101. Christopher Hitchens on Religion

Comment #39719 by HappyPrimate on May 11, 2007 at 6:10 pm

This was a very good interview. The guests were amazingly appreciative of Hitchens book. The come back to Rev Munsey on the illness cured by prayer of Munseys daughter was priceless.

102. French Muslim women opt for hymen surgical cons

Comment #39717 by HappyPrimate on May 11, 2007 at 6:07 pm

I wish there was a physical way to tell if a male was a virgin. Can you imagine if males had to account for their sexual activity or lack thereof at marriage? Frankly, I do not believe in marriage in any circumstance. It serves as a mechanism for a feeling of ownership of another person which is ghastly.

103. Lou Dobbs w/ Hitchens on Al Sharpton's Bigoted Remark

Comment #39715 by HappyPrimate on May 11, 2007 at 5:57 pm

Salvatore - Thank you so much for that link to the NPR interview. That was more like it. Hitchens was on his game in that one. I was amazed that the theologians were so kind to his book. I have it on order but haven't read it yet. This interview has really made me anxious to get it.

104. A Bunch of Monkeys

Comment #39706 by HappyPrimate on May 11, 2007 at 4:41 pm

While the use of the term of monkeys may not be considered officially correct, this was so to the point of our arrogance of thinking we are special and apart from the natural world. I very much enjoyed the clip.

105. Lou Dobbs w/ Hitchens on Al Sharpton's Bigoted Remark

Comment #39703 by HappyPrimate on May 11, 2007 at 4:30 pm

Thank you CruciFiction for the link to the entire interview. After watching the interview, I was not very impressed. I was disappointed that Al Sharpton decided he was going to defend a deist position instead of his supposed Xian faith position. He kept to the you cannot prove he/she/it doesn't exist position and Hitchens just couldn't argue his position well enough and in fact winds up agreeing with him on, in my opinion, too many points.

106. Those fanatical atheists

Comment #38087 by HappyPrimate on May 7, 2007 at 12:09 am

Terrific article and well organized. Great rebuttal for the Stalin farce. For myself, I adore the tones of Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens. Sweet music to my ears.

107. The moment a teenage girl was stoned to death for loving the wrong boy

Comment #37726 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 2:35 pm

Response to _J_
I do think that passage might have saved a couple of lives but there are still too many who think they are righteous enough to cast that stone.
Fairly recently I decided to put a Darwin fish (with legs) on the back of my car. As I placed it there, my hand began to shake and I realized that I was afraid - afraid of having my car damaged, afraid of having insults hurled at me or worse. I did it anyway and so far (3 months) it has only been ripped from my car once. Since it did not break, I glued it back on. Although I do not fear any god, I do fear those who believe they are entitled to do what they believe is his bidding. I am surrounded by them and it can be frightening. I also recently revealed to several friends I lunched with quite often that I was an atheist. I didn't bring it up but was asked a question regarding religion. I saw utter horror in their faces. I am no longer welcome to lunch with them. So I lunch alone now. I wish I could flee to a place of sanity and I already live in the U.S.

108. The moment a teenage girl was stoned to death for loving the wrong boy

Comment #37698 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 1:29 pm

Response To Fanusi K
You are deceived by your Xian Fundie friends if you believe they condem this sort of thing. They condem Islamics doing it, but in their hearts if they are truly fundamentalists, they believe the literal truth of their bible and that book condons stoning women. They may tell you that the New Testament says to forgive the sinner and cast not the first stone unless you are sinless yourself, but if they were in a crowd with other fundies and there was condemnation of someone for a stoning offence, and they didn't think the police would catch them, they'd do it. If you think differently - then you can have your delusion. I live where the KKK is alive and well. I have seen what these people are capable of.

109. My response to the GOP evolution question

Comment #37686 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 1:13 pm

Really like the video. I watched it on YouTube, rated it, favored it and commented. Hope it gets lots of views.
Thanks Brian.

110. Ape gestures 'show human links'

Comment #37681 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 1:02 pm

I am not ashamed to be part of the primate family. It has always been very obvious to me that we and the chimps were related. I remember saying so to my parents at the zoo when I was 6 years old. Hey - they are just like us except they have more hair. Out of the mouths of babes comes the honest truth. Frans de Waal has written several wonderful books on his studies with Chimps and Bonobos. Great reading.

111. The kiss that brought immorality debate to a head

Comment #37677 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 12:55 pm

Isn't is so wonderful that kissing can get you into so much trouble. Richard Gere is is trouble for that kiss he gave in India as well. But stoning and beheading is acceptable and virtuous. Nice morals.

112. God Exists. A Formula Proves it.

Comment #37666 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 12:37 pm

I am so glad most of you did not miss the irony of the tornado at the end. I was alway told a tornado is the finger of God upon the earth. Must have been wiping out some bad sinners. No really I am so ashamed that the University would allow this man to put forth such a proclamation of evidence without it being tested by anyone else in the field of physics. What does Steve Hawking have to say about this? Has this been peer reviewed? Come on - how can this get media coverage as fact?

113. The moment a teenage girl was stoned to death for loving the wrong boy

Comment #37652 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 12:25 pm

While I cannot bring myself to watch this inhumane act I can imagine the scene well enough. It seems that the violence against women does not rate very high on the DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS scale in the world. So very sad. Many tears. And don't think the Xian fundies think this is wrong.

I must echo JackR
And still we'll hear the religious and the weak atheists saying "Why do you care? Why can't you live and let live? Why can't you let people alone with their beliefs?"

This is why we care, idiots.

