What is the difference between religious faith and superstitious belief?

Question

Is one man's religion another man's superstition? How can I tell the difference?

Answer 1

There is no difference. Faith is, by definition, belief based on something that cannot be proven. Likewise, a superstition is a belief not based on reason. While these definitions may not seem to be the same, one must remember that faith is not something that can be reasoned. If you cannot prove it, there is no basis for reasoning, per se. It is inherent in the definition that it cannot be proven or reasoned, hence taking "a leap of faith". The definition of reasoning is the process of forming conclusions based on fact or premises (which are simply statements ASSUMED to be true). While this idea will be inflammatory to many, logical reasoning and factual use of denotation say otherwise.

Answer 2

Superstition=Evil Religious Faith=Good

Answer 3

Religion: your beliefs.
Superstition: the other guy's beliefs.

Religion: people scorn you when you say you don't have any.
Superstition: people admire you when you say you don't have any.

Religion: you're not supposed to question it.
Superstition: it's usually OK to question it.

Religion: has led to the killing of millions throughout history.
Superstition: has probably killed a few people, but not nearly as many.

Religion: you're supposed to show reverence and deference.
Superstition: not really!

Religion: often relies on appeals to authority.
Superstition: often relies on anecdotes.

Religion: threatens you with hell if you do the wrong thing.
Superstition: threatens you with bad luck if you do the wrong thing.

Religion: based on ancient mythologies.
Superstition: based on more contemporary mythologies.

Religion: requires wholesale shielding of beliefs from logic, evidence and rational thought.
Superstition: usually only requires a small to moderate lapse in thinking.

Religion: passed down via written texts.
Superstition: passed down orally.

Religion: practiced in big, expensive buildings.
Superstition: usually practiced on an individual basis.

A good question you ask, though as an atheist I see the differences between the two as really only superficial.

Answer 4

In regard to the Christian faith, the faith needs to be based on solid evidence.

That some people refuse this, ridicule it because of their own hardheartedness, and because a Creator MUST NOT exist no matter what proof is produced mathematically, scientifically, and probability wise -- this doesn't negate the proof to the Christian, it reinforces his faith since so it was said it should be.

Superstitions have to do with nonsense like 'don't walk under a ladder' (frankly common sense if a klutz is working on top), and bad luck if a black cat crosses the road. This has nothing to do with faith being built on evidence.

The way to distinguish various faith was given by Christ that compared religions to fruit trees. As we all know from experience, any particular tree's fruits have one common taste, thus if one fruit from that tree is of poor taste, they all are.

In this way, we can sift through many quickly since God is a God of love and condemned murder, killing and going to war for the Christian. So ask yourself, worldwide which religions have members fighting in wars?

See this page for good Christian Works:
http://bythebible.page.tl/Christian-Good-Works.htm

Answer 5

Most religions have texts, laws, and traditions.

Superstitions are often just theories of life based on limited observation, and ignorance.

If you are cynical, you will think that the two definitions are synonomous. I can't tell you you're wrong if you do, all I can say is, oh well.

Answer 6

religions ask for money