Composition on superstitions
Answers
A superstition is an irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, especially in connection with religion. To my mind, being too superstitious is opposite of being materialistic and realistic. It's interesting to notice that almost everybody is fairly superstitious, but life of a true superstitious person becomes a never-ending fight against sober view of things. Consequently, superstitions may become an obsession to a person and make his life a real nightmare, because he would notice superstitious everywhere around him. To my way of thinking, superstitions is a good example of a type of belief that one can choose not to be involved in. Though, those who chose to believe, find their world delivering what they expect.
I have always been amazed and often amused at people's belief in superstitions. Once I met my friend who was really upset and worried. She seemed to me to be almost on the point of tears. After a short conversation I understood what was the reason of her hysterics. She was really shocked by the fact that someone had given her sister, as a gift, an expensive kitchen knife. As I understood, her sister hadn't made a big deal of it, but my friend herself was sure that disaster was sure to follow. Apparently to her, the gift of a knife would cut short the life of the recipient, or cut off her good luck. The girl was so persuaded of this that she was wondering if the gift grantor was ignorant of the facts, thoughtless or a secret enemy, intending great harm to come to her sister.
It's important to mention that every superstition has it's own origin and history. The superstition insists that it's bad luck to walk under a ladder came from the early Christian belief that a leaning ladder formed a triangle with the wall and ground. You must never violate the Holy Trinity by walking through a triangle, otherwise you might be considered in league with the devil.