The difference between religion and superstitions

[Revoltingest]

Again I'd argue it's more than that. As I understand it cults require a strong rejection of the culturally accepted parameters of religion, just not completely enough to include the trappings or usually the basic framework, whereas religions are more or less compatible with culturally accepted norms even if that compatibility is sometimes a bit strained. I'd argue that's a pretty fundamental difference. But none of that really matters to the issue at hand unless delusional is close enough to superstitious to more or less equate the two in the context of the OP. They are to my mind (I think), but I'm not the marshal of the discussion.

The "accepted parameters" are just the result of dominant religions.
Naturally, upstarts will differ.
Fundamentally, they're both similar, eg, beliefs about the supernatural, grouping together, rituals, morality.

 

[SkepticX]

The "accepted parameters" are just the result of dominant religions.
Naturally, upstarts will differ.

More or less--yeah, They're part of socialization.

Fundamentally, they're both similar, eg, beliefs about the supernatural, grouping together, rituals, morality.

In those ways they're basically similar--yes. But in regard to social functioning in the larger society and how members have responded to socialization, highly consequential sociological and psychological aspects of personality, they're significantly different, and religion is much more about the community than the doctrines and dogma.

Still though, this really doesn't matter to the issue at hand, which isn't about the nature of cults (or perhaps delusion) vs. religions, but rather religion vs. superstition.

 

[Revoltingest]

More or less--yeah, They're part of socialization.

In those ways they're basically similar--yes. But in regard to social functioning in the larger society and how members have responded to socialization, highly consequential sociological and psychological aspects of personality, they're significantly different, and religion is much more about the community than the doctrines and dogma.

Still though, this really doesn't matter to the issue at hand, which isn't about the nature of cults (or perhaps delusion) vs. religions, but rather religion vs. superstition.

Catholocism seems to fit the definition of "cult" pretty well.
But we don't call it one because it's so large, & we're used to it.
And it has a lot of real estate.

 

[Jedster]

Catholocism seems to fit the definition of "cult" pretty well.
But we don't call it one because it's so large, & we're used to it.
And it has a lot of real estate.

I think the C of E could do much to house the poor/homeless with their massive real estate ownership.

 

[Revoltingest]

I think the C of E could do much to house the poor/homeless with their massive real estate ownership.

Some are more about the edifice than the action.

 

[Guy Threepwood]

How about fossils?

; which showed sudden appearances of highly evolved species, followed by stasis and/or sudden extinction

What about thousands of life forms?

millions, of which only one ponders these questions

What about predictions?

which ones?

Darwin's- that the Cambrian explosion was merely an artifact of an incomplete record, that the gaps would be filled in over time?

What about DNA?

exactly, Darwin saw the spontaneous formation of the 1st replicating cell as a potential problem to his ideology, based only on the fuzzy images in his miscroscope, with no conception of the necessary sophistication within

What about your own biological structure?

same again, has that design proven to be simpler, more easily happened upon by chance? or the opposite?

What about the sun? and the moon? and mars?

Likewise, in N.America we will be lucky enough to see a total solar eclipse this year, where the disc of the moon perfectly masks that of the sun, revealing the corona and hence the mysteries of the universe

If we ever find ET on Mars, we may have some evidence, implication that we are not the primary intended beneficiaries of creation, but I am willing to accept the evidence of observed reality also.

Please elaborate, What is the Obvious alternative? and how is it obvious?
As i see it, If it was so obvious, everyone would know it.. Unless of course, you are the only smart person to realize that it is so obvious.

Most everyone does, do they not? But we still acknowledge faith, we recognize our beliefs as such, how about you?

Cheers

Same to you and all the best for '17

 

[Guy Threepwood]

Some are more about the edifice than the action.

 

[Revoltingest]

What is that place?
I have a frightened feeling where I carry my wallet.

 

[Guy Threepwood]

What is that place?
I have a frightened feeling where I carry my wallet.

Yes, I've had that too for some time.. but somehow I feel a little better now.

All the best for 2017!

 

[paarsurrey]

Hi All,
I just saw a movie the other night and in one of the scenes a man asks someone to loose he's purple tie as it brings bad luck ( and mentions it is just a superstition )

I Would really love to hear a theist POV regarding superstitions.
What is the difference between those and believing that If you pray, for example, God might answer your prayer?
As I see it, There is no real difference other than the latter dealing usually with superficial things, but the main idea is the same.

