Superstition

CROSS CULTURE UNDERSTANDING

FINAL PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

About:

BELIEVE IN SUPERSTITION

By:

Muhammad Ridha Waliden

(13 104 040)

Lecturer:

Suyono, S. Pd., M. A., (TESOL)

ENGLISH TEACHING DEPARTMENT TARBIYAH FACULTY

STATE ISLAMIC INSTITUTE BATUSANGKAR

2016

SUPERSTITION

A.    Definition

Superstition is the belief in supernatural causality—that one event causes another without any natural process linking the two events—such as astrology and certain aspects linked to religion, like omens, witchcraft, and prophecies, that contradict natural science. Superstitions primarily represent the underlying inherent fear of mankind, caused by the uncertainties of this world. In a way, it is a sign of acceptance of our ignorance and limitations of our power. The word superstition is generally used to refer to the religion not practiced by the majority of a given society – such as Christianity in Western culture – regardless of whether the prevailing religion contains superstitions.^[1] It is also commonly applied to beliefs and practices surrounding luck, prophecy, and certain spiritual beings, particularly the belief that future events can be foretold by specific (apparently) unrelated prior events.[1] In another way, it is a sign of accepting the grandness of this universe and its scheme of operation, which is still largely beyond our comprehension and understanding.[2]

Don Saucier, the associate professor of psychology, said superstitions are behaviors that people perform in an attempt to affect or control their future. Superstitious behaviors are a way people think they can control their fate by performing certain tasks in a certain way to either help alleviate anxiety or to simply better their chances in a certain situation.[3]

According to a Kansas State University professor, superstition is the behaviors that can all be linked to a strong belief that has been embedded in human history.[4] Rick Nauert Ph.D, the researchers from Kansas State University, discovered people who believe that fate and chance control their lives are more likely to be superstitious. But when faced with death, they are likely to abandon superstition altogether.[5]

B.     Reasons

There are some reasons why people believe in superstition:[6]

1.      Superstitions, Ignorance & Fear of the Unknown

Humans, when unable to rule out a theory, how so ever irrational it might appear, prefer to take the safer route and make sure that do not do something which can later lead to some adversity, harm or injury. This is why most superstitions are associated with a fear of some harm that may befall the person if he or she does or fails to do a particular thing.

Those who know, and know that they know are always less likely to be superstitious about the things they do know. This does not mean that all learned or educated people are absolutely free of superstition. In fact, the more you learn about this universe and its systems and events, the more comes the realization of our own ignorance. This ignorance is what makes us believe in many supernatural phenomenon, god and religion included. The same ignorance, and the very awareness of this ignorance also makes one believe in superstition.

2.      Superstitions & Past Experiences or Anecdotes

Many a time, we know that a particular belief is superstitious, irrational and hence illogical, yet we hesitate to go against it, because of some past experience, our own or that of others, which tells us that there may be something in it. In such cases, especially if going with the superstition does not entail a significant cost, we may prefer to go with it rather than against it. For example, millions of people travel and do business on 13th of any and every month, but if my business partner has a superstition that a deal on 13th will end in losses, why not plan it on 12th or 14th, instead of raising his anxiety and discomfort ! And who knows... if something did happen.....

Superstitions are occasionally reinforced by random occurrences. For example, if someday I am unable to avoid the 13th, and the deal does end in a loss, my partner's superstition will be strongly reinforced, even if ten other deals in the same way had also resulted in losses because the market is in recession. On the other hand, if a deal done on 13th become highly successful, it is possible that my partner also comes to realize that superstition is just superstition and nothing more.

3.      Individuals use superstitions to gain control over uncertainty

4.      to decrease feelings of helplessness

5.      it is easier to rely on superstition instead of coping strategies.

There are many reasons of superstitions. Many of them are age-old and inherited as part of our cultural heritage. These are changing fast with time, and their death has been hastened by mixing of cultures, modern scientific education, urbanization and changing life styles. On the other hand, superstitions that have a basis in our own experiences and psyche are growing and will be more difficult to remove.

C.    Examples and experiences

I have enclosed this paper with a few experiences of some people that I got in social media about superstition.[7] They are:

1.      From Michael Policarpo on February 1, 2010 at 22:29

“Well, I don't think superstitions can make a huge impact to our lives.. maybe for those who believe deeply in it, because it's suppose to them to change a entire situation because of something they believe..

Despite I don't consider myself superstitious, I don't like going under a ladder..

Of course it changes a lot among cultures, religion and each person. But this kind of thing brings a taste to our lives and schedule. I don't worry about cats and mirros, but I guess I have other things to think over, not for fear but for a custom..”

2.      From Tosin Simpson on February 2, 2010 at 9:32

“I DO NOT believe in superstition because it has no place in my religion and faith. It does not exist in the Bible. If you dwell too much on it, it can ruin your life completely and have a negative impact on you which is not too good. It create fears in you and if care is not taken, even when you see insects in your house you will start reading meanings into their presence.God have not given us the spirit of fear but of power , love and a sound mind! Shallom!”

3.      From Tanya on February 3, 2010 at 17:16

“Well, I believe that modern people shouldn't believe in any superstitions. I don't. I have a black cat and she is my favorite one. How can cats or mirrors make our lives worse? It is we who are the masters of our lives. I will not speak about religion because I don't want to insult those who have faith. But it is the same.”

4.      From me my self, I do not believe in superstition, neither good nor bad, but I think some superstitions are good for people, some are bad. That's better if those people who believe would choose the good one.

D.    Conclusion

So, after I have explained for my material about superstition, I can conclude that almost superstitions are not good to be believed in. For avoiding them, I have some sugestions. They are:

1. Do not believe in bad luck and take some ownership over what control you do have in situations. Sometimes we use bad luck to let ourselves off the hook, Saucier said, but we should instead focus on what we can do to avoid difficult situations in the first place.
2. Be decisive and proactive. People who are less decisive believe in superstition more, Saucier said, and those who are proactive are less superstitious.
3. Do not be in a situation where you have to rely on bad luck.
4. Bad luck would never occur if only good things happened. If something bad happens and you call it bad luck, do it as a coping mechanism after the fact rather than before the event

REFERENCES

 

DO YOU BELIEVE IN SUPERSTITION  - MyEnglishClub.htm

Psychology-professor-says-superstitions-all-about-trying-to-control-fate.htm

Reasons Why People Believe In Superstitions.htm

Scientific View of Superstitious Behavior _ Psych Central News.htm.

Superstition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.htm.

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[1] Superstition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.htm.

[2] Reasons Why People Believe In Superstitions.htm

[3] psychology-professor-says-superstitions-all-about-trying-to-control-fate.htm

[4] Ibid.

[5] Scientific View of Superstitious Behavior _ Psych Central News.htm.

[6] Op. Cit. Reasons Why People Believe In Superstitions.htm

[7] DO YOU BELIEVE IN SUPERSTITION  - MyEnglishClub.htm