A1.State whether the following statements are True or False.
2marks
Superstitious are always dark and cruel.
The writer had enrolled himself among the God Osiris' worshippers.
The people were entirely persuaded that the prophetess could walk on water.
The prophetess walked on the water.
iv)
But we have been getting too solemn. Superstitions are not always dark and cruel; often they add to
the gaiety of life. I received once a communication from the god Osiris, giving me his telephone
number; he lived, at that time, in a suburb of Boston. Although I did not enroll myself among his
worshippers, his letter gave me pleasure. I have frequently received letters from men announcing
themselves as the Messiah, and urging me not to omit to mention this important fact in my lectures.
I admire especially a certain prophetess who lived beside a lake in Northern New York State about
the year 1820. She announced to her numerous followers that she possessed the power of walking on
water, and that she proposed to do so at 11 o'clock on a certain morning. At the stated time, the
faithful assembled in their thousands beside the lake. She spoke to them saying: 'Are you all
entirely persuaded that I can walk on water ? with one voice they replied: "We are'. 'In that case',
she announced, there is no need for me to do so.' And they all went home much edified. Perhaps the
world would lose some of its interest and variety if such beliefs were wholly replaced by cold
science... A wise man will enjoy the goods of which there is a plentiful supply, and of intellectual
ruobish he will find an abundant diet, in our own age as in every other.
Answers
Answer:
The number 13, black cats, breaking mirrors, or walking under ladders, may all be things you actively avoid – if you’re anything like the 25% of people in the US who consider themselves superstitious.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly superstitious person, you probably say “bless you” when someone sneezes, just in case the devil should decide to steal their soul – as our ancestors thought possible during a sneeze.
Superstition also explains why many buildings do not have a 13th floor – preferring to label it 14, 14A 12B or M (the 13th letter of the alphabet) on elevator button panels because of concerns about superstitious tenants. Indeed, 13% of people in one survey indicated that staying on the 13th floor of a hotel would bother them – and 9% said they would ask for a different room.
On top of this, some airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa, do not have a 13th row. Lufthansa also has no 17th row – because in some countries – such as Italy and Brazil – the typical unlucky number is 17 and not 13.
What is superstition?
Although there is no single definition of superstition, it generally means a belief in supernatural forces – such as fate – the desire to influence unpredictable factors and a need to resolve uncertainty. In this way then, individual beliefs and experiences drive superstitions, which explains why they are generally irrational and often defy current scientific wisdom.