Are Curses Real?

[Stevicus]

I was just doing some scanning of headlines, and saw that it was on this date in 1945 (October 6) that an owner of billy goat attending a Cubs game was ejected from the ballpark because his goat was emitting an offensive odor which bothered the fans. Angered, the owner of the goat said "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more."

Curse of the Billy Goat - Wikipedia

The exact nature of Sianis's curse differs in various accounts of the incident. Some state that he declared that no World Series games would ever again be played at Wrigley Field, while others believe that his ban was on the Cubs appearing in the World Series, making no mention of a specific venue. Sianis’s family claims that he dispatched a telegram to team owner Philip K. Wrigley which read, “You are going to lose this World Series and you are never going to win another World Series again. You are never going to win a World Series again because you insulted my goat.”[6][7]

Whatever the truth, the Cubs were up two games to one in the 1945 World Series, but ended up losing Game 4, as well as the best-of-seven series, four games to three. The curse was immortalized in newspaper columns over the years, particularly by syndicated columnist Mike Royko. The curse gained widespread attention during the 2003 postseason, when Fox television commentators played it up during the Cubs-Marlins matchup in the National League Championship Series (NLCS).[8]

Apparently, there have been numerous attempts to break the curse, including an incident of a butchered goat being hung on a statue of Harry Caray. And in 2008, they even called in a Greek Orthodox priest to try to lift the curse.

Is this just a joke, or do people actually believe this? Is there a scriptural or religious basis regarding the existence of curses?

Is it possible that, if someone believes they are cursed, they would sub-consciously try to lose?

What exactly is a curse anyway? How can someone just "curse" another?

It is kind of strange that the Cubs went so many years without a pennant or Series championship. On the other hand, the Yankees have had quite a number of World Championships, so does that mean they have some kind of secret "rabbit's foot" somewhere enshrined in a vault under Yankee Stadium?

 

[Notthedarkweb]

I think its just a post-facto justification for failure and such. Perhaps something like a "curse" does exist, (although I wouldn't wait for the academic study on it, since well, they probably don't exist.), but the easier explanation is psychological.

 

[SalixIncendium]

As I see it, a curse is as real as the mind makes it.

 

[Debater Slayer]

I believe that a "curse," which I would define as invocation or causing of harm upon another person or entity through non-physical means, is an unscientific and largely placebo concept.

Think of it this way: Let's say I came out on TV tomorrow, slaughtered an inflated goat doll in a fake ritual that I would then attribute to a global conspiracy, and told the whole world that they were cursed to not be millionaires. This is knowing that chances are the majority of the world's seven-billion people will indeed never become millionaires within their lifetime.

Now, while many would dismiss my claim of cursing them as mere baloney, it is quite possible at least a tiny subset could, due to the placebo and Forer effects as well as confirmation bias, believe the ritual actually affected them.

They would for any of various reasons overlook the fact that "cursing" someone isn't scientifically evidenced to cause them any harm. But since they already have a preconceived notion that curses exist, they could attribute undesirable events to the supposed curses and confirm their own bias and unfounded belief in this manner.

As far as I can see, this is why the scientific method--which is underpinned by replication of tests and falsifiability of assumptions, among other things--remains humanity's best shot at overriding our own biases and irrationality. Only through the rigor and precision of the scientific method can we avoid reaffirming superstitions like curses, the evil eye, etc., due to the myriad of logical fallacies and cognitive biases that human thinking sometimes falls for.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I believe that a "curse," which I would define as invocation or causing of harm upon another person or entity through non-physical means, is an unscientific and largely placebo concept.

Agree, although I think science is irrelevant to it. It doesn't take a test tube to debunk magic curses.

What exactly is a curse anyway? How can someone just "curse" another?

In western culture it arises from superstitions about usages in biblical canon, but close examination of those usages indicates to me that a curse is not a hex but an accusation or exposition of a person's faults. It is an interesting study topic for those who have read through the books of the bible.

Curses can be honest or dishonest. In the canon the ideal is to have one's faults overlooked. When biblical characters have a disagreement they will say "May the LORD judge you." or "May the LORD judge between you and I." Those are related to curses. The NT word 'Devil' translates as accuser or false accuser. It represents the perjurer who uses a court in a dishonest fashion. The term also means someone who curses. It is unchristian to curse another person. A christian should forgive others and cover their mistakes when it is possible and appropriate. They should not behave as devils.

