Atheists: What superstitions do you still practice?

[stpauler]

Originally Posted by Brynda

you're confused that I rolled my eyes at Enkel's meritless retort?

[Brynda]

Originally Posted by stpauler

you're confused that I rolled my eyes at Enkel's meritless retort?

Yep. Looked to me like he was just agreeing with you and saying "oh, cool, I do that too!" Didn't see any meritlessness OR retort. What are you seeing that I missed?

[digs]

Originally Posted by Lasciel

I have so many damn rituals. I know they aren't anything but placebos, but hey - placebos do work!...

I'm a non-atheist, and we should be just as opposed to superstitions as "you folk". Maybe moreso, because when we give in to a ritual we're esentially saying "Hey, God, I don't really trust you or the world full of natural laws you've invented..."
And yet I always brush my teeth before an important football ("soccer") match.

[Nzinga, Seated]

Originally Posted by Brynda

Yep. Looked to me like he was just agreeing with you and saying "oh, cool, I do that too!" Didn't see any meritlessness OR retort. What are you seeing that I missed?

Yeah, I'm curious too. I don't understand the rolleyes.

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

As a die hard atheist I still always say the Sh'ma before a plane takes with myself or my family on it.

[Lasciel]

Originally Posted by IvoryTowerDenizen

As a die hard atheist I still always say the Sh'ma before a plane takes with myself or my family on it.

What's a Sh'ma? (honest question, I'd rather ask a person than ask Google.)

[clairobscur]

I go along with traditions. Although there are many more, I can think of only two at the moment :

-Don't cross arms with someone else while clinking glasses.

-Don't give/ accept a knife as a present without giving back a symbolic amount of money (making it a sale rather than a gift).




Also, you won't get me to enter a cemetery at night (or do similar things).

[Hilarity N. Suze]

There are superstitions and there are rituals. Sometimes they work the same way--to focus your attention, or to relax you, or to get you revved up.

I do try not to break mirrors. It may not be seven years of bad luck, but it's some bad luck because it has to be cleaned up and I'm probably the one doing it.

I never said "bless you" but "gesundheit" seems appropriate and, since it's German, it sounds funny in response to a sneeze, which also sounds funny.

Wait, I just realized I do have one, and it's a strange one. When I was a kid whenever we'd see a truck with hay on it--which was almost always on vacations, for some reason--my mother would say, "Load of hay, load of hay, make a wish then look away." I always wish to get home safely and then I work really hard not to look at the hay again, which is hard when it's in front of you. I still do this, but silently. And I still always see these damn loads of hay. Where is all this damn hay going, anyhow?

Also, when driving along the freeway, nobody in the car is allowed to comment on how well the traffic is moving, because to do so is to risk....gridlock!

Yeah, I don't fear gods or demons but I don't have a lot of trust in other drivers, apparently. And staying focused is a good idea when you're driving. Because they're all out to get you! Or at least, delay you.

[digs]

Originally Posted by Hilarity N. Suze

...Also, when driving along the freeway, nobody in the car is allowed to comment on how well the traffic is moving, because to do so is to risk....gridlock!

No one in the family knew that my wife had any superstitions, but near the end of a cross-country someone said "A whole week without bad traffic, and here we are breezing through Chicago!"
"Don't SAY that!"
"Umm...mom, you serious?"
"You'll jinx it!"
[snip: discussion of why that's silly, especially for Lutheran moms, but she just couldn't give up a favorite superstition]

So of course, I had to start jinxing up to eleven: "Y'know, we are pretty lucky we haven't had a meteorite crash into the road in front of us..." And everyone but Mom would flinch, acting like we're ready for the imminent impact.
The kids got very creative with the mundane (a cab full of terrorists cutting us off) to the absurd (pirate ship jack-knifing on I-94).

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

Originally Posted by Lasciel

What's a Sh'ma? (honest question, I'd rather ask a person than ask Google.)

Sorry- central and most significant Jewish prayer:

Hear O Israel, the lord our G-D the lord is one.

Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai eluhanu, Adonai echad. (echad is Hebrew for 'one').


It's what proclaimed Judaism as a monotheism back in the day.

[Brynda]

I have friends who do the whole "don't jinx it" thing, and it drives me crazy. You can't say anything positive without hearing something about jinxing.

Originally Posted by Nzinga, Seated

Yeah, I'm curious too. I don't understand the rolleyes.

Glad I am not the only one. Waiting to have my ignorance fought......

[Eyebrows 0f Doom]

Originally Posted by Brynda

Yep. Looked to me like he was just agreeing with you and saying "oh, cool, I do that too!" Didn't see any meritlessness OR retort. What are you seeing that I missed?

Because what Enkel posted is just normal behavior that all people should do, nothing to do with superstition. He either thought stpauler was joking that he doesn't like to sit in a wheelchair, or was poking fun at him, i.e. "You don't sit in wheelchairs? Well I don't park in handicapped spaces! I even put things back where they belong! How superstitious of me!"

