Religion vs Superstition

Gangerolf · October 30, 2003, 20:54

Is there a difference?

Both spring out of a desire to provide meaning and coherence to otherwise random and chaotic events, don't they?

Take my late grandmother. We made fun of her when she talked about the "little people" who lived in the woods outside of her house. She even put out food to them to keep them content

But she also went to church every sunday and believed in virgins giving birth and this bearded guy who walked on the water. No one thought that to be silly.

So basically, it's society which decides what falls under the cathegory "religion" and what is considered "superstition":

Superstition - random, illogical beliefs held by some people.

Religion - organized set of superstitions believed by a large number of people, accepted by society.

???

Giancarlo · October 30, 2003, 20:57

Religion to me is the same thing as superstition... just pretty much irrelevant to my life.

Gangerolf · October 30, 2003, 20:58

I think a lot of stuff that once were considered religion are now considered superstition. And probably vice versa.

Dauphin · October 30, 2003, 21:21

Just as some myths and legends come from true stories, so do superstitions can come from truths or logic. For instance, I don't walk under a ladder if someone is up there, if they drop anything it will likely land on my head. I also recall an old 'superstition' that chewing willow bark would relieve pain, given that it has aspirin (or similar) that isn't so superstitious.

The Emperor Fabulous · October 30, 2003, 21:30

There is no worship involved in superstition

St Leo · October 30, 2003, 21:31

If your superstition has hired goons, it's a religion.

Lincoln · October 30, 2003, 21:52

I gues it's kind of like thinking that the laws of physics somehow formed themselves into life which decided to become a human being with all the associated support systems evolving along the way. Many rational people actually believe that.

Dauphin · October 30, 2003, 21:54

Sorry to nitpick but most people don't (or shouldn't) think that evolution decided to do anything.

Lincoln · October 30, 2003, 21:56

Yeah, I know. IT just did it. Kind of spooky isn't it?

St Leo · October 30, 2003, 22:09

In other news, a bunch of comets crashed into Jupiter in the 1990s while Halley's Comet didn't. IT JUST DECIDED NOT TO.

Ramo · October 30, 2003, 22:20

And the drying machine decided not to dry my clothes properly. That *******!

Now that's spooky.

Lincoln · October 30, 2003, 22:53

Probably one of the heating elements is out Ramo. Some of them have two and when one burns out everything seems to be working but not near as well. Anyway, if you tell me the problem maybe I can help you fix it.

molly bloom · October 30, 2003, 23:04

Religion= superstition + theory + money + a ruler/monarch. Add a priesthood, some nice buildings, tithes and place next to a rival ruler's domain. Watch crusade develop.

Next up - God -v- Allah, the grudge match.

Followed at three o'clock with the rematch of the century- Jehovah takes on Vishnu, while Thor and Loki get to grips with Ahriman and Baal, in a tag team special.

Urban Ranger · October 30, 2003, 23:06

I think it's Tom Wolfe who said "a cult is a religion without sufficient political clout," or something like that.

Dauphin · October 30, 2003, 23:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Lincoln
Yeah, I know. IT just did it. Kind of spooky isn't it?

Jesting aside, yes it is.

I am always a little freaked out when I consider why laws of physics are as they are. "They just are" shouldn't be a satisfactory answer to anyone, even though it is the only available answer. God of the Holes steps in well to answer it too of course. Here science can never touch it.

Guynemer · October 31, 2003, 00:06

Quote:

Originally posted by molly bloom
Followed at three o'clock with the rematch of the century- Jehovah takes on Vishnu, while Thor and Loki get to grips with Ahriman and Baal, in a tag team special.

But wait... what's this? Aphrodite is distracting the referee with her feminine wiles, and Set has taken the opportunity to leap into the ring and hit Thor over the head with a folding chair! This is a travesty of justice ladies and gentlemen!

Lorizael · October 31, 2003, 01:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Lincoln
I gues it's kind of like thinking that the laws of physics somehow formed themselves into life which decided to become a human being with all the associated support systems evolving along the way. Many rational people actually believe that.

It's funny, because I don't know a single rational person that thinks that. Most of the rational people I know subscribe to a theory called evolution that has absolutely nothing to do with humankind whatsoever.

Jon Miller · October 31, 2003, 01:38

religion!

creartion!!!!!!!!!

RAtiional people!!!!!!

evoltutionm1!!!!!!
Pjyus0ice
111111!
'
l;aws 1!!!!!!
peolple!!!!

Jon MI L:eer

molly bloom · October 31, 2003, 01:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Miller
religion!

creartion!!!!!!!!!

RAtiional people!!!!!!

evoltutionm1!!!!!!
Pjyus0ice
111111!
'
l;aws 1!!!!!!
peolple!!!!

Jon MI L:eer

And for the benefit of those of us not speaking keyboardus interruptus, that assemblage of punctuation marks, letters and numerals means....?

Az · October 31, 2003, 03:24

Quote:

Religion to me is the same thing as superstition

Nubclear · October 31, 2003, 05:31

I'm too tired to answer this.
Keep it bumped so I can read it again tomorrow. Then I'll respond.

Paddy · October 31, 2003, 06:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Gangerolf
Is there a difference?

Both spring out of a desire to provide meaning and coherence to otherwise random and chaotic events, don't they?

???

Back when I smoked, I would wake up every morning, pack a billie and smoke away.
I did this every morning, thus it became a Religious event with me.

As I smoked my billie, I would get get caught up into the stone, the things I would see, and thus experience can only be classified as Superstitous

Ben Kenobi · October 31, 2003, 21:23

Quote:

But she also went to church every sunday and believed in virgins giving birth and this bearded guy who walked on the water. No one thought that to be silly.

Perhaps because it's true? That's the difference between religion and superstition. Superstition is all in your head.

Ramo · October 31, 2003, 21:25

thanks for the offer Lincoln, but the appartment owner owns th e machines, thus not my problem.

Lincoln · October 31, 2003, 21:32

Well we can at least try to get your quarters back...

Ramo · October 31, 2003, 21:33

Quote:

And for the benefit of those of us not speaking keyboardus interruptus, that assemblage of punctuation marks, letters and numerals means....?

It all becomes clear if you drink some more.

Ramo · October 31, 2003, 21:36

Bah, 4 quarters cannot buy mind altering substances.

Berzerker · October 31, 2003, 21:44

Hey, leeches were used to cleanse the body of "bad" blood and it turns out leeches are effective against infections. Their "saliva" designed to keep blood flowing contains anti-biotics. So I suspect many "superstitions" had some basis in reality although some do seem incredulous.

Mythology is a fascinating subject... Consider the minotaur - half man, half horse (?) - did this originate as non-horse cultures first encountered mounted warriors? When the Inca first saw mounted conquistadors, they freaked out.

Sandman · October 31, 2003, 21:56

A cult is just a baby religion.

MrFun · October 31, 2003, 22:25

Superstition -- one example of that, is the belief that personal roadside memorials pose a safety hazard.