Are you superstitious?

[Ankou]

"Our brains are pattern-recognition machines, connecting the dots and creating meaning out of the patterns that we think we see in nature. Sometimes A really is connected to B, and sometimes it is not. "When it isn't, we err in thinking that it is, but for the most part this process isn't likely to remove us from the gene pool, and thus magical thinking will always be a part of the human condition."

So do you think you hold any superstitious traits? Do you salute at a magpie, avoid walking under ladders, fret when you see a black cat cross the road, throw salt over your shoulder, believe that breaking a mirror is bad luck? Or do you have any superstitious 'rituals' like wearing your lucky pants, or always putting your right sock on first before a football match etc.,? I'm not really talking about habit (3 s's in the right order etc), I mean do you do something - however odd - consciously (cause) that you believe would or could change, prevent or enhance the outcome (effect) of an event?

[warpig3]

Secretly I am quite superstitious. I dont walk under ladders and I do (in my head) salute magpies. Also I once broke a mirror and really did have a bad run of luck lasting years, not too sure if it was 7 though.

Perhaps its is a matter of drawing connections between un connected things, coincidences really. For instance I was reading a book by Toby YOung and I turned the page and he mentioned Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstal, one second later H F-W appeared on the tv, just coincidence no doubt but for me it was 'spooky'.

[MWB]

No, I'm not.

It's bad luck to be superstitious.

[naomi24]

No, not at all - and, fingers crossed, I never will be.

[keyplus90]

I have never been one and don't think that I ever will be.

[mibn2cweus]

Ahem . . . I believe there is an elephant in the room

I would not be fair to only single out one particular religion but having had my bluff called there are some things that simply should not go without mentioning. This is, after all, the Religion & Spirituality topic.

[China-Doll]

I'm not particularly suspicious but I've never quite been able to shake myself of two things...

1) Saluting lone magpies

2) Crossing myself going past cemataries

No idea why. I just feel unsettled if I don't do it. Weird eh?

[Sachs]

Not at all Ankou x

[albaqwerty]

i was born on the 13th and am left-handed, what's to be superstitious about?

[mollykins]

i think that you notice an outcome more if you have performed a supersticious 'ritual'.

like when you hear something on the radio ect and you hear/see it alot for the next couple of days, you're just noticing the affects more even if they are only coincidenses.

[Wizlon50]

Superstition is defined as an irrational belief arising out of ignorance or fear. I believe this applies to all religions?

[naomi24]

Wizlon, why the question mark? I think your statement is entirely accurate.

Good link Mibs.

[Wizlon50]

Steve - I couldn't have put it better myself.