Superstion and Religion

[thaiboxerken]

su⋅per⋅sti⋅tion

 http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/speaker.gif (http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/S11/S1140400) /ˌsuhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngpərˈstɪʃhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngən/ http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.html) Show Spelled Pronunciation [soo-per-stish-uhhttp://cache.lexico.com/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngn] http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html) Show IPA –noun 1. a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like. 2. a system or collection of such beliefs. 3. a custom or act based on such a belief. 4. irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, esp. in connection with religion. 5. any blindly accepted belief or notion.


It was presented to me in another thread that religion is not superstition. However, according to these definitions, it appears to me that religion most certainly is. Also, presented to me, was the idea that if a claim in unfalsifiable, then it cannot be superstition. I didn't see anything about falsifiability in the definitions above.

I can't seem to think of any falsifiable superstitious claims. Anyone? Bueller?

[Piscivore]

I can't seem to think of any falsifiable superstitious claims. Anyone? Bueller?

"Step on a crack, break your mother's back"

"Granny's knee is acting up, that means it's going to rain"

"If the pendulum swings in a circle, it's a girl"

"Say "Bloody Mary" three times into a mirror at midnight and she'll appear"

Seems to me some superstitious beliefs are easily falsifiable.

[I Ratant]

Religions are applied, codified superstitions.

[thaiboxerken]

"Step on a crack, break your mother's back"

"Granny's knee is acting up, that means it's going to rain"

"If the pendulum swings in a circle, it's a girl"

"Say "Bloody Mary" three times into a mirror at midnight and she'll appear"

Seems to me some superstitious beliefs are easily falsifiable.

I was hoping to talk about superstitions that people actually believe. The pendulum may be the only one that qualifies here, but yea, I guess I just don't pay enough attention to superstitions.

Here is the question, though, is falsifiability necessary for a belief to be considered a superstition?

[Gord_in_Toronto]

A superstition is what the silly heathens have -- those that have not received the One True Revelation. Like I have. :duck:

[Piscivore]

I was hoping to talk about superstitions that people actually believe.
Those are all things that people actually belived, at one time, I'm pretty sure.

The pendulum may be the only one that qualifies here, but yea, I guess I just don't pay enough attention to superstitions.

Here is the question, though, is falsifiability necessary for a belief to be considered a superstition?

I think falsifiability is irrelevant as far as superstitions go. As your definition states: "a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing".

If I chant "seven-seven-seven" at a slot machine to influence it to give me a jackpot, that's superstitious behaviour, and falsifiable.

If I throw spilled salt over my shoulder to ward off bad luck, that's superstitious behaviour, and isn't falsifiable.

[maddog]

On the other hand, if I don't walk under a ladder, and nothing falls from the ladder and lands on me, then the superstition is falsifiable, but is instead verified. N'est-ce pas?

[Safe-Keeper]

Religion itself may not be superstition, but many of its aspects follow the same logic:

"If I watch a shooting star and make a wish, the wish will come true".
"If I kneel, fold my hands, and make a wish, the wish will come true".

Funny thing is people easily recognize this superstition when it's others doing it, but when it's their own religion they suddenly believe it without problem.

"We did a rain dance and it started to rain! Thank the Gods!"
"I prayed to God for rain and it started raining. Amen!"
"I burned incense for my jug of milk and wished for $100 and got a raise the next day! Hallelujah!"

My elementary school teacher firmly believed in God, and when we learned about Native American she said they'd do rain dances, and sooner or later it'd start raining and they'd attribute it to their gods. Thinking back... why couldn't she see this was exactly the same logic Christians made use of when praying?