114. Republican candidates range from ignorant to dishonest

Comment #37637 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 12:06 pm

The Republicans will say anything they think will get them elected, as will most politicians. Difference is the Republicans have a nefarious agenda and if you have not picked up on it yet then you are deaf and blind. They have been cooking up this scheme since the mid-1980s and it still is going on even though several of the architects have stuck their foot in it and have been caught. Enriching themselves and their friends and untimately World rule. There is a reason that party likes to pull out the guns and threaten other countries to do it our way or die. The Democrats are portrayed as wimps, but at least they don't go off half-cocked invading other countries without just and reasonable cause.

115. Lou Dobbs Interviews Christopher Hitchens

Comment #37613 by HappyPrimate on May 5, 2007 at 11:20 am

I have always like Lou Dobbs on CNN better than any of the mass media reporters on any of the 24-hour news channels. He is the only one who, in my opinion, comes off as geniune in what he spouts. Some may not agree with his stance, but he honestly tries to back up what he says. He also really listens to people. Still, I was not expecting the interview with CH to be so sweet. Nice surprise.

116. 4 Sermon for Matins: 'Dawkins and The God Delusion'

Comment #37237 by HappyPrimate on May 3, 2007 at 8:04 pm

Theists cannot grasp the conception of the invented entity they call their god is not in reality an entity in any shape or form whatsoever. Their arguments are based on trying to support a deluded idea that they are supporting the virtues of this (illusionary) entity against our agruments which they interpret as saying that he is bad. Their idea of the contention is:
Theists say - We think god is good.
Atheists say - We think god is bad.
That is not the argument and the theist cannot and do not get it at all that we simply do not acknowledge or think their god exists, good or bad. They insist on singing his virtues. But what virtue can there be in something that does not and has never existed? So silly and very said.

117. Your favorite book in the last 25 years?

Comment #37225 by HappyPrimate on May 3, 2007 at 6:30 pm

1. The Demon Haunted World, by Carl Sagan
2. The God Delusion, by RD
3. Lucy, by Donald Johansen
4. End of Faith, by Sam Harrish
5. Guns, Germs & Steele, by Jared Diamond

Those are my top favorites, but there are many many more which are worthy.

118. Kennedy lectures on challenges facing K-12 science education

Comment #35256 by HappyPrimate on April 26, 2007 at 6:10 pm

Interesting article. I do not think anyone here would dispute the crisis we have in our public (and religious private) schools. I graduated HS in 1970 and received very little science education. I had to take it upon myself as an adult to learn. Fortunately people like Carl Sagan were writing books for the general public. Reading those books sparked my interest in science. History and geography needs a good boost as well.

119. Fighting Words: A wartime lexicon

Comment #34978 by HappyPrimate on April 25, 2007 at 7:57 pm

Since I really enjoy listening to Mr. Hitchens speak I ordered his book as an audio book (8 CD Roms). If anyone wants to do the same, it is available at AudioEditions.com. Should be here next week.

120. Here Comes the Fourth Musketeer.

Comment #33784 by HappyPrimate on April 21, 2007 at 6:54 pm

I can appreciate the fact that Mr. Hitchens is controversial but I do like that he speaks his mind regardless of what others may think of him. Most of us are afraid to voice our true feelings if they go against the grain and might cause us to be subject to ridicule. He knows he may not be right, but that is what he thinks about the subject. I have enjoyed the videos posted of him and do not agree with all he says or how he says it but somehow - I like him.

To Brian - Loved your video on YouTube. Good stuff.

121. Sam's Flea!

Comment #32918 by HappyPrimate on April 18, 2007 at 5:44 pm

These books are so predictable. I'd like to see how the flea authors would react if some Islamic cleric decided to write a flea or two on their books. That would be interesting.

122. New Primate Species Found In 42 Million-year-old Texas Fossils

Comment #32620 by HappyPrimate on April 17, 2007 at 3:44 pm

Fascinating article on this early primate. Living on the present coast of the Gulf of Mexico I couldn't help noting the article stated -- that the middle Eocene shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico lay 150 miles inland of its present position, Westgate said. -- which has me wondering if with the global warming trend, might the shoreline revert to its middle Eocene mark?

BTW - I also agree with Ev3nt H0riz0n and DavidJMH regarding the trend in postings.

123. Hey Mom, I'm an Atheist

Comment #31276 by HappyPrimate on April 11, 2007 at 8:56 pm

Whether it was a set up or not, if I had told my mother that I was an atheist while living at home, she would have beat me senseless or until I said otherwise. Opinions other than my mother's were not tolerated. Fortunately I didn't tell her until I was over 50 years old. Best she could do was to ask me Who do you appeal to? I said no one and nothing. I find it hard to discuss the whys and wherefores with those who have not at least read Darwin.

124. Crucifixion 'makes God into a psychopath'

Comment #30237 by HappyPrimate on April 7, 2007 at 10:12 am

Blood sacrifice for atonement from the ancient perspective, spilling of blood, especially from the most valuable of the community, to atone or apease a god or gods goes very far back in antiquity. Xians ignore the fact that it is not their invention but a carry over from the ancient pagan tribal ways. The silly Spanish were appalled at the blood sacrifices of the South Americans, not equating those they witnessed with their own belief in blood sacrifice. Question for me is why did blood sacrifice become so popular among humans? Did it begin with animals and progress to fellow humans? When and why?

125. The Selfish Green

Comment #29798 by HappyPrimate on April 4, 2007 at 7:33 pm

Yorker said "Don't worry about the Earth Veronique, it's survived much worse in the past. Once it has got rid of us, or we've got rid of us, it'll heal itself and another species will get their shot." I agree wholeheartedly with that statement. I tell people all the time when they seem to think humans so important, that just imagine the planet without humans - it would do just fine - probably much better. Now imagine