SUPERSTITION

BEREN BELLO
III ROENTGEN


A black cat… a broken mirror… sweeping at night… knocking on wood… Our grandmas and grandpas always say that they are bad luck. We follow it without even proving it. What are really superstitious beliefs? All of our old relatives say that we must guide our life with beliefs; such like a broken mirror can give you bad luck for seven years. Biblically and scientifically speaking, superstition never existed. Why some people, especially Filipinos, follow such beliefs?

Superstitions are unconfirmed beliefs, especially with the supernatural. It is handed down from one generation to another generation so each story has a different version. Not so convincing after all because it changes every time it is handed down to one generation. Why do we, especially Filipinos, believe in superstition? First of all, it is a part of our culture. Early Filipinos believe in the supernatural like engkantos, aswangs, kapre and white lady. The Filipino culture is so colorful that fiction is always accepted as the truth. Example, some of the Ethnic groups worship anitos to bring good harvest and especially rain. Second, older Filipinos threaten the younger ones with superstition. Filipinos are exposed to superstition because at a very young age. They know what multo is. Lastly, superstition of Filipinos are influenced by foreigners, especially the Chinese. Feng Shui /fung suy/ are introduced by the Chinese. Some Chinese told Filipinos that feng shui is very effective that it really brought them luck. The Filipinos, that want more luck than they have, immediately follow. He rearranges his house so that it is in front of the rising sun. In the Bible, no verse said that superstitions are real. We are the first Christian country in the whole Asia and we strongly believe in superstition. How Ironic!

For me, superstitions are only part of our rich and colorful culture. It is not made to be a guide in life. We can talk about it but never apply it. Believing in superstitions are like believing in other gods besides Jesus. It is clearly against the Ten Commandments. Let me tell you, if you believe in superstition you are in a serious trouble. Believe in God. SUPERSTITIONS CAN COLOR OUR STORIES BUT NOT ARE LIFE.