[RickJay]

Always knock wood when stating a hypothetical that would be exceptionally bad.

When making a toast I never put my glass down without drinking.

If invited to a birthday party I have to eat some of the birthday cake even if it's a tiny smidgen no bigger than my fingernail; to not do so is bad luck for the birthday boy/girl.

And DON'T JINX IT.

[digs]

Boy, we sure are lucky Starvin' Artist hasn't popped into this thread to defend Joe Paterno...

[Nzinga, Seated]

Originally Posted by Eyebrows 0f Doom

Because what Enkel posted is just normal behavior that all people should do, nothing to do with superstition. He either thought stpauler was joking that he doesn't like to sit in a wheelchair, or was poking fun at him, i.e. "You don't sit in wheelchairs? Well I don't park in handicapped spaces! I even put things back where they belong! How superstitious of me!"

Oh! Ok. I get that. I thought Enkel meant, "Yeah, I think that able-bodied people who park in handicap spots are also tempting fate that they may end up disabled."

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

Originally Posted by Nzinga, Seated

Oh! Ok. I get that. I thought Enkel meant, "Yeah, I think that able-bodied people who park in handicap spots are also tempting fate that they may end up disabled."

That's how I took it too.

[Docta G]

None. I don't even accord concepts their own intrinsic rationality--an idea that is itself a vestige of religious thinking. Concepts constitue a scaffolding on the world that allows us to navigate it successfully, according to standards of success that are ours and ours alone.

[Brynda]

Originally Posted by Nzinga, Seated

Oh! Ok. I get that. I thought Enkel meant, "Yeah, I think that able-bodied people who park in handicap spots are also tempting fate that they may end up disabled."

Yeah, I took it that way, too. Certainly, lots of us use the handicapped stall.

[Lasciel]

Originally Posted by IvoryTowerDenizen

Sorry- central and most significant Jewish prayer:

Hear O Israel, the lord our G-D the lord is one.

Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai eluhanu, Adonai echad. (echad is Hebrew for 'one').


It's what proclaimed Judaism as a monotheism back in the day.

Ignorance fought! Thank you.

[Nature's Call]

I just became aware of another superstition/ritual. After using the <ahem> facilities, I spray making the sign of the cross. I don't remember why/when I started doing that.

This exorcism ritual does at least diminish the effectiveness of that particular class of demon.

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Jragon

I don't think embalming and burying is superstitious. Burying is one of the few sanitary things you can do with a corpse. I guess you could mulch it and feed it to the animals or use it as fertilizer or people food. I guess you could argue not doing one of those things is superstitious, but I'm not entirely sure.

Embalming preserves the corpse until burial can occur, it's, again, more sanitary than having it rot before burial.

In addition, in the long term it could be useful to future archaeologists to have at least some buried remains.

Book recommendation: The American Way of Death by Jessica Mitford

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Jragon

It probably would be fine to just throw it in a hole and cover it up, though I've heard that some bad gasses escape from graves dug that way occasionally. Honestly in the long run you're probably right, cremation would likely be better for the environment. We'd need less land for grave real estate, less wood for coffins, etc. It's probably rooted in superstition, but it's a bit difficult to tell where the line between superstition and tradition is.

The line that matters in all that is profit. For the funeral industry. It's why Americans do practically every thing they do related to after-death practices.

[tapu]

Originally Posted by clairobscur

I go along with traditions. Although there are many more, I can think of only two at the moment :

-Don't cross arms with someone else while clinking glasses.

-Don't give/ accept a knife as a present without giving back a symbolic amount of money (making it a sale rather than a gift).


Also, you won't get me to enter a cemetery at night (or do similar things).

I am always giving knives as gifts and everybody says, "Oh, you're not supposed to give a knife!" I never remember though, and sail blithely on to the next event with some spiffy cutlery tied up in a perky bow.

As for going in cemeteries, this has come up a lot for me recently. My dog is very reactive so I figured out that the best place to walk him is in the cemetery in the middle of the night.

This is a big, old (1700s on), spooky cemetery, unlit and often covered in mist. It's perfect.

But no one I know will ever go with us. Atheist friends say, Oh, I know, it shouldn't matter but I'm too afraid. What could they possibly be afraid of?? Now that to me is superstitious throw-back.

[MacTech]

Originally Posted by tapu

I am always giving knives as gifts and everybody says, "Oh, you're not supposed to give a knife!" I never remember though, and sail blithely on to the next event with some spiffy cutlery tied up in a perky bow.

As for going in cemeteries, this has come up a lot for me recently. My dog is very reactive so I figured out that the best place to walk him is in the cemetery in the middle of the night.

This is a big, old (1700s on), spooky cemetery, unlit and often covered in mist. It's perfect.

