SLICES OF LIFE - Living with Superstition

“Superstition is the poison of a thinking mind.”

         In this world, dominated by endless uncertainty, and equally overwhelmed by interminable, conflicting ideas and beliefs, where ignorance, poor reasoning and lack of confidence are accepted, often without challenge, Superstition remains deeply embedded in people’s psyche, and often override logical and rational thinking. The above quotation, by an Unknown Author, gives credence to this observation and firmly confirms the poisonous effect that superstition exerts on the mind of a susceptible individual.

         Superstition is described as a belief or practice that is considered to be unnatural or supernatural, and intended to produce beneficial actions of thought, behavior, and results. It is a singularly human failing, and is always based on irrational or widely held beliefs, originating from a background of misunderstanding or ignorance of science or causality. They most often present as strong beliefs in such intangibles as fate, magic, and fear of the unknown, and favor such reasons as luck, magic and ritualistic behavior. The most potent ones are founded primarily on popular spiritual beliefs and interpretations, and deal with predicting the future. By their very nature, they tend to completely ignore and reject knowledge and reason as being not applicable, and show more trust on past experiences, and prevailing belief structures.

         The tendency to superstitious behavior is a recognized human response. It is a deeply embedded survival instinct in the human mind appearing especially in situations in which there is uncertainty or lack of confidence. Superstition does not take hold in any situation where confidence is high, and satisfaction and reward are present. However when confidence is lacking, especially where survival is involved, an instinctual search for some external source in triggered to provide reinforcement, and regain confidence. In such situations, people are more likely to turn to abnormal sources in the hope of reinforcing their insecurities, and increasing the chance of succeeding. The belief is that the external source will provide the extra ingredient needed, and that without this help, failure is inevitable. This action, once executed, will instill confidence in the person, especially if it is accompanied by rituals and designated activities and results occur. Once this has happened, they will then be encouraged to assign all their successes to the external force, and blame any failure to inappropriate or wrong beliefs.

The psychological processes associated with the expression of suspicious beliefs and behaviors are well documented and can be explained by the brain’s tendency to dual processing. Human beings use two separate streams of thought in finding solutions, one being slow, logical and rational, and the other, impulsive and instinctive. When faced with a problem, the individual can react impulsively and find any reason, however illogical, to escape, or alternatively, take the time for reason and logic to find the answer, and then respond in an appropriate manner. Often, the impulsive response will be recognized as an error, but they will choose to ignore any corrective action because of their false belief. Constant repetitions will inevitably become imprinted in the person’s habit pattern, and ultimately passed on from generation to generation.

Superstition and Faith are often assumed to be similar and to be associated in many ways. But this assumption is very far from the truth, since there are fundamental differences which render them completely unrelated. The former is always based on false belief and doctrine, irrational fears, ignorance and the use of external forces, rituals, and omens to ward off evil and to bring success. Faith, on the other hand, is always based on good sound and reasonable thought, established from confidence, and arrived at by understanding and logic. Genuine Faith readily coexists with correct reasoning and is never in conflict with good, sensible actions. Suspicion, on the other hand, based on irrational beliefs, could therefore not stand the test of knowledge, reasoning and logic. This difference was very clearly illustrated and demonstrated in a description by an Unknown Author when he noted:

“Superstition, if unchecked, can set the whole world aflame. But only Understanding and logic can provide the Faith to quench the fire.”

            Superstition thrives in the presence of anxiety, low esteem, lack of confidence, and fears of uncertainty, and its promise of predictable success. It provides comfort and security especially at such a low cost as repeating a word or action or belief. This indeed is why it has continued to grow in popularity despite all the obvious evidence pointing to its uselessness. Yet despite this, by far the great majority of these responses will do little or no harm to people, and in fact can and do play a reassuring role in their lives. But unfortunately, in far too many of these, especially among the most vulnerable cases, these actions become habits and ultimately develop into more serious, life-consuming repetitive thinking and activity. Many of these unfortunate people develop severe, debilitating psychiatric disorders such as phobias, obsessive-compulsive behavior, anxiety and depression.

         In the end, although superstitious thinking and actions are essentially irrational and unproductive in the great majority of instances, there are no easy or standard approaches available to correct them. The only truly effective remedy is by increasing knowledge and understanding and by discouraging the unfounded beliefs and prognostications. This will always be an uphill battle, not only because of natural human susceptibility, but also, as a result of the constant desire by many to control and to dominate. In this respect, the only real answer revolves around the individual and his needs for his living. As the following quotation from an Unknown Author so wisely advised:

“Live a good life for the good of it, and not out of fear of punishment, or promise of reward.”

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