What effects those superstition have on the daily lives of the Filipino?
I-Definition and How Superstition Manifested In Filipino cultures
Definition of
superstition includes transfer from one person to another. Superstition defined
as “belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain extraordinary
or singular events, or in magic, omens, prognostics, or the like”. Another is,
it is the worship of a false god and goddesses or even false of religion. There’s
a quotation says that “Security is
mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men
as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than
outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” by Helen
Keller.
One of this expert is
Mary Worobec, better known as a woman of many superstitions. She is around the
age of 80 years old. When I read the text of Warobec, I wonder that she used a
well know superstition in her life. One of that is when she is preparing for
her wedding, she fallowed the superstition that not allowing the groom to see
her before the marriage and not setting the date of marriage on Saturday. She grew up when superstition where plenty. Even
though that superstition are very plenty that time, Warobec those not always
rely on this superstition but rather she always believe in his creator Jesus
Christ.
Another expert is Kelly Wall has many superstitions since she is an athlete who grew
up in a small town. She is 20 years of age. She studied at Elizabethtown
College in eastern Pennsylvania. She has a dog and she loves it so much. She
said that seeing a dog eating grass, that means it is going to rain or if a dog is
howling for no reason then there are spirits in the area as well as if he howls
three times then there was a death. Because of this superstition, I wonder that
dog's bark, can be something else.
Common manifestations of superstitions are the beliefs in luck, people wants to believe in any curses and some are in spirits . But why many people especially Filipinos wants to believe in this kind of manifestations. Believe in curses is a way of saying "karma". In any case you still have choices and there are ways to reduce bad "karma" by doing good things. In superstition we never accept the fact that in superstitious belief, spirits are also exist. There are good and bad spirits, Other people says that they are always in our side, in everywhere but it is our decision if you want to believe in curse and spirits.
II-What Reinforces Superstitious Beliefs
A. Religion
Every religion has their own superstitious belief and many of them are continuing to believe on it. Superstition affects the religion of every people. Religion and Superstition are against with each other. We all know that any religion do not want to have any superstitions because it says that it is an ignorance and fear. And if you have superstition, it is like that you do not believe to your own God. Based on my article not everyone who is religious is also superstitious and not everyone who
is superstitious is also religious. A person can faithfully attend
church services all their life without giving a second thought to a
black cat walking in front of them. On the other hand, a person who
completely rejects any religion whatsoever may consciously or
unconsciously avoid walking under a ladder — even if there is no one on
the ladder who might drop something.
B. Culture
Superstitions is also reflected in cultures. We say that superstitions exists because of our own culture, because of the traditions that always there and exist in our country. Superstitions primarily represent the underlying inherent fear of
mankind, caused by the uncertainties of this world. In a way, it is a
sign of acceptance of our ignorance and limitations of our power. In
another way, it is a sign of accepting the grandness of this universe
and its scheme of operation, which is still largely beyond our
comprehension and understanding.
C. Media
The reinforces of superstitions is also affect because of the media. Technology now a days is considered as one of the most powerful sources in our country. And as a writer of this research, I considered that media can affect the superstitious beliefs of many people. Like, Horror movies, it considered as of the powerful source why superstition exist here in our country. Like the ghost, spirits, white ladies and many kinds of supernaturals that always affect to our daily lives.
III-Effects of Superstitious Beliefs
A. Foolish Behavior
In superstition we can't deny that many people believe in superstitious beliefs. They want to rely on every beliefs that they have and it is always their decision if they want to continue to believe and to rely on this different superstition. Foolish behavior can be one of the effects of superstition. Because of many people wants to rely and believe superstition, they become fool on it. Maybe it can lead them to be embarrassed, and to be stubborn of anyone. they become misinformation or become an unwise person. As writer of this blog, I don't want to happen this kind of situation to any body. I want everyone to know that it is not bad to believe in superstitions as long as you know the limitations in every superstitions that we have.
B. Bad Decision
Superstitions can bring us to bad decision. Why? Because in every time we believe in superstitions may it can bring us to bad decision. Sometimes, we want to continue our beliefs that we do not know what is the effect on it to our lives. Every people do not want to have bad decision in their lives, they want to continue a better life. Bad decision can cause harm, can cause stubborn,and can cause unwise in every person. We want to have good decision and not bad desicion in our daily lives.
C. Anxiety
Based on my article, anxiety, like tension, excessive worry, trouble sleeping, obsessive thoughts and exhaustion are cause of superstition when we always rely and believe on it. Every person doesn't want to have anxiety because it can harm their body and their mind. Anxiety can affects the daily lives of Filipinos. Anxiety can cause because of bad decision that can also affect the daily lives of Filipinos. We want have a better life , so to prevent this anxiety do not always rely on superstitious beliefs.
