SUPERSTITIONS
A superstition is defined as “the
belief that particular events happen in a way that cannot be explained by
reason or science.”
This word is also used to mean that particular
events bring good or bad luck.
We daily come across people who
believe that such and such days in a week are lucky; if somebody sneezes while
you are going to do some important piece of work, it will not produce the
result that is expected; number 13 is unlucky; if a cat crosses your way, it
means bad luck.
Scientific temper is still not
wide-spread. Idol worship has not vanished. Success is still regarded as the
fruit of good luck. Hard work is not fully regarded as productive of
proportionately good results. God is considered as the real doer; you are only
an agent.
According to another interpretation superstition
is regarded as a belief or practice that is not based on reason or scientific
evidence. “It often involves the idea that certain unrelated actions or events
bring good or bad luck, or that magic and supernatural forces influence the future.”
It is a common phenomenon that many
people consult astrologers for lucky days or time to do something auspicious significant.
Some people wear particular types of
rings for good luck.
Some astrologers calculate lucky days
or time according to your date and time of birth.
Science doest no support such irrational
beliefs.
Given below are some popular quotes
on superstitions.
*By
superstitions I mean all hypocritical arts of appeasing God and procuring his
favour without obeying his laws, or reforming our sins; infinite such
superstitions have been invented by heathens, by Jews, by Christians
themselves, especially by the Church of Rome, which abounds with them.----English bishop Thomas Sherlock (1678—1761).
*The
greatest burden in the world is superstition, not only of ceremonies in the
church, but imaginary and scarecrow sins at home,---The English poet John Milton (1608-1674).
*Superstition
renders a man a fool, and skepticism makes him mad.---Henry Fielding, English novelist (1707-1754).
*Superstition
is the poetry of life. It is inherent in man’s nature; and when we think it is
wholly eradicated, it takes refuge in the strangest holes and corners, whence
it peeps out all at once, as soon as it can do with safety. ---German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832).
*Liberal
minds are open to conviction. Liberal doctrines are capable of improvement.
There are proselytes from atheism; but none from superstition. ---Junius, pseudonym of an unknown political
writer in England who wrote during 1769-1772.
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PUNCHLINE:” As we sow, so shall we reap” is not a
superstition.
*******
G.R.Kanwal
13 July 2026
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