Metal Ware

Why is the world still superstitious?

One would think that by the 21st Century that people would begin to think a little more scientifically. Excluding religion, people now believe in copper bracelets and crystals that heal and prevent pain, concepts of “Chi” and universal energy that have never actually been measured, Scientology, numerology, astrology, UFOs and aliens, good luck charms hanging from car mirrors, and other nonsense that has never been proven by a shred of logical evidence.

First off, in the 21st century we are more scientifically minded than in say 1907. But we still don’t know everything, and that’s where faith comes in, hence the religions, and other “superstitions” you dismiss. There has been some evidence that these spiritual cures do aid in healing, if only because of their positive psychological effect. Since pain has both a physical and psychological element, and science has yet to conquer it, why knock something that’s harmless.

And despite being in the 21st century, science can’t prove everything – there are many theories, particularly those of nuclear physics, that we’re just taking on faith right now. Just because something can’t be proven doesn’t mean it’s not so. So if science hasn’t proved something, who are you (or I) to object when a little faith jumps into the void?

Now, if instead of deriding others’ relatively harmless beliefs, like good luck charms, you were to critique practices that are harmful despite loads of scientific evidence, like for example Christian Scientists refusal to accept allopathic medicine, then you have a valid point.