But no one I know will ever go with us. Atheist friends say, Oh, I know, it shouldn't matter but I'm too afraid. What could they possibly be afraid of?? Now that to me is superstitious throw-back.

Zombies! Your freinds are wisely avoiding a potential source for zombies

[clairobscur]

Originally Posted by tapu

This is a big, old (1700s on), spooky cemetery, unlit and often covered in mist. It's perfect.

But no one I know will ever go with us. Atheist friends say, Oh, I know, it shouldn't matter but I'm too afraid. What could they possibly be afraid of?? Now that to me is superstitious throw-back.

Yes, you're right. My reason for not giving a knife without getting a symbolic coin in exchange (or similar stuff, just remembered another one : tossing the first crepe on fat tuesday with a gold coin in hand for wealth, or jumping over St John's fire) is really that I enjoy sticking with traditions and keeping them alive, not that I think anything bad (or good) will happen.

On the other hand, my fear of entering a cemetary is real and definitely superstition.

[tapu]

Is it fear of live people or dead people (or something else) that keeps non-superstitious people away from cemeteries?

[Enkel]

Originally Posted by Brynda

Yeah, I took it that way, too. Certainly, lots of us use the handicapped stall.

It's fine if people want to say that avoiding handicap reserved features (parking space, toilets, etc) is not a superstition. I have no problem with that.

I avoid them because I feel like it will bring on bad circumstances in my life and there isn't any proven cause/effect, only a belief behind it. For me it is a bit like a phobia in the sense that I just won't do it (and, yes I've had spats with people who say 'Just use that stall, why are you waiting? We're in a hurry!')

I saw the eyeroll and it didn't bother me. I just quit reading the thread. I've returned because someone pm'd to ask for a clarification on my statement and it took me a couple days to notice the message thingy.

So to be clear, you can call it what ever you like. If the post offends, then you can even have it removed. It won't hurt my feelings because it is just a quirk in my personality and I don't feel a need to defend it.

I apologize for any confusion.

[Enkel]

Originally Posted by tapu

Is it fear of live people or dead people (or something else) that keeps non-superstitious people away from cemeteries?

In this day and age, it's probably the effect of horror movies that portray strange things happening in cemeteries. I saw Carrie as a kid and you can't help but remember the last scene when walking around graves.

As a kid, I also saw a movie about a car that attacked people. To this day, I'm nervous anytime I'm in front of or behind a vehicle. It doesn't help that I've had trouble with my truck's transmission and it did slip out of park and pin me to a gate one time.

But for me, these are not superstitions, simply bad associations.

[kayaker]

Originally Posted by tapu

Is it fear of live people or dead people (or something else) that keeps non-superstitious people away from cemeteries?

Creeeepy Compost Pile.

[Learjeff]

I go to church.

OK, not very often.

[Learjeff]

OH, I do have a superstition. I almost forgot.

I never say "OK, the bugs are all fixed; this will work."

And I never put the cover on something before testing it (unless necessary for safety reasons). If there's anything that the gods hate, it's hubris.

[tapu]

I finally thought of one i do. Whenever tiny son goes out to ride his bike, i call out "Dont get killed!" i figure what are the chances, after that?

[clairobscur]

Originally Posted by tapu

Is it fear of live people or dead people (or something else) that keeps non-superstitious people away from cemeteries?

Dead people, in my case. Especially since I was thinking of the villages' cemeteries in the countryside where I was brought up (where it's highly unlikely anybody could be present at night), not about a cemetary in the middle of Paris, for instance. When I think of it, I wouldn't be nearly as affraid of a Paris cemetary. Not sure why.

[clairobscur]

Originally Posted by Enkel

In this day and age, it's probably the effect of horror movies that portray strange things happening in cemeteries. .

In my case, that's probably more folktales (I was an avid reader of them as a kid, even though some terrified me) rather than movies (There wasn't even a TV in the house, and the nearest movie theater was 20 km away. Without car.).


On afterthought that might be the reason why I don't care that much about urban cemeteries. Tales (or horror movies) are generally evocative of old countryside cemeteries, not of the nicely arranged rows of tombs in a modern urban one.

[tapu]

OUR (mine and my dog's cemetery) is a big old New England cemetery, with elaborate grave markers to the sky and others just flat tablets. They even lean every which way! There are some above-ground crypts. As cemeteries go, it has a lot going for it. You can't see outside it when you're walking in it.

I told my dog once that it was a Pet Semetary. You should have seen the look on his face!

[Vihaga]

I do the salt throwing thing. The idea of the devil lurking behind my shoulder and getting a pinch of salt in the eye is freaking hilarious!


