The history of mankind is replete with tales of superstition

Fear of a black cat, afraid to pass under the stairs, to make loving sympathies, among many other customs are stories that permeate the lives of all of us. Superstitions are as ancient as mankind, are present in history and associated with pagan rituals in which people praised nature.

Who has never heard of one of them, has he? For centuries, we have lived with these customs, many times, without knowing how they were born. Some of these practices are so present in our daily lives that we multiply them automatically in our lives. There are reports that the white linen used by many on New Year’s Eve is influenced by African tribes, a color that would translate peace and purification. Hitting the wood is an age-old habit of the pagans, believing that the trees would be the abode of the gods. They tapped the wood as a way to scare away the evil spirits, calling the power of the deities.

The term “superstition” comes from the Latin “superstitio”, it originates in what we believe from popular knowledge, it is a belief based on reason or knowledge or something closely related to superstitious and magical behavior, linked to the greater or lesser “luck” in a given situation.

From antiquity, people were full of beliefs linked to magical aspects, identifying situations that would give luck to those who followed certain practices. Many superstitions are born of the habits of the past that make sense, but whose reason has been lost over time, multiplying a nonexistent situation, which often comes easily and quietly. Wear luck clothing, special drink, plant of such kind.

Superstition responds to our need for security, as Kloetzel says. “It is not a simple coincidence that, precisely in the field of health and illness, where our helplessness becomes more evident, it is more ‘undermined’ by all sorts of creeds.” “It is also known that it is among the elderly, in the midst of the idea of ​​death, that mysticism and religion find a greater number of devotees,” reveals the author.

Religion and superstition are not the same things
The truth is that as much as they say that religion can carry superstitious characteristics, it is a great mistake to confuse things, for religion is not magic. The superstitious act is the fact of carrying a talisman, avoiding situations, practicing acts of luck or the like.

Religion is something that stays with time and is necessary to believe intensely; already superstition is something that is not believed 100%, but if you do this or that sympathy, bears an object of luck.

What we call superstitious behavior is not always proven and is often legendary, that is, if one believes that something gives chance or luck, tradition has given that number, object or situation a character of favor and belief.

Is that you? Have you stopped to think about what you cultivate and believe? Has he given more value to superstitions than to his Christian life?

It is a reflection to see how each of us takes on fears, beliefs, and beliefs that so often mobilize our lives.