Superstition

I don't even know why I'm typing this. I mean, maybe I should have done it on my own blog but then I guess this IS the most appropriate place for this post since I'm searching for some answers and maybe some views.

Before I begin, let me apologise in advance for being the irritating person that I am who just CANNOT accept things the way they are and go all out to prove others wrong.

So while I was in China last December and obviously they brought us to all these shops selling jade and precious stones some of which, when carved into particular shapes are supposed to 'bring luck'. I'm not superstitious and anyway not of their religion so of course, I don't believe in such things. And while other Singaporeans maybe believe in it, I certainly don't.

But here comes the issue. If you want to buy the precious stones that have been carved into no symbolic shape whatsoever just simply because you like their colour and their shape and not for the 'luck' that it claims to bring, then is it wrong? In my opinion, it isn't. If the shapes aren't carved into the idol or another religion and are jsut let's say, a plain sphere or cube strung together, then it could also be used as an accessory right?

I mean, we use diamonds as jewellery. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, GOLD.... All have been used by the ancient Egyptians to decorate statues of their many 'gods and goddesses' and also to decorate the coffins of their pharaohs(correct spelling if I'm wrong) for the afterlife. Just because the Egpytians used these jewels that are so commonly valued today in their religious practices doesn't DISallow us to use it as just jewellery and nothing more.

Because, seriously, I don't there is ANTHING wrong with using a gem/stone used in a culture for superstitions and religious practices that we don't believe in for the use in our own jewellery or simply because we like it.

We CANNOT discriminate any gem/stones and refuse to use it just because so-and-so religion is using it in their practices and because they use it and their religion is against Christianity Christians cannot use it. God created ALL the gems and stones on earth. It is purely HUMAN activities that have superstition-alized them and turned them into religious symbols. But suppose we DON'T believe in those religious symbols? Then there's nothing wrong with admiring their colour and shape and buying them as un-religious jewellery because every gem is, after all, created by God.

If we can appreciate and admire those majestic peaks of mountains that are God's work and the beautiful limestone caves, there is not reason why we CAN'T see beyond the stones stereotyped by a culture to be superstitious and learn to appreciate and admire it as a form of God's work and art as well.

Some people are like, "No, don't buy the stones even if you want it as simple jewellery because others may think that you're superstitious since you own one." So in the end it's all a question of acceptance and not so much religious belief? If other's think you're superstitious just tell them you aren't. If they don't believe you, then why are you even friends with them in the first place? There aren't worth your friendship! As long as you're certain you never want it because it 'brings luck' and treat it like any other jewel/stone then I don't see how it will affect your faith or your belief in God.

The stone, is, after all, just a stone like any other stone.

I just wish people would be more open minded.

Cheerio!
---Kerryn(though I'm pretty sure you could guess who I am since I'm the only person boliao enough to talk about these kind of things)