According to David Bailey, it was with Pliny's usage of the word Magic that came close to superstition. The charge of being superstitious was first leveled by Roman authorities on their Christian subjects. In turn early Christian writers pronounced all Roman and Pagan cults to be superstitious, and worshiping false Gods, fallen angels and demons. With Christian usage, almost all forms of magic became forms of superstition .[9][10][11]
One view, first propounded by Enlightenment philosophers, asserts that the Church's doctrines are entirely superstitious and have hindered the progress of civilization. Communist states have made similar arguments in their education in order to inculcate a negative view of Catholicism (and religion in general) in their citizens. The most famous incidents cited by such critics are the Church's condemnations of the teachings of Copernicus, Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler.[citation needed]
Because of the focus on reason over superstition, the Enlightenment cultivated the arts.[12] Emphasis on learning, art and music became more widespread, especially with the growing middle class. Areas of study such as literature, philosophy, science, and the fine arts increasingly explored subject matter to which the general public, in addition to the previously more segregated professionals and patrons, could relate.[13]
László Sándor Chardonnens classifies Prophecy under topic of divination; examples being the prophets of the Old Testament, biblical typological allegory, the fifteen signs before Judgement Day, and the many prophecies expressed by saints.; Chardonnens further points out that since many aspects of religious experience are tied up with prophecy, church condones the same.[20] Chardonnens says, one could differentiate between those kinds of prophecy which are (1) inspired by God or Satan and their minions; (2) “gecyndelic”; and (3) “wiglung” examples —lacking divine or infernal inspiration and not “gecyndelic” either. But practically, however, most, if not all, words relating to prophecy ought to be interpreted as inspired.[20]
In the UK there is a superstitious belief in the "Seven Whistlers" which are seven mysterious birds or spirits who call out to foretell death or a great calamity. In the 19th century, large groups of coal miners were known to have refused to enter the mines for one day after hearing this spectral whistling. The Seven Whistlers have been mentioned in literature such as The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser, as bearing an omen of death. William Wordsworth included fear of the Seven Whistlers in his poem, "Though Narrow Be That Old Man's Cares". The superstition has been reported in the Midlands of England but also in Lancashire, Essex, Kent, and even in other places such as North Wales and Portugal.[21][22][23][24]
See also: Blasphemy law |
Main article: Weeping crucifix in Mumbai |
In March 2012, Sanal Edamaruku investigated a report that a crucifix at Our Lady of Velankanni church in Mumbai was dripping water from the feet.[25] This incident, though not claimed by the Catholic Church as a miracle,[26] was believed by locals to be one. Research by Edamaruku indicated that the dripping was caused by capillary action from a clogged drain..
Edamaruku mocked the Catholic Church, calling it "anti-science", and made fun of the Pope, during his appearance on a television show held to discuss the investigation. A Catholic lawyer asked Edamaruku to apologise whilst on television, but he did not, so in April 2012, the Catholic Secular Forum[27] in Mumbai filed a complaint under Section 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code in several police stations around the city.[25][28]
The All India Catholic Union said the law was being applied incorrectly.[29] Colin Gonsalves, the founder of the India Center for Human Rights and Law, stated his opinion that no criminal offence had been committed.[30] There were further complaints that the law was being misused to suppress free speech.[31] Others spoke in his defense publicly, such as Vishal Dadlani,[32] and James Randi.[33] The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bombay issued statements that called for Edamaruku to apologise and for the prosecution to drop the charges, although the Catholic Church is not associated with the criminal charges.[34]
On 31 July 2012 Edamaruku moved to Finland. When fellow campaigner Narendra Dabholkar was murdered in 2013, Edamaruku felt returning could put his life in peril. Edamaruku said, "I would do it again. Because any miracle which has enormous clout at one moment, is simply gone once explained. It's like a bubble. You prick it and it is finished."[31]
Encyclopædia of Superstitions, Folklore, and the Occult Sciences of the World: Volume III. United States, University Press of the Pacific, 2003. Page 1527
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