Joseph Lewis D’Silva
Superstitions are a collection of irrational beliefs about unknown things, which are not based on laws of science but are solidified in culture. Though we may boast of having scientific temper; most of us are prisoners of superstitions.
Superstitions originated due to early man’s attempt to explain nature but their knowledge about it was wrong. But once these false beliefs got planted into their mind, they selectively collected ‘proofs’ and carried these erroneous belief in their brain all their lives.
So, many believe that some animals, events and objects cause good luck; while others, are harbingers of misfortune, for example; a white cat, brings good luck; and a black cat brings bad luck. Many people believe that Friday 13 brings bad luck because Judas was the 13 person to be seated at the last Supper. But Chinese and ancient Egyptians believed that No. 13, brings good fortune. The number 13 is considered lucky by Chinese people because it means “assured growth” or “definitely colourful”.
For the Egyptians it is a great Blessing and Promise because Ishmael was circumcised at the age of 13 which is when God made the promise to Abraham. Perhaps, also because Jesus makes 13 statements declaring who and what he is … “I am the Bread, I am the Light, I am the Gate, I am the Good Shepherd, I am the Resurrection, I am the Way, I am the Truth, I am the Life, I am the Vine, I am the King, I am Son of God, I am in the Father, I am.”Again, a mirror hung at the door, brings good luck; and if a mirror breaks, it brings 7 years of bad luck. But No. 7 is associated with good luck also, for some, because it has Biblical references attached to it. God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th day; King Solomon’s temple took 7 years to build; in Jewish tradition, the deceased are mourned for 7 days; in the Bible we have 7 sacraments, 7 deadly sins, 7 last plagues and 7 heavenly virtues.
One should stop believing in superstitious. Life without superstitions is a life of freedom but a life affected by clouds of superstitions. A life inclined to take decisions based on superstitions rather than on facts; it can be a real nuisance to position or sit with superstitions and miss fights be late for appointments or fail to turn up at some occasions”.
A man of superstition is like a garden full of weeds. Most superstitions are based on predicting the future in some way, but good luck, wealth and happiness cannot be predicted by anyone or anything. The Roman Catholic Church considers superstitions to be sinful because it shows a lack of trust in God and is a violation of the Ten Commandments. So get rid of superstitions. Release yourself from fear, and start enjoying life. Bring yourself back to God.
