Religious Superstition Ain't the Way


Saw this funny pic yesterday on Facebook. It reminds me of the many superstitions that so many of us embrace. Some think that wearing a particular jersey will help their team win the game. It is all very silly but sometimes the silliness spills over to our religious lives. Often we find ourselves thinking that the words of our prayers (or even simply the ones that we confess) have some sort of magical power. In that we miss the main point that the words we speak or pray is all about the things that we have hidden in our hearts. Faith is really the opposition of superstition because it is not about manipulating outcomes but trusting God regardless of how things turn out.

Can you relate to what I am saying? Have you experienced superstition spill over into your life? What are other examples of religious superstition that you have witnessed?

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12 comments:

  1. DeniseFebruary 3, 2014 at 7:15:00 AM CST

    Wow, this is so true.

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  2. photowannabeFebruary 3, 2014 at 1:52:00 PM CST

    Superstition vs. Faith.
    Superstition is kind of like a magic wand. We want to be in control and make things happen the way we see as perfect.
    Faith is letting God be God in our lives and in our world.

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  3. Debby@Just BreatheFebruary 3, 2014 at 1:59:00 PM CST

    I do feel that prayer changes things, or at least in makes me feel better, however I do know that the plans for my life were already set for me by God when he created me.

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    1. kc bobFebruary 4, 2014 at 9:28:00 AM CST

      I like that Debby. So often the thing that prayer changes is me. :)

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  4. NaniFebruary 3, 2014 at 5:04:00 PM CST

    Money. In the Middle Ages people spent great sums to "buy their way into Heaven." I'm thinking not just the infamous Medici family but others in greater or lesser degrees thought the amount they spent on religious "things" and having their own names or likenesses incorporated into religious works would get them a better assurance of getting to heaven.

    People still do that today, spending more time and money on having displays of their faith instead of being a display of their faith.

    And I'm not saying this from some self-appointed high pedestal. I try to be the best example of my faith that I can be. My Bible is still that white padded leather book with the gilded edges on the pages. Being the prettiest book on the shelf doesn't make the words inside mean anything more.

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    1. kc bobFebruary 4, 2014 at 9:30:00 AM CST

      "having displays of their faith instead of being a display of their faith"

      Love that Nani!

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  5. Mike Erich the Mad TheologianFebruary 3, 2014 at 9:44:00 PM CST

    I find that faith and magic can easily get confused even in my own mind. It is one thing to pray for someone to be healed trusting in God to do what He sees is best and another to feel I am somehow manipulating God do what I want. And I find my mind can easily slip from one to the other.

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    1. kc bobFebruary 4, 2014 at 9:32:00 AM CST

      My wife is waiting on kidney stone surgery as I write Mike. Right now I can really relate to what you wrote.

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  6. ChristianFebruary 4, 2014 at 6:00:00 AM CST

    LOL, I forgot that groundhog day was here. It is an amusing statement.

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    1. kc bobFebruary 4, 2014 at 9:34:00 AM CST

      It is funny Christian. Old Phil gets blamed for a lot of bad weather. We are expecting 6-12 inches of snow today in KC. Bad Groundhog!! ツ

      Delete

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