How do superstitions affect your lives?

Answer 1

It really depends on what you mean by superstition; for example, many atheists and agnostics would call religion a superstition. Clearly, religion affects people's lives, but religious believers don't class their belief as a superstition. There is also a fine line between superstition and mistaken beliefs; for example, gamblers often have a belief in a "lucky streak" or being "on a roll". Statistically, it's well known that previous success in games of chance doesn't make future success more or less likely. Whether you call "lucky streaks" as a superstition is difficult to say. More conventionally, in the west, people touch wood or knock wood to stop bad luck, throw salt over their shoulder if salt is spilt, avoid walking under ladders (although there is some sense in that if someone is painting up the ladder!)

Answer 2

A:

There is a fine line between religion and superstition. Religion is generally considered to include beliefs that are plausible, whereas superstitious beliefs are more extreme or irrational. However, religions, over the centuries tend to accumulate superstitions that seem consistent with the substantial beliefs on which the religion is based. Thus, we might find beliefs in apparitions that can perform miracles, or in bleeding statues, both of which would normally be regarded as mere superstitions, were they not associated with a religion. In this way, superstition has a serious influence on the lives of many millions, even today.

Other superstitions involve beliefs such as that good or bad luck come from numbers, walking under ladders or breaking mirrors. These are harmless and usually not taken seriously even by those who place store in them.

Answer 3

A superstitious person is one who is selfish which lead to lack of self-confidence which lead to fear. A selfish person often think of oneself's first; a lack of confidence make one depend on external power/circumstance instead of using the power within; a person in fear is a person without Love within. A person without Love is a person without foundation; it will just collapse like a pack of card. To get rid of superstition, remember to live NOW - let go of the past; they were just lessons to be learn, let go of the future - 'nothing arise without a cause'; accept them as they come. Energise the Nowness; be mindful of your thoughts, words and deeds - for tomorrow is the result of today and yesterday is the cause of today.

Another view:

Superstitions can have a negative or positive effect, depending on what is believed and how it is handled. For example, many people who suffer from OCD may hold superstitions that negatively impact their lives, such as the belief that if they step on a crack, something bad will happen to themselves or loved ones. Other people hold to superstitions such as wearing a necklace with a token of good luck on it that gives them more confidence to face the world. This type of superstition is harmless and actually can boost the person's self-confidence.

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Sound rather contradicting that superstition can boost self confidence. If you are confident who need to rely on superstition to progress effctively. Self confidence is dented because of fear and fear is the main cause of superstition.