Superstition vs Faith

[Trey of Diamonds]

Life is a philosophical pursuit. But, of course, that's a philosophical idea...

Philosophy provides us with a reason to have faith by underpinning our own reality with an image of uncertainty. By "us" I mean the agent of actions, thoughts and self. When the philosophical "plane"* is present, faith takes many forms: the belief that that uncertainty isn't real, but "I am"; the belief that that uncertainty is an invisible reality, a "beyond", a greater being; the belief that when we walk in uncertainty we can immerse "I am" in a greater being. Just to name a few.

*to borrow a term from a young RF philosopher

Once again, how do you tie that to the difference in Superstition and Faith? I already know what Philosophy is and I have already explained my thoughts on Superstition and Faith in this thread. What I am asking is how you tie the three together in the context of the OP? Or is this all just a tangent?

 

[Willamena]

Once again, how do you tie that to the difference in Superstition and Faith? I already know what Philosophy is and I have already explained my thoughts on Superstition and Faith in this thread. What I am asking is how you tie the three together in the context of the OP? Or is this all just a tangent?

Superstition is the belief that is certainty.

My thoughts aren't related to the OP; Storm and I don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but she asked for our opinions, our ideas, our images.

 

[waitasec]

Faith, otoh, has the power to transform lives, be it religious or otherwise.

superstitions have the power to transform lives too.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Superstition is the belief that is certainty.

*sigh*

Ok you win. I'm not sure what you're trying to say but I'm sure its very profound and intelligent. Congratulations.

 

[waitasec]

I must admit that I bristle whenever I hear someone call faith (alternately, religion) superstition. I suspect that's the point, but I also think there's a discussion there.

"Superstition," to me, boils down to trivial habit. Throwing spilled salt over your shoulder, etc.

Faith, otoh, has the power to transform lives, be it religious or otherwise. Religion reflects our deepest-held values, expresses our hopes and dreams, and reveals depths of our collective psyche normally hidden.

To dismiss these things as mere superstition is incomprehensible to me.

So, how do you understand the words?

If you're in the habit of equating superstition with religion/ faith, why do you do so?

If, like me, you see them as incomparable, what difference do you see?

imo,
superstitions = subjective understanding
faith = subjective understanding

for some reason superstitions get a bad wrap while it's synonym gets patted on the back

 

[Willamena]

*sigh*

Ok you win. I'm not sure what you're trying to say but I'm sure its very profound and intelligent. Congratulations.

Really?

If you want me to explain the whole topic, it would take a much longer conversation than this thread calls for.

 

[Revoltingest]

Superstition is faith, but the connotations differ.
(The latter is just the former what be put'n on airs.)

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

Really?

If you want me to explain the whole topic, it would take a much longer conversation than this thread calls for.

No I wanted you to explain the connection to the OP, which you finally did in an edit to the post I quoted. In other words there is no connection to the OP and you are merely speaking in confusing terms to try and sound all philosophical. While I love going off on tangents I'm not really interested in this one. Thanks for the offer though.

 

[Willamena]

No I wanted you to explain the connection to the OP, which you finally did in an edit to the post I quoted. In other words there is no connection to the OP and you are merely speaking in confusing terms to try and sound all philosophical. While I love going off on tangents I'm not really interested in this one. Thanks for the offer though.

I agree that asking you to clarify the question about the timing of religion and philosophy was tangental. For that, I am truly sorry that I opened my mouth.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

I agree that asking you to clarify the question about the timing of religion and philosophy was tangental. For that, I am truly sorry that I opened my mouth.

That wasn't the issue, as I said, I love a good tangent. I asked you a direct question, several times and received evasive answers that seemed random and meaningless to me. It was very frustrating. No ill will was intended, just wanted a little clarification.

 

[Quagmire]

Faith is within, superstition is without (quite a few things).

 

[jarofthoughts]

jarofthoughts, what, in your estimation, is the functional difference between religion and its parent discipline of philosophy?

Philosophy contains adherence to logic, the application of rationality and the diligent search for truth.

Religion, generally, does not.

 

[Thief]

Philosophy contains adherence to logic, the application of rationality and the diligent search for truth.

Religion, generally, does not.

Well gee was that over the edge....or what?

So let's just lump all of the prophets and theologians in one place and call them all stupid.

 

[jarofthoughts]

Well gee was that over the edge....or what?

So let's just lump all of the prophets and theologians in one place and call them all stupid.

Prophets, in a religious context, speak on the basis of personal revelation, which makes it at best unreliable and at worst completely made up bat-poo lunacy.
Theology, defined as knowledge about god/gods and his/her/their relationship with the universe, is complete nonsense since there is no knowledge to be had.

Enough?

 

[Thief]

I did scan this thread and maybe I missed it.....

Superstition is a practice of the hand as if to influence the world around you.
It is not necessarily effective.
The earmark is typically the lack of connection between this world and the effect the practitioner desires.

So of course there's a crossover between religion and superstition.

I believe washing of the body has no effect about removing sin.
The practice is a superstition.

I believe repetitious prayer is superstitious.

I believe rituals are superstitious. Special garments and incense have no effect about drawing the attention of heaven....to you.

I could go on.

Oddly though, I do 'feel' good about wearing rings with crosses on them.
And so....though I refrain ritual and repeated prayer....
I don't over look how the other person feels.

Perhaps the practice is all they can really do....for themselves and others.
I say, if the intention is selfless and the desire for help is there....

Let there be prayer.

 

[jarofthoughts]

Let there be prayer.

How about pulling up one's sleeves and actually doing something instead of praying?

As the old proverb goes: "One pair of hands working will do more than a thousand hands clasped on prayer".

 

[Thief]

How about pulling up one's sleeves and actually doing something instead of praying?

As the old proverb goes: "One pair of hands working will do more than a thousand hands clasped on prayer".

And to this one point I would agree.
But only with the qualification....
A work of the hand does not justify anyone before God.

A though prayer is often used as a gesture, as with a rosary....
I do believe that a prayer at the appropriate moment....and intent...
could actually draw the attention of heaven.

Not all prayer fails.

 

[jarofthoughts]

And to this one point I would agree.
But only with the qualification....
A work of the hand does not justify anyone before God.

Good thing there is no reason to think that a god exists then.

A though prayer is often used as a gesture, as with a rosary....
I do believe that a prayer at the appropriate moment....and intent...
could actually draw the attention of heaven.

No reason to think that there is a heaven either.

Not all prayer fails.

*shrug*
By the statistically huge number of people praying for innumerable things one would expect some of those prayers to come true by sheer chance.

In other words; not impressed.

 

[Thief]

Good thing there is no reason to think that a god exists then.

No reason to think that there is a heaven either.

*shrug*
By the statistically huge number of people praying for innumerable things one would expect some of those prayers to come true by sheer chance.

In other words; not impressed.

I have reasons to believe in God.
I'm just not superstitious about it.

I have no congregation...no dogma...no ritual...

I am a rogue theologian.

 

[jarofthoughts]

I have reasons to believe in God.

Good for you.
Or bad, depending...

I'm just not superstitious about it.

Seeing as that is the subject of this thread, perhaps you can explain the difference between your belief in god and superstition?

I have no congregation...no dogma...no ritual...

*shrug*

I am a rogue theologian.

So you say. :sarcastic