My friend is atheist, but a little wary of crows crossing his path, and the 13th floor of high rises. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you take stock in any kind of superstition, doesn't that mean you believe in some sort of higher power that's doling out good and bad luck?
Superstitious atheists, please enlighten me.
2007-07-20 06:36:41 · 12 answers · asked by red line 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Most of us will have a quirky belief or two.
It's the behavioural equivalent of the appendix.
Lots of things get taught, or just picked up, when we are very young. And habits and thoughts acquired then are not easily shaken off, even if our intellect disavows them.
Friday the 13th being unlucky would be a good example.
And that one comes with cultural reinforcement.
2007-07-20 06:48:21 · answer #1 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The main difference between superstition and religion is that most people don't really believe the superstitious stuff. They know that the number 13 is no more evil than say 69, yet they still avoid it. They don't walk under a ladder, even though they really know it doesn't matter one way or the other. With Religion, now that is real, in their minds. So, no, I do not hold superstitious people in the same category as religious people.
2016-05-18 03:35:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Superstition and religion are not the same thing. Your friend could very well be an agnostic, believing in a power, but not one revieled yet. But the idea of luck is truely in one's head. It's how you look at the world. Like the saying goes; lies, damn lies and statistics. If all you pay attention to is the bad luck, of course you're going to think you have bad luck.
2007-07-20 06:45:10 · answer #3 · answered by gamr326 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As an atheist I do not generally accept anything beyond the explainable, however I am glad to see those that are doing it and wait to see what the experiments produce. i am talking esp etc not the black cat thing which I guess would be paranormal than superstitions.
2007-07-20 06:45:02 · answer #4 · answered by Gawdless Heathen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am atheist, but I dodge black cats just for fun. Good excuse to try another route home or just finish the song that's playing. It's not something I believe is true, but rituals are fun.
2007-07-20 06:50:56 · answer #5 · answered by dissolute_chemical 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. Superstitions are irrational connections between one event (or set of events) and a circumstance or action. Buddhism has its share of superstitions, but it does not feature a deity.
2007-07-20 06:42:42 · answer #6 · answered by Scott M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be both I think. Luck or evil or whatever aren't necessarily related to god. It's okay to believe in whatever you want. All atheism says is that you don't belief in deities.
I'm a firm believer in karma, yet an atheist.
2007-07-20 06:40:41 · answer #7 · answered by RJ 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The only requirement to being an atheist is a disbelief in god or gods. Beyond that, anything goes, there are no hard and fast rules.
2007-07-20 06:41:07 · answer #8 · answered by iamnoone 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
LOL My husband is. I think its a total riot. Nope he believes in no God. But he believes in things yet to be explained. A Romantic Athiest I suppose. He's a Poli Sci major. Cut him some slack.
2007-07-20 06:39:57 · answer #9 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't completely get it either. If you apply the same standard to all superstitions that you do to a god, you wouldn't be. But I know several who are.
2007-07-20 06:44:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