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by chatoyance 1731 days ago
Superstitions around the world are interesting because they often seem so completely arbitrary.

IMHO, superstitions are ritual tribal beliefs, false knowledge, overactive risk aversion, and false modesty.

2 comments

how do you feel about personal superstitions, developed through individual experience? in my household, before bed, i ask for blessings from my parents and return the sentiment. i'm not pious, nor even religious in the standard sense, but whenever i forget to or don't have the chance, i feel terribly anxious, like something terrible will happen to them/me overnight. i know this comes off as irrational, but it makes me feel safe.
I think they serve a purpose, which I hope is mostly positive. I have my own as well. Some might be seen as prayers or silent meditations. They help me feel better and cope with stressful situations. I don't tell anyone about these or force anyone to do them. Is is irrational? Maybe, but it brings me peace without harming anyone or making the world a worse place to live in.
That's a complete tautology.