looked from the point of view of an atheist, even atheist who swears there is no God has superstitions on some level."

Isn't "there is no God" also a superstition, please?

Regards
 
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Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
There is no clear line regarding superstition. Sometimes there is an inner meaning that isn't all that apparent. So my problem is just who gets to define what is or isn't a superstition. For example, many cultures remove shoes to enter a house of worship. Is that a superstition?

I would be against any custom that is obviously harmful, like genital mutilation.
 

Stevicus

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
My thoughts on superstition are summed up in the following comic:

latest
 

Remté

Active Member
"Looked from the point of view of an atheist, even atheist who swears there is no God has superstitions on some level."

Isn't "there is no God" also a superstition, please?

Regards
Not with the general definition of it;

"a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition 2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary
" source: Merriam-Webster
 

Remté

Active Member
There is no clear line regarding superstition. Sometimes there is an inner meaning that isn't all that apparent. So my problem is just who gets to define what is or isn't a superstition. For example, many cultures remove shoes to enter a house of worship. Is that a superstition?
No. That's just respect.
 

paarsurrey

Veteran Member
Vinayaka said:
There is no clear line regarding superstition. Sometimes there is an inner meaning that isn't all that apparent. So my problem is just who gets to define what is or isn't a superstition. For example, many cultures remove shoes to enter a house of worship. Is that a superstition?
No. That's just respect.

I believe this measure was adopted so that the worship place does not become dirty.

Regards
 

Polymath257

Think & Care
Staff member
Premium Member
If one or a few people do something, it is a superstition. If many people do it, it is a religious ritual.

Belief in a deity is a type of superstition similar in many ways to belief in gnomes or unicorns. There is just as much evidence for them all as far as I can see.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
No. That's just respect.
I agree. It was just an example. But I think if we all put our minds together, we could list at least 100 customs or beliefs religious or otherwise that at least some people would label superstitious. For me personally, I leave it up to the individuals themselves to determine what is or isn't superstitious. In other words, although I'm personally a strong theist, if someone else wants to believe that the belief in God is a silly superstition, them I leave it at that.

I simply can't see people all agreeing.

In Hinduism we use stone or metal statues, believing that they can hold or move certain divine energies in the same way copper conducts electricity. For us, it's no superstition. But for others, it's not only superstitious, but also evil ... so much so that they have destroyed thousands of such statues, based on their belief.
 

Willamena

Just me
Premium Member
"Looked from the point of view of an atheist, even atheist who swears there is no God has superstitions on some level."

Isn't "there is no God" also a superstition, please?

Regards
How? What does 'superstition' mean to you that this would make sense to you?
 

paarsurrey

Veteran Member
paarsurrey said:
"Looked from the point of view of an atheist, even atheist who swears there is no Godhas superstitions on some level."

Isn't "there is no God" also a superstition, please?
How? What does 'superstition' mean to you that this would make sense to you?

The Atheism people have no positive facts to prove that "there is no God".
Do they, please?
Regards
 

Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
If one or a few people do something, it is a superstition. If many people do it, it is a religious ritual.

Belief in a deity is a type of superstition similar in many ways to belief in gnomes or unicorns. There is just as much evidence for them all as far as I can see.

I love the arrogance of atheists.....

It is almost you denying my experiences as if what I experience even if I'm alert and oriented is somehow still a delusion. So what I want to know that since I'm neither on drugs, with a college background strong sense of the mind I want you to prove that my experience of God is deluded. I want to know what I experienced as a small child metaphysically was delusional and synonymous with Santa Claus?
 

Polymath257

Think & Care
Staff member
Premium Member
paarsurrey said:
"Looked from the point of view of an atheist, even atheist who swears there is no Godhas superstitions on some level."

Isn't "there is no God" also a superstition, please?


The Atheism people have no positive facts to prove that "there is no God".
Do they, please?
Regards

But the burden of proof is on the one making the positive existence statement. Is there any positive fact showing there is a God? If not then why believe in one?
 

Polymath257

Think & Care
Staff member
Premium Member
I love the arrogance of atheists.....

It is almost you denying my experiences as if what I experience even if I'm alert and oriented is somehow still a delusion. So what I want to know that since I'm neither on drugs, with a college background strong sense of the mind I want you to prove that my experience of God is deluded. I want to know what I experienced as a small child metaphysically was delusional and synonymous with Santa Claus?

First of all, I do NOT deny your experience. I *do* deny that you have properly interpreted that experience. The depth and perceived 'meaningfulness' of an experience does NOT mean your interpretation of it is valid. Many people have quite conflicting religious experiences. They cannot all be correct if they are to relate to something outside of the minds of those who experience them. I have also had 'religious experiences', but I acknowledge that they were not reliable sources of information.
 
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