the "disbelief is a belief" question again

[sophiaserpentia]

Does it take faith to disbelieve that breaking a mirror is bad luck? What about not believing that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck?

If not, how is this different from the same question applied to God?

If yes, what distinguishes a "valid" superstition like the ones listed above from "invalid" ones like the Flying Spaghetti Monster? What about supersititions from other cultures, like the belief that taking a picture steals your soul?

Is the difference that people in this culture were exposed since early childhood to believe in the superstitions listed above?

Comments

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

If yes, what distinguishes a "valid" superstition like the ones listed above from "invalid" ones.

The passage of sufficient time so that the origin story is shrouded in mystery.

Do you say "Bless you" when someone sneezes? Why? How do you feel about someone who doesn't say it to you?

[mysticphyre.livejournal.com]

Bless you was said as (i don't know if it is true or not) but it was thought that your heart skips a beat when you sneeze.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

Sometimes i do, sometimes i don't. I don't particularly care if someone says anything to me when i sneeze.

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

Okay, see, if this assertion of "disbelief is a belief" only applies to concepts we're exposed to in our culture throughout our childhood, that strikes me as very strong evidence that it does not meet an objective standard. In other words, i don't think the assertion holds up from an objective point of view.

[herbalgrrl.livejournal.com]

I say *gesund*-- which to me is more of a reminder for people to care for their health than anything. It used to bother me (years ago) if people didn't say something when I sneezed til I realized I was being supersticious & silly.

I believe *bless you* originated in the idea that the soul leaves the body for a moment when one sneezes-- thus allowing illness/ demons in.

[brontosproximo.livejournal.com]

snopes.com has a whole list of reasons it might be.

The real reason is that everybody else does it and there is social pressure if you do not do it. Which I think is part of my point.

[azaz-al.livejournal.com]

I say "Gesundheit", because I'm an educated elitist that way. :))

Okay, I say it because it is what a polite person is supposed to say and I try to pretend to be civilized at work.