I enjoy a lot of superstitious/ new age-y things (knocking on wood, reading about weird remedies, ideas, and "spiritual" crap, trying ayurvedic stuff), the more ridiculous the better. It drives my husband crazy because he doesn't get why I would participate in things I obviously don't believe in. I think I just really enjoy ritual, and my lifestyle has very little outlet for it.

[amanset]

Before I open the door to let the cat out, I stroke him and say "you be a good boy outside now". If I don't do this something bad WILL happen.

I have taught the new girlfriend to do this as well.

[aspnyc]

Originally Posted by gracer

I like saying "bless you" for sneezes. It's nice, meaningless, but nice. In portuguese there is no way of saying "sleep well" other than "sleep with god", so I say that.

I've had more than one person tell me "dorme bem". I'd guess you can use that.

[Loach]

Sunday was my Father's birthday. Saturday was the anniversary of his death. He always played his 4 digit birthday as a pick 4 number on his birthday. One year he forgot and it hit for about $2000. Ever since his death I have always played that number on those 2 days. Part tribute part superstition. I just know it will come out if I forget to play.

[Barking Dog]

I buy lottery tickets on a semi-regular basis. Not really a superstition, exactly, but I think it falls in the same area. I also still pick up found pennies, not just because "hey! free money!", but because I hope that they'll actually attract luck. But it's only good luck if it is face up. If face down, then it's just a free penny.

Recently, I was reminded of a local legend that freaked me the hell out as a child (la lechuza) and has made me a little bit afraid of the dark again, so I've begun carrying packets of salt in my pocketses. You know, just in case.

[Loach]

Originally Posted by Barking Dog

I buy lottery tickets on a semi-regular basis. Not really a superstition, exactly, but I think it falls in the same area. I also still pick up found pennies, not just because "hey! free money!", but because I hope that they'll actually attract luck. But it's only good luck if it is face up. If face down, then it's just a free penny.

Recently, I was reminded of a local legend that freaked me the hell out as a child (la lechuza) and has made me a little bit afraid of the dark again, so I've begun carrying packets of salt in my pocketses. You know, just in case.

I throw a few bucks down on the big games just because of the dream of big payouts. I only play the pick 3 and 4 on certain days for superstitious reasons.

[BigT]

I'm not an atheist, but I do try to avoid superstitions (save for those atheists would say are related to my religion). However, there is one thing I take for granted: Murphy's law. And, more importantly, I use it to my advantage. If I plan something, it seems less likely to happen. I just can't help but believe it.

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by tapu

The line that matters in all that is profit. For the funeral industry. It's why Americans do practically every thing they do related to after-death practices.

Bullshit. Are some funeral directors crooked? Of course. But the majority truly want to help people deal with their grief and are willing to work with those on a budget. (We're not talking about people who want the whole dog and pony show but claim they can't possibly pay for it, and want freebies, of course, but you run into that in any industry)

Funerals are for the living.

[Sleel]

Basically none, aside from basic polite sayings which are cultural rituals rather than a belief system. I don’t say “god damn it” because I believe Jahweh will smite the offending object with lighting, I say it because that’s one of the things you say in English when you’re pissed off.

I have no OCD tendencies or whatever it is that seems to cause people distress when they don’t do something the “right” way. Any habits I have were established for good reasons and could be changed with no emotional distress if there was a need to do things a different way. It’s not that I’m coldly rational about everything, I just don’t get any comfort from pointless rituals and it’s really odd to me that there are so many supposedly rational people who do.

[-getitrite]

Only for safety reason, never walk under a ladder, and on sneezing its been your forgiven, I'm not good at giving blessings. The walking on cracks, we she broke my back so why shouldn't I get her.
Finding money, well beggars shouldn't be picky. I have a black cat, and my ex-husbands birthday was the 13th. The use of salt is probably the only thing that would be considered a superstition, but having used it to ward off evil in many ways and on many people I'll keep that and how to do it properly for myself, this is very old knowledge, from very knowledgable sources.

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Guinastasia

Bullshit. Are some funeral directors crooked? Of course. But the majority truly want to help people deal with their grief and are willing to work with those on a budget. (We're not talking about people who want the whole dog and pony show but claim they can't possibly pay for it, and want freebies, of course, but you run into that in any industry)

Funerals are for the living.

You dont think the funeral director is first and foremost a business person? Ever seen one sell down?

But If a $15k casket helps you with your grief, then by all means "upgrade" from the $7k one. A lot of people grieving are too vulnerable to consider it--and theyre only told abt the 15k.

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by tapu

You dont think the funeral director is first and foremost a business person? Ever seen one sell down?

But If a $15k casket helps you with your grief, then by all means "upgrade" from the $7k one. A lot of people grieving are too vulnerable to consider it--and theyre only told abt the 15k.

Who said they weren't? But the implication that all funeral directors are greedy and only want to take advantage of those who are grieving is an insult.

A lot of funeral homes are owned by corporations nowadays -- the old family run businesses aren't as common as they once were.