Not At All

I’ve met few people who were superstitious or approved of those who were. Some are in a jokey way. Then, some atheists might consider all religion superstitious. In Ireland, I sometimes see people blessing themselves when they pass a church, but perhaps that’s just a gesture to show respect. What are examples of superstitious behaviour? Maybe I should ask my friend Microsoft Co-pilot.

• Knocking on Wood
• Avoiding Walking Under Ladders
• Throwing Salt Over Your Shoulder
• Breaking a Wishbone
• Carrying a Lucky Charm
• Avoiding the Number 13
• Breaking Plates at Weddings

I do avoid walking under ladders, but not out of superstition. I just think that I’m more likely to avoid someone dropping a hammer or a bucket of cement on me 😀.

Breaking a wishbone – I do remember doing that as a family tradition – a little like wishing on a star. We didn’t believe it, but it was just a little jokey ritual. And people joke about it being Friday 13th, but I never met anyone who was scared of the number 13.

Perhaps sometimes people pretend to believe in them or claim that others believe in them for the sake of Irish tourism. I have a vague memory of people speaking about the Banshee’s Cry or considering it lucky to find a horseshoe.

The Bible is quite negative towards superstition. In fact, it’s considered a form of idolatory.

Deuteronomy 18:10–12
¹⁰ There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer ¹¹ or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, ¹² for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.

This is one of the reasons that Protestants are uneasy about attempting to pray to anyone other than God. It’s often felt that such practices originate in paganism and should be dispensed with.

1 Timothy 4:7
⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

In Ireland, ancient traditions such as holy wells were often re‑framed as Christian sites rather than eliminated. And even Christian festivals, such as Christmas and Easter originate from pagan times. Some evangelicals avoid these altogether and object to Christmas trees and other pagan traditions. It’s often a challenge for missionaries to decide how to deal with cultural customs. People do cherish traditions. For example, an Indian from a Hindu background might become a Christian, but might still enjoy family festivals and traditions. Some Christians find that upsetting, others see little harm in it. Or perhaps Muslims living in Ireland might be OK with fun activities associated with Christmas. Some “woke” atheists would prefer to ban Christmas in the public space, but Muslims often say that they’re OK with it. One wonders whether these “woke” atheist just want to replace all religion with their own superstitions 😀.

If something is damaging, such as human sacrifice or Sati, I wouldn’t want to endorse that, but if it’s something fun, such as kids wearing scary masks at Halloween, I don’t have any problem with that as long as people realize that it’s just fun and fantasy. And of course, I’d like to encourage people to put the Bible well above traditions, even above Christian or evangelical traditions. People disagree about religion, but what’s wrong with disagreement? – as long as we’re not nasty to each other. I can disagree with someone of other faith, but I might also disagree with someone in my own church. It shouldn’t stop us from loving each other. And one day, we’ll all discover the truth.

Here are a couple of songs about trusting in God when you feel afraid or are gripped by superstitions: