Superstition
Superstition has had numerous definitions over the years. In 1828 Webster defined it as an Excessive exactness or rigor in religious opinions or practice that are both an extreme and unnecessary form in the observance of rites not commanded, or the belief of what is absurd, or belief without evidence.[1]
It was considered to be "False religion; false worship." which was seen in the "Rite or practice proceeding from excess of scruples in religion. In this sense, it admits of a plural."
"Belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain extraordinary or singular events, or in omens and prognostics."
While, in the same dictionary religion is seen including the truth or perfections of God as revealed in man's obligation and accountableness to God in true godliness with the practice and "performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men".[2]
a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation. b : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition.
A rite or ritus is a word that designates the "The prescribed or customary form for conducting a religious or other solemn ceremony: [3]
In Polybius' writings he saw the use or at least the practice of religion at that time was becoming a "superstition". There were those who reduced the wisdom of the ages to more mindless superstitions by unmooring the precepts from the metaphors and allegories of the wise. They believed in the symbols of the ancient stories rather than their wisdom.
Polybius saw the degeneration of the masses and the downfall of the republic a 150 years before the first Emperor of Rome and 175 years before the birth of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist.
Polybius used the term "superstition" to described what was seen as a mysterious establishment of "cause and effect". Many did not understand by reason nor personal revelation how the Law of nature and Natures' God worked. They believed an unseen spiritual realm had an influence on the world around and sought comfort against the unknown in the hope of incurring a divine ally who could protect them from "the dark".
The Greek goddess Tyche and the Roman Fortuna, according to the memes of mythology presided over the fate and fortune or prosperity and plight of the cities nof the people, as well as their personal destinies, both good and evil.
Blaming the misfortunes of life on God or gods rather than taking responsibility for our own choices has been one one the first memes and practices of man.[4]
While religion was originally a duty to god and your fellowman superstition was an abdication of that duty
Polybius saw this "superstition in ancient Rome" as an "instrumentum regni" a term used by Tacitus meaning "instrument of rulers". Tacitus said there is "No better instrument of good government than being good friends"[5] He used the phrase to express the exploitation of a form of legal religion by State as a means of controlling the masses. These practices of Public religion through legal charity degenerated the social bonds of communities and weakened the people to achieve political power and control over a more compliant population.
Public religion and legal charity could make the people extremely dependent upon the State and its free bread while they forgot the ancient ways of charity but clung to the symbols rather than their essence and meaning. The ancient ways were forgotten[6] as the people indulged in the dainties of the rulers often at the expense of their neighbors.
There has been a sacrifice of truth and the hands of Sophistry of those who would use the ignorance of people to control them by unmooring the meanings of the Memes of culture from their purpose.
What was the purpose of the golden calf?
It was not mere superstition that motivated them, but practicality and a lack of faith. The people literally deposited their gold on the altar of the golden calf. Gold was deposited into a large statue for all to see. The wealth and the community was melded together into a common purse. [7]
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Footnotes
- ↑ SUPERSTITION, noun [Latin superstitio, supersto; super and sto, to stand.]
1. Excessive exactness or rigor in religious opinions or practice; extreme and unnecessary scruples in the observance of religious rites not commanded, or of points of minor importance; excess or extravagance in religion; the doing of things not required by God, or abstaining from things not forbidden; or the belief of what is absurd, or belief without evidence.
Superstition has reference to god, to religion, or to beings superior to man.
2. False religion; false worship.
3. Rite or practice proceeding from excess of scruples in religion. In this sense, it admits of a plural.
4. Excessive nicety; scrupulous exactness.
5. Belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain extraordinary or singular events, or in omens and prognostics. - ↑ 1. religion in its most comprehensive sense, includes a belief in the being and perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man's obligation to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man's accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will or commands, is not religion
2. religion as distinct from theology, is godliness or real piety in practice, consisting in the performance of all known duties to God and our fellow men, in obedience to divine command, or from love to God and his law. James 1:26.
3. religion as distinct from virtue, or morality, consists in the performance of the duties we owe directly to God, from a principle of obedience to his will. Hence we often speak of religion and virtue, as different branches of one system, or the duties of the first and second tables of the law. - ↑ RITE, noun [Latin ritus.]
The manner of performing divine or solemn service as established by law, precept or custom; formal act of religion, or other solemn duty. The rites of the Israelites were numerous and expensive; the rites of modern churches are more simple. Funeral rites are very different in different countries. The sacrament is a holy rite - ↑ Genesis 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
- ↑ Nullum maius boni imperii instrumentum quam bonos amicos esse» Tacitus, Historiae, IV 7.
- ↑ Jeremiah 18:15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;
- ↑ “Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.” Proverbs 1:14-19