Superstition has it that cursing means using magic to cause harm to someone. In a way an accusation has that effect, so it can be described that way in figures of speech. If I put something bad in a newspaper that alleges you are evil, then I have put a curse on you. That is not what people mean today when they say "You are accursed." We use the superstitious meaning in films and music and on Halloween. Its not something I'd take seriously.

 

[Erebus]

Is it possible that, if someone believes they are cursed, they would sub-consciously try to lose?

Possibly. More likely it will impact their confidence, help instill a defeatist attitude and ultimately contribute to them not competing at the level they're capable of. One of my favourite examples of magic at work is in regard to athletes who believe in lucky talismans. If they have their talisman, they tend to perform better than if they don't.

Even if you completely discount any possibility of some supernatural element, curses and blessings can genuinely impact a person's life by influencing their attitude and perception. Even without somebody actively doing something to let a person know they've been cursed, people can sometimes inadvertently curse themselves. A run of bad luck might make a believer wonder if they've been cursed* and so they start to notice everyday problems more frequently. That can quickly become a vicious circle that's very difficult to break.

*Not necessarily by another person. Feeling that you're just an unlucky person or that the world itself is against you is quite common. A cursed life rather than a life that has been cursed if you follow.

 

[calm]

I was just doing some scanning of headlines, and saw that it was on this date in 1945 (October 6) that an owner of billy goat attending a Cubs game was ejected from the ballpark because his goat was emitting an offensive odor which bothered the fans. Angered, the owner of the goat said "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more."

Curse of the Billy Goat - Wikipedia



Apparently, there have been numerous attempts to break the curse, including an incident of a butchered goat being hung on a statue of Harry Caray. And in 2008, they even called in a Greek Orthodox priest to try to lift the curse.

Is this just a joke, or do people actually believe this? Is there a scriptural or religious basis regarding the existence of curses?

Is it possible that, if someone believes they are cursed, they would sub-consciously try to lose?

What exactly is a curse anyway? How can someone just "curse" another?

It is kind of strange that the Cubs went so many years without a pennant or Series championship. On the other hand, the Yankees have had quite a number of World Championships, so does that mean they have some kind of secret "rabbit's foot" somewhere enshrined in a vault under Yankee Stadium?

Curses are real, according the Bible many have been cursed. Sometimes the curse came from people like Noah or sometimes from God Himself.
But also the blessings are real.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I was a bit hasty in my previous response. Allow me to address your questions.

I was just doing some scanning of headlines, and saw that it was on this date in 1945 (October 6) that an owner of billy goat attending a Cubs game was ejected from the ballpark because his goat was emitting an offensive odor which bothered the fans. Angered, the owner of the goat said "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more."

Curse of the Billy Goat - Wikipedia



Apparently, there have been numerous attempts to break the curse, including an incident of a butchered goat being hung on a statue of Harry Caray. And in 2008, they even called in a Greek Orthodox priest to try to lift the curse.

Is this just a joke, or do people actually believe this? Is there a scriptural or religious basis regarding the existence of curses?

As one that spent a fair amount of time at Wrigley Field, I can assure you that people actually believed this.

If there is any scriptural or religious basis regarding the existence of curses, I'm not really aware of them, with the notable exception of some neo-Pagan paths.

Is it possible that, if someone believes they are cursed, they would sub-consciously try to lose?

I don't know if they would subconsciously try to lose, but they could convince themselves that they can't win.

What exactly is a curse anyway? How can someone just "curse" another?

My opinion...a curse is a suggestion to someone that convinces them that said suggestion somehow controls their fate. So, if one person can convince another that something is true, the mind accepts this. And the mind controls the body.

It is kind of strange that the Cubs went so many years without a pennant or Series championship. On the other hand, the Yankees have had quite a number of World Championships, so does that mean they have some kind of secret "rabbit's foot" somewhere enshrined in a vault under Yankee Stadium?

Naw...I'll chalk it up to confidence and talent.

 

[sooda]

Curses are real, according the Bible many have been cursed. Sometimes the curse came from people like Noah or sometimes from God Himself.
But also the blessings are real.

Its just superstition. Do you also believe in demons? The story of Noah is a morality tale... its fiction.

 

[Stevicus]

I was a bit hasty in my previous response. Allow me to address your questions.



