Free sample essay on Superstitions (Free to read). Superstitions betray human weakness, ignorance and fear of the unknown and mysterious. They are the irrational belief in things which remain inexplicable, mysterious and unraveled because of lack of sufficient knowledge and scientific temper.
Superstitions are on the decline because of spread of education, reasoning and scientific advancement. However, even educated and advanced people have their superstitions. It has also been seen that while many old superstitions are dying, new ones are being born. Primitive instincts, fears and beliefs present a fertile land for superstitions. Emotional instability, religious orthodoxy, blind belief in irrational rituals, customs and practices make people an easy prey of the superstitions.
Superstitions are not confined to a particular part of the globe, people, race or community. They are ubiquitous and found throughout the world, in one form or another. There is only a difference of degrees. They are more prevalent among illiterate, uneducated and scientifically less advanced people and societies. Superstitions are being passed on from one generation to another, through religious practices. No doubt they are gradually losing ground with the advancement of rationality, scientific approach to things and globalisation of the world, yet, superstitions may not be eradicated for a long time.
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Belief in charms, supernatural powers, ghosts, evil spirits, and spiritual healing, etc. have their deep roots in superstitions. They are common among the people of all classed. For example, the eclipse of the sun and moon, sighting of shooting stars and comets, cries of certain birds like owls, ravens, and wailing of dogs, mewing of cats, howling of jackals and braying of the ass at certain hours are still regarded as ominous in many communities all over the world. The fear of number 13 is another example of our blind belief. All superstitions have their origin in the human psychology of fear of ill-luck, insecurity and the dread of inexplicable forces in nature. When some phenomena cannot be explained and understood, people start fearing them and assign them divine, supernatural and mysterious origins.
In ancient days, all races and people were governed by superstitions. They found rich and fertile ground in human ignorance and lack of scientific knowledge. The less a community is educated and enlightened, the more it tends to be superstitious and backward. Some vested interests, like the priestly class etc., also exercise a great influence in spreading, maintaining and generating new superstitions. Many of our religious, sectarian and family rituals and rites are based on blind beliefs, and tricks are being played on gullible people by the so-called god men, priests, quacks, charlatans, astrologers, palmists, star and crystal gazers. There are many religious cults thriving today throughout the world only because of human ignorance, blind faith and irrationality.
Even the developed countries are no exception. In spite of advancement of science and technology, the hold of superstitions on mankind is strong and man continues to suffer from these evils and complexes born out of them. In India, sneezing when someone is about to start work, is considered inauspicious. Similarly, the crossing of the path by a cat, especially a black one, is regarded as boding ill-luck. Like these ominous signs, there are lucky ones as well, which are regarded as harbingers of good luck, fortune and success. Man’s ingrained fear of the unknown and the inexplicable has invented ominous signs, portents and premonitions.
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Sacrifice of birds and animals to please the gods and goddesses, and to atone for one’s sins, is a common practice among many communities all over the world. Many women are still lynched because they are mistaken for witches. People still resort to magicians and god men to exorcise the so-called evil spirits and their harmful influences, and are being willingly fleeced and duped in the process.
Superstitions are thriving in an organised way under various cults, religious sects, god men, priests, and so-called prophets and representatives of gods. They are successfully leading the masses by the nose. We have actually failed to draw a line between religion and blind faith, bigotry and spiritualism and between prayer and useless incantations. We regard certain hours and days as inauspicious and so consult astrologers, priests and god men to know the auspicious days and hours to start our work, projects and journey. Likewise, the time and date of marriage, inauguration, and foundation-laying ceremonies are fixed according to the advice of astrologers and the positions of the planets and stars.
The need of the hour is to cultivate more and more objectivity, rationality and scientific spirit in our approach to things, including those which are inexplicable and in some way or other mysterious. We need not give up our ideals, imagination, emotions and impulses and become living robots, but we must be alert and watchful so as not to allow these to dominate and dictate our faculties of reasoning, logic and analysis. Religion is certainly blind if not blended with science and reasoning; and, science is lame, unless guided by conscience and emotions. Our only hope is in sanity, balance and cultivation of scientific outlook and temper.