(1) Discussion: Superstitions
(2) Answers to random questions (if time permits)
P.S. Liu Yufan, pse remember we will have a video lesson in Week 8 on Tuesday, 28 October. Kindly find out whether we can get a media room for that class. Thank you.
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Well Li Fengxian, you have to differentiate between superstition and religion - the two are not the same thing. So, don't mix them up!
Superstition is based on false beliefs based on people's fears as they need protection and even "good luck" in life, and as they have no religion, they replace it by superstitions (rituals to address their fears and desires).
Whereas religion is a system of beliefs in, and worship of a supernatural power, because people have a natural (born with that) tendency to worship or acknowledge something or someone that created them and our universe.
The Buddhists believe that person is Buddha, the Muslims believe that that is Allah (or Mohammed), the Christians believe it is God through Jesus Christ; etc.
Most superstitious people are not really religious people, or my experience is that they have a false religion where they don't really believe their god can protect them and have supernatural powers; so, they are also superstitious to help them against their unbelief (which, of course, they wouldn't admit).
But I am surprised that you say that you believe in God as you are Chinese and most Chinese people don't, as they have been taught as children that God doesn't exist (that's what atheism falsely proclaims). So, I guess somewhere on your road of life your eyes opened to a truth of life!
About tomorrow's class,we will talk about the topic of superstition.I think China has many superstitions.In the long history,people made up many legends which includes some superstitions.For example,when a kid lose his tooth,the parents will throw his tooth on to the roof.And when people get marrige,they will use a stone to press a red paper on the cover of the well.This is because peope think there may be bad luck under the well.I actually don't believe in these things,but my grandmother and grandfather think that these things have some reasons.Maybe there exist some reasons in the world.I am too young,after all.May be there are many magical things that I can't see .But I believe that if one live himself normally and didn't do something terrible,there is nothing for him to be scare for. We can avoid these unlucky things,but don't need to be afriad of them,I think. By the way,I will order the media room tomorrow afternoon.Then I will text you a message and tell the students. Good night teacher!
Thank you, Liu Yufan, for a very good comment! You have impressed me much today! And thank you for explaining about the problem with the computers and the website. I realize that had probably a contributor to the under-average comments of the last few weeks. Glad to hear that at least you can all get on to the website from your own computers. But as you mentioned, the problem with Firefox is that it still doesn't open the attachments and you can't view the pictures. I can do that with Internet Explorer.
About the superstitions, I am glad to read that you are not a superstitious person! During my five years in China I've noticed so many superstitions. And I am quite surprised by that as China is not a religious country as they mostly don't believe in God (communism is atheist). But they have superstitions! It's my submission that that is a sign that they actually need God, but as they have rejected Him, they need something else to replace Him. Sad, but it maybe true. You can tell me in class what you think about this.
Oh, btw, why are you not in bed yet ...? Do you know how late it is?! ;-)
CC, what is that thing, "the Buggha"??? Never heard of it! Are you sure you don't mean 'the Buddha'? If that is what you meant, it has nothing to do with superstition, I believe. Buddhism (as started by Buddha) is a religion (which I don't support, but that is not the point here). But I do know that Buddhism is known as a very friendly and kind religion and its followers are known as doing good to people - that's why it is so attractive to westerners. However, that the Buddha can help people, leaves much to be desired (meaning, one can question it), because Buddha is a dead god and exists only as (a) statue(s) that people worship (and temples - which are just mere buildings). How can a dead god do miracles? I think it is all in the people's minds! So, I don't think your grandma is superstitious; she is just religious and she believes her religion helps her through life. ;-)
Yes Nancy, older people are often right about their feeling on some issue, but I also believe it is not because of some magical powers (or whatever). I think it is only because they have the life experience and often know better. We used to say in the west that "wisdom comes from the greyness" (meaning a person with grey hair is usually old and have much wisdom from life). But, I have to admit, there are exceptions and I often experience occasions where older people still have the foolish believes of the past just because that was how they grew up and were taught. :)
I think your opinion is absolutely correct, Yan Jingping, that superstitions are the result of fear and ignorance. You are so clever! But, have you ever thought about why people choose to be superstitious when they need protection (fear) and "good luck" in their lives? Ask Liu Yufan, I think she knows (i.e. if she believes the teacher!).
Yes Cynthia, I think you are correct in that the superstitions became Chinese habits over time. Too often I notice that even younger people (like you students) have the same superstitious beliefs as their parents without really questioning where it originated from (they don't ask questions in China; they just accept as truth what the older people say, whether false or not). I believe it is completely wrong (and even foolish) to do what others do without questioning why they do it and then deciding for myself whether it is true or false, good for me, or not, etc. ;-)
Ann, and now you are Hao Jia again! What is going on?! I gave you a reply when you were Wang Jiajia. So, if you want to read what I said to you, change into Wang Jiajia again. :)
Superstition is not completely wrong.Some of it came from the acient Chinese culture.Human beings used some traditional methods to deal with the problem in life.For example,in my chilhood,i have had a badly fever .The temperature of my body up to 40 degree centigrade.I took many times of injections.But it does not work at all.No matter taking injections or taking medicine,the temperature has not down.My parents felt really worried.Because if it does not down for too long . The fever may become worse and change into pneumonia.At last,with the idea of my grand-mother in law,she suggested my parents to buy some yellow paper to burn.She said it could help me to get rid of the sickness--the ghost.And finally,it worked magically.I felt maybe i had experienced death.From then on ,i deeply agreed on the words what that woman said.So i think the exist of it maybe reasonable.
Thanks for the comment, Kelly. Well, I'm not sure whether that was superstition that eventually brought the healing to you. I believe it was something else. Wang Jiajia had a similar experience from her childhood; see my reply to her. Even while it looked like the act of burning the paper helped in both cases, I am reluctant to believe that that was what brought the ultimate healing. I personally believe that God protects small children who can't fend for themselves (yes, I also know of occasions where small children were 'stolen' away by death; I can't explain or understand that myself, but I do believe and know that God's enemy steals away people's lives). I also know that Christians (even in China) would pray to God for healing of a child or another person, and often the healing would occur (in particular where the one doing the praying has a relationship with God; or where the one being prayed to, would have a childlike belief that the result would be as they wish). Be it as it may, as I told WJJ, we are also happy that you had victory in that very difficult time of your life and that you are with us in the class today! ;-)
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