As one that spent a fair amount of time at Wrigley Field, I can assure you that people actually believed this.

If there is any scriptural or religious basis regarding the existence of curses, I'm not really aware of them, with the notable exception of some neo-Pagan paths.



I don't know if they would subconsciously try to lose, but they could convince themselves that they can't win.



My opinion...a curse is a suggestion to someone that convinces them that said suggestion somehow controls their fate. So, if one person can convince another that something is true, the mind accepts this. And the mind controls the body.



Naw...I'll chalk it up to confidence and talent.

I always figured that the whole idea of "curses" was a lot of bunk, but it's funny how pervasive it is throughout the culture and how so many people believe in it. Even people who aren't particularly religious, yet still somewhat superstitious (such as in baseball). This one always cracked me up:

I also recall an episode of Baa Baa Black Sheep where a new pilot in the squadron was branded a "jinx," and no one wanted to fly with him. Pappy told them to cut out that kind of talk. But they all had "good luck" charms on them, like rabbits' feet, four leaf clovers.

 

[calm]

Its just superstition. Do you also believe in demons? The story of Noah is a morality tale... its fiction.

The story of Noah is not a fiction but real. And of course there are demons.

 

[sooda]

The story of Noah is not a fiction but real. And of course there are demons.

Nope.. There is zero evidence for any global flood ever.

The Noah story is borrowed from Sumer. Its about a 4 day flood of the Euphrates River Basin.. Note that the Fertile Crescent and the Nile Delta are fertile precisely because they do flood from time to time.

Noah's flood was 2900 BC and the Ark was barges used to haul beer, grain and livestock down river to southern Iraq.

There is ample evidence for this flood.. which gave birth to the mythos of Gilgamesh and Noah.

Its an epic morality tale for our edification. Its NOT history.

 

[George-ananda]

Although a full participating member of the modern world, I believe there likely can be real curses evolving from the super-physical level of reality by real priests/witches/etc..

However I don't think anyone takes the curse against the Cubs as more than something silly and fun to talk about.

 

[SalixIncendium]

real priests/witches/etc..

How does one make the distinction between a real priest/witch/etc. and a charlatan?

Do real priests/witches/etc. have some sort of power ordinary, run-of-the-mill humans do not?

 

[SalixIncendium]

However I don't think anyone takes the curse against the Cubs as more than something silly and fun to talk about.

Clearly, you've yet to meet a die-hard Cubs fan.

 

[George-ananda]

How does one make the distinction between a real priest/witch/etc. and a charlatan?

Do real priests/witches/etc. have some sort of power ordinary, run-of-the-mill humans do not?

Actually I believe they can attune forces and entities at the super-physical level for a purpose. Yes, I believe the world is very complicated beyond our common physical level.

Charlatans can be out there to deceive or make money too. Many practitioners think they have more abilities than they really do. And some priest/witches really do amazing things some times.

How do you tell? It's not a science but in the interpretation of the pudding. There was a time when I thought things like curses were ridiculous. Over the decades I've seen and heard too much to put up boarders as to what is possible.

 

[j1i]

I was just doing some scanning of headlines, and saw that it was on this date in 1945 (October 6) that an owner of billy goat attending a Cubs game was ejected from the ballpark because his goat was emitting an offensive odor which bothered the fans. Angered, the owner of the goat said "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more."

Curse of the Billy Goat - Wikipedia



Apparently, there have been numerous attempts to break the curse, including an incident of a butchered goat being hung on a statue of Harry Caray. And in 2008, they even called in a Greek Orthodox priest to try to lift the curse.

Is this just a joke, or do people actually believe this? Is there a scriptural or religious basis regarding the existence of curses?

Is it possible that, if someone believes they are cursed, they would sub-consciously try to lose?

What exactly is a curse anyway? How can someone just "curse" another?

It is kind of strange that the Cubs went so many years without a pennant or Series championship. On the other hand, the Yankees have had quite a number of World Championships, so does that mean they have some kind of secret "rabbit's foot" somewhere enshrined in a vault under Yankee Stadium?

There are things that prevent success, including stinginess and people has scarcity giving
Stinginess has broad meanings not only in money
Stinginess with good speech
Stinginess in helping others
Stinginess in telling the truth
Stinginess in the happiness of people
All these factors push God to undermine your natural way of life

 

[IndigoChild5559]

God can bless and curse. People can't. Magick doesn't work.