The Contrasts and Similarities between Superstition and Religion - Essay Example

1 The Contrasts and Similarities between Superstition and Religion and their Relative Importance to Culture. While it is certainly true to say that we live in an increasingly secular world, one way or another Religion and, to a certain extent, superstition still have a degree of influence on our culture. In addition, people from a diversity of religions, as well as non-believers, are living and working side-by-side within society more than ever before. In previous times, culture was often seen in terms of opposition to nature. However, more recently the field of anthropology has tended to hold the view that in fact culture is nature. Therefore anthropologists have begun to shift their attentions away from an etic type comparison (an outsiders view) of cultures - in search of some kind of universal rule of cultural development - towards a more emic type (an insiders view) of approach that focuses on understanding aspects of culture in that particular cultures own terms. In other words, their focus is on a kind of cultural relativism (1). Therefore, during the first part of this essay I will concentrate on an emic view of superstition and religion whilst examining examples of each. I will then go on to attempt an outline of the differences and similarities between the two before drawing conclusions on their continued importance to todays world. Superstition can be loosely defined as the belief in ideas that are not founded in either knowledge or reason. From an outsiders position, the term is often used in a somewhat derogative manner, referring to it in terms such as old wives tales. Nonetheless, many superstitious practices date back to a pre-religious era and many people from various cultures still firmly believe that events can be predicted, often 2 based on the outcomes of previous events. For cultures steeped in superstitional practice, nothing has a natural cause as such. Indeed every event was the work of spirits. These spirits could punish or reward, ruin or save the individuals of peoples. Let us take the example of the ritual practices and beliefs of the Azande tribe. If we were to study these practices from an etic standpoint, using techniques of ethnography for example, we could effectively explain every outcome in terms that would be outside the understanding of this tribe, but to us would effectively prove that the rain dance this tribe performs had no effect on the rain. However, at the same time the peoples of this tribe could also effectively show that, if carried out correctly, this ritual could indeed affect the outcome of the rain. Here we have an example of cultural relativism. The practice of astrology is another area that falls into the category of superstition, simply because despite practitioners attempts to tie the practice to precise mathematical formulas, it is not strictly based on scientific truths. However, proponents of astrology – including the areas of horoscope and Tarot readings – would claim the validity of the practice simply because of its long history. In fact, the use of horoscopes was first recorded in Ancient Mesopotamia where they were used to predict affairs of the state, while they became more individual-focused in Ancient Greece. So that is a basic outline of superstition, let us now take a closer look at religion. Religion has, in fact, historically been defined in various different (and often overlapping) ways. Moreover, some definitions appear to be relatively broad whilst 3 others are somewhat narrower. For Example, the American theologian, Vergilius Ferm spoke of religion in terms of " effecting in some way…a vital adjustment to whatever is reacted to or regarded implicitly or explicitly as worthy of serious and ulterior concern" (qtd in Sweetman 4). More morally minded was the philosopher William James who spoke of religion as "a belief there is an unseen order, and that our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto" (qtd in Sweetman 5). Thus, we see it is difficult to define religion in precise terms; however, we could attempt a definition along the lines of it being a complex system of beliefs that somehow influence our way of life. In addition, these beliefs are largely based on the existence of both an unseen reality and some form of Supreme Being. In general, religions hold that there is some kind of afterlife and that human beings are divided into both body and soul. Finally, more often than not, religions believe communication with God can be achieved through prayer. Naturally however, the various religions tend to differ greatly on a number of factors. These factors often include those such as the true nature of both God and reality and the correct versions of certain moral issues. Perhaps more fundamentally, they tend to disagree on certain doctrinal issues; Christianity for example, affirms aspects such as the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus, while the Muslim would resolutely deny these aspects. In addition, while Christians hold that when an individual dies they will almost certainly (and immediately) enter into a personal relationship with God, the Hindu, for example, will assert that the individual will be reincarnated instead. So just how do the concepts of superstition and religion overlap or do they not in fact overlap at all? Let us look at that question in more detail. 4 The fact is that in many ways superstition and religion can look relatively similar. However, the philosopher, Cicero was to draw the following distinction: "Superstitio est in qua timor inanis deorum, religio quæ deorum cultu pio continetur", which roughly translates as: "Superstition is the baseless fear of the gods, religion the pious worship." (qtd in Wagenvoort 32). But the fact is, adherers of certain religions will often see other religions as superstitious. For example, the Pope would undoubtedly regard certain African traditions as superstitions, whilst many Protestants see certain Catholic practices as superstitions. In addition, many people who not religious, atheists and agnostics alike, may well regard any religious belief as superstition (often whilst consulting their daily horoscope). Moreover, certain superstitions have their origins within religions and they continue to be observed by individuals who may no longer adhere to that particular religion. Meanwhile certain, perhaps superstitious, practices have also tended to become adapted depending on the religious beliefs of the individual. Therefore, we have examples such as how the pagan symbol that was used to ensure against evil was readapted to the Christian Cross during the Christianization of Europe. Among the similarities between the two concepts, we have to include the fact that both superstition and religion are basically non-materialistic. Whilst both practices share the necessity of providing coherent meaning to the apparent chaos, 5 cause and effect interacting between matter and energy does not generally apply. Rather the greatest influence on the world comes from immaterial forces Nonetheless, the differences are equally abundant: Religions, for example will focus on the belief in a single God rather than numerous Gods. In addition, superstition does not bode well as far as maturity and growth is concerned. Whilst superstition inherently requires that things are done in the exact same way over and over again, religious practices tend to focus on the idea of growth - be it through some degree of experimentation or through the continued questioning and examination of beliefs. Suffice to say whatever the differences or however we may define them, both superstitions and religion continue to hold sway in many peoples lives. The fact is that as finite human beings the infinite will always hold a certain fascination. Religion and superstition both offer a way of understanding the numerous mysteries that surround our lives. Furthermore, such practices have been enormously influential throughout history. In fact, most people that have ever lived were indeed religious and religious thought has to some extent intrinsically shaped our approach to building society with regards to issues such as the law and morality as well as politics. In reality, despite all the inherent difficulties of both practices and of course the fact they have often been the cause of various conflicts, many people have found them and continue to find them both satisfying and fulfilling. Indeed, practically speaking, having faith in certain beliefs can effectively offer a source of comfort for many individuals that can not only help them to cope with reality but can also offer the means of both motivating and organizing them to do good with their lives. Notes 1. Cultural relativism implies that the beliefs of the various religions are just as true as the claims of science; that truth is in fact a relative notion, and that truths can effectively differ greatly from culture to culture. Closely related to this is the term Ethnocentrism that revolves around the tendency that ethnic or cultural groups have for regarding their group as being centrally important and that by extension all other groups should be measured in relation to their own. Works Cited Bowie, Fiona The Anthropology of Religion: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell. 1999. Print Geertz, C "Religion as a Cultural System," Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Religion , ed. M. Banton ,London: Tavistock. 1966. Print. Sweetman, Brendan. Religion: Key Concepts in Philosophy. MPG Books Ltd. 2007. Print Vardy, Peter and Arliss, Julie, The Thinkers Guide to God. O Books. 2003. Print. Wagenvoort, Hendrik. Pietas: selected studies in Roman religion. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill. 1980. Print Read More