Is there a real connection between religion and superstition? Some, particular adherents of various religious faiths, will often argue that the two are fundamentally different types of beliefs. Those who stand outside of religion, however, will notice some very important and fundamental similarities which bear closer consideration.
Read Article: Religion vs. Superstition: Is Religion Just Organized Superstition? Is Superstition Always Religious?
Actually, there are some sort of differences in superstition and religion, though we don’t quite know exactly what or why. As part of my undergrad research project, we surveyed high school students on their beliefs in various forms of superstition and paranormal events, including religion on the scale. Everything correlated with each other EXCEPT religious beliefs. As in, people who believed in witchcraft were more likely to believe in aliens, but this wasn’t true for people who believed in god. This was an unexpected finding.
Our research backed up several other studies, and our conclusion was that maybe religion DIDN’T belong on the scale. We couldn’t figure out why, though. Possibly a flaw in our research, but more than likely it is probably that people grow up and learn to be more skeptical of outrageous claims except that of religion, which they have grown up with. We don’t know for sure.
Just food for thought!
Um, of course people who are religious are less likely to believe in aliens: it’s a part of their dogma that humans are special. They were created in the image of the creator and the universe was created just for their amusement. Intelligent life evolving separately on other worlds kind of throws a big ‘ole wrench in the whole thing.
I think Joseph’s point could also be applied to other superstitions and paranormal events. Religious people may not believe in them when they are contrary to their religious dogmas.