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The significance of '''superstition''' to the conflict between [[Naturalism]] and [[Creationism]] relates to one definition: "a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge . . ." [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Superstition%20] Naturalism is a philosophy that does not give a direct answer to why the earth and its life exists and many standard models of evolution, which are built upon Naturalism, rely heavily on speculations rather than upon knowledge. Creationism, however, relies on reason and purpose for existence; in addition, creative events, however sketchy, are known from Genesis. A superstition is not normally recognized as a weakness by those of the culture in which it exists. Individuals of the culture may hold various degrees of belief in it but they do not usually see it as especially deficient. It usually requires one from outside the culture to recognize the tradition as a superstition. According to ''[[Searching for Ropens]]'', the superstitious nature of [[universal common ancestry]] is revealed by comparing it to a transformation legend told to the author by a native of [[Umboi Island]], [[Papua New Guinea]]. The [[ropen]] (apparently a real creature on this island) is said by the story-tellers to transform itself: It changes into a snake or into a man and then changes back into a ropen. Although no eyewitnesses mentioned anything to American explorers about transformations, the legends have been assimilated into the island culture because the seclusive nocturnal ropen is rarely seen except at a distance at night: islanders accept questionable legends because the alternative is admitted ignorance of a strange creature that flies around the mountains and over the reefs. Most Westerners would have little difficulty perceiving this transformation legend as a superstition; they do not, however, recognize the superstitious nature of a commonly-taught Western idea: that billions of years ago a tiny microbe began changing into what would become all the mammals and other living things now on the earth. ==The church and Superstition== According to The [[Wall Street Journal]], 31% of people who never attend a house of worship express a strong belief in the occult. Compared that to the 8% of active church going who believe in the occult. It would seem that going to church reduces the belief in the irrational. [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html] ==References== * [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html Look Who's Irrational Now] by Mollie Ziegler Hemingway [[Category:Philosophy]]

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