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India is a land of superstitions. Superstitious behaviour floats around everywhere! From a string of lemon and chillies tied in front of stores to ward off the evil eye, to getting married on an auspicious day and at an auspicious time (say, 11/17/2014 at 7:32 AM on the dot). From touching money to your eye if you dropped it on the ground accidentally, to hanging devil faces on a newly constructed house so as to ward off other devils. From not allowing menstruating women inside the kitchen or places of worship due to their "impurity", to refraining from cutting your fingernails on a Saturday or Tuesday, as it will lead to bad luck. Or, even plastering your kid's face with black kajal spots so as to take away the evil eye from them or "nazar utarna" as Indians call it.
The list of superstitions are endless! I think every object has some superstitious belief attached to it. Even a peepal tree! Sleep under a peepal tree at night and be at the mercy of ghosts and spirits!
I, for one, have not believed in superstitions. Though, my mom did scare me as a kid when she told me never to took at an idol being led in procession down the streets, as the demon(s) residing in the idol/statue may enter me. Well, I always cover myself with the blood of Jesus whenever I pass by a noisy drum-beating, weird dancing, idol procession. Nothing protects one, more, you know.
Coming to the title of this post, I have been surprised to see Christians who portray superstitious behaviour. For example, when someone says a good thing has happened to them, they immediately touch some wooden surface, and say "touchwood!", so that the good thing that happened does not get jinxed and turn into a bad thing.
Here's what I do look to gain from this thread. Feel free to answer one or all of the following questions:
1. Do you believe in superstitions? If yes, which ones do you believe in?
2. What are some of the whackiest superstitions that you have come across?
3. Have you come across superstitious Christians? What did they believe in?
4. Do you think that superstitions go against the Bible and what Christianity teaches?
No judgments. I am just curious to know what you think. =)
The list of superstitions are endless! I think every object has some superstitious belief attached to it. Even a peepal tree! Sleep under a peepal tree at night and be at the mercy of ghosts and spirits!
I, for one, have not believed in superstitions. Though, my mom did scare me as a kid when she told me never to took at an idol being led in procession down the streets, as the demon(s) residing in the idol/statue may enter me. Well, I always cover myself with the blood of Jesus whenever I pass by a noisy drum-beating, weird dancing, idol procession. Nothing protects one, more, you know.
Coming to the title of this post, I have been surprised to see Christians who portray superstitious behaviour. For example, when someone says a good thing has happened to them, they immediately touch some wooden surface, and say "touchwood!", so that the good thing that happened does not get jinxed and turn into a bad thing.
Here's what I do look to gain from this thread. Feel free to answer one or all of the following questions:
1. Do you believe in superstitions? If yes, which ones do you believe in?
2. What are some of the whackiest superstitions that you have come across?
3. Have you come across superstitious Christians? What did they believe in?
4. Do you think that superstitions go against the Bible and what Christianity teaches?
No judgments. I am just curious to know what you think. =)