Cheers

Religion is based on Revelation from G-d, it is not superstition.
Atheism is neither based on Revelation nor on science, it is just mental activity of one's mind, and as such is superstition or "unreasonable notion".

Regards

 

[psychoslice]

Religion is based on Revelation from G-d, it is not superstition.
Atheism is neither based on Revelation nor science, it is just mental activity of one's mind, and as such is superstition.

Regards

Ha, religion is nothing but a belief in a god in the sky, and how dare you say that Atheism is based on revelation and not science, when your own belief is based on nothing but faith, faith without proof..........please stop being ignorant.

 

[SkepticX]

Religion is based on Revelation from G-d ...

How do you vet your revelations?

If you're sincere about making sure you understand a given revelation correctly--since you're obviously using a human brain for this--you'll absolutely need to carefully vet your understanding of the revelation in question because human brains are prone to various kinds of perceptual and interpretive error. So I'm curious how you go about that process.

 

[paarsurrey]

How do you vet your revelations?

If you're sincere about making sure you understand a given revelation correctly--since you're obviously using a human brain for this--you'll absolutely need to carefully vet your understanding of the revelation in question because human brains are prone to various kinds of perceptual and interpretive error. So I'm curious how you go about that process.

It is very simple.
It is explained in the context of a verse of Quran and there are clues in the verse and the context verses, where it is further explained.
Regards

 

[Muffled]

Hi All,
I just saw a movie the other night and in one of the scenes a man asks someone to loose he's purple tie as it brings bad luck ( and mentions it is just a superstition )

I Would really love to hear a theist POV regarding superstitions.
What is the difference between those and believing that If you pray, for example, God might answer your prayer?
As I see it, There is no real difference other than the latter dealing usually with superficial things, but the main idea is the same.

Cheers

I see superstitions as unproven relationships ie that walking under a ladder will bring bad luck. There is no relationship between the two except accidentally.

I believe the relationship becomes more secure as the possibility of something happening on its own diminishes ie it isn't a mere coincidence that the prayer was answered.

I believe that is due to a bias.

 

[Muffled]

I see zero connection between an act of faith like prayer
and superstition like wearing a rabbits foot.
Wasn't very lucky for the rabbit now was it.
I see no "superstition" in believing in a Power greater than mankind.
Now I admit that I've attended some services, usually a funeral, where
there seemed to be a whole lot of superstition involved.
Most Christian church services I've attended, and it's a lot, aren't
hawking superstition in any way.
Some are rotten with superstitious acts that morphed into church
dogma.
Seems bowing to an idol and lighting incense and candles makes one
more connected to the spirit world by a physical, observable, act.
Much the same as strangling a bird, or cutting a lambs throat I
guess.
Everyone with any sense KNOWS that the way you tie your shoes in
the morning sets the tone for the entire day.
I mean really! Do some things need explained?
"Where is my lucky key chain anyway?"

I believe he didn't mention faith which seems close to superstition because it lacks the evidence of a relationship. For instance Louis Pasteur had faith that there was something causing disease that wasn't vapors. His discovery that bio-organisms caused disease reconciled his faith but vapors was always a superstition because it never was proven despite the fact doctors had faith in it.

I believe in a sense we take it on faith that God exists because we can't see Him just as people were not able to see microbes until the microscope was invented. That is one of the reasons why Jesus is so important. He is the embodiment of God so that we could hear Him speak and know His actions.

 

[Muffled]

Religion = Superstition... Get over it.

I believe you are highly superstitious about this, so deal with it.

 

[YmirGF]

I believe you are highly superstitious about this, so deal with it.

If this is what you think then you neither understand me or the nature of superstition.

 

[SkepticX]

It is very simple.
It is explained in the context of a verse of Quran and there are clues in the verse and the context verses, where it is further explained.

Ah ... such simplicity explains the universal Muslim agreement on doctrine.

Eh?

 

[paarsurrey]

Ah ... such simplicity explains the universal Muslim agreement on doctrine.
Eh?

Is this exclamation to agree?

Regards

 

[SkepticX]

Is this exclamation to agree?

Not exactly--no.

Do you think there's universal Muslim agreement on Islamic doctrine?