Superstition Is a Belief in

Superstition is a belief in something that is not based on reason. In other words, it is the opposite of faith -- which, as the medieval world understood and tried to show (in the works of Thomas Aquinas, for example), was based on reason. Superstition is usually associated with what are called "old wives' tales," and they usually deal with luck or things that might occur in the future. I do not believe that I am superstitious about anything, even though I sometimes play along with superstitions.

For example, I might root for the number 8 (which is said to be lucky) and shy away from the number 4 (unlucky). The difference between science, pseudoscience, philosophy and religion is that in a modern sense science is held above the others because it is based the collection of empirical data. Pseudoscience is a kind of false or wishful collection of data but is mostly hyperbole. Philosophy is the study of wisdom, as the ancient Greeks used to say.

But such figures as Aristotle would have seen no difference between philosophy and science. And religion is that which binds us back to God -- as we appear to be separated. The difference between proving something and having faith is this: proof is something that can be ratified by the intellect as true. Faith is the leap the will must take when reason shows that one must accept solely on the authority of the messenger alone -- hence, faith comes by hearing, but rests upon reason.

I do not believe in pseudoscience. But I do have faith in God. I can attempt to prove that God is true. I can point to the quinque viae that Aquinas used. Or I can point to the argument of Anselm: God is that than which nothing greater can be conceived. I do not believe that prayer is a pseudoscience, but I do believe it is how we talk to God and I believe He listens and that prayer is good for us.

My grandparents believe in some superstitions: for example, they think that if a baby cries for no reason it means there are ghosts around, or that if a dog howls for a long time at night it means someone has died. I do not really practice any superstitions, but sometimes I do like to pick lucky numbers or act superstitious with my friends just for fun.

I think the media influences people in strange ways: we all see so many things in the media -- we think this is how people really are -- violent or sexy or vulgar or good or perfect or happy. But the media is a liar. Very rarely do we ever see a whole story or even a true story on television. Life is not like a 30 minute sitcom. Advertisements try to sell us products that will make us happy -- but they really will not.

If the media influences me in any way, it just makes me angry. Why should I be hit over the head by the media everywhere I go, everywhere I look? Another ad, another song, another film -- always and everywhere. I think friends and family influence me a lot. Religion influences.