Superstitions Part - 1

Superstitions

“Superstitions consist of beliefs and practices, which have no evidence to support them, and are inconsistent with the degree of enlightenment reached by a community.”

The above definition of superstitions, taken from the textbook of university degree course, is a most logical yet neglected definition of superstitions. It has wide range and covers every field of human activities and knowledge. The analytical explanation of above statement is that as long as faith and practices of a community are in line with its present acquired knowledge and experience (those might be wrong) can’t be called or felt superstitions themselves. This is because their level of enlightenment or understanding is not raised to the higher level of knowledge available in the present world. To raise the level of level of enlightenment they have to think rationally. To create rational thinking one has to adopt a scientific attitude. To develop this scientific temperament, knowledge about the world based on examination, tests and facts those can be proved is essential. This requires sympathetic attitude.


The science is the best instrument to stimulate the rational thinking and investigation of knowledge and experience acquired so far. This does not mean that rational thinking is a right of learned people only. The rational thinking is a born instinct in every human being, which is suppressed throughout the ages. Any individual capable of truthful reasoning is ought to be rational.


There are many doctors, engineers, leaders and even scientists who are learned people and sufficiently enlightened persons yet they believe in superstitions. Despite their modern living using all modern amenities and leading happy life, they are not performing science in practice. They avoid scientific attitude in their daily life. These intelligent people believe and practice superstitions because no one is forcing them to do so. But basically they are selfish or are afraid of something or simply they are hypocrite. By their untenable attitude, common people are confused but ultimately follow them. This act of contradiction is inconsistent with their
enlightenment and as such they can be called superstitious. The second reason for many learned and knowledgeable people being superstitious is because of their lack of rational thinking and its awareness. They couldn’t use science in practice and interlink it with matters of superstitions to investigate the truth behind it. They couldn’t really understand it without some guidance. One has to guide them with sympathy and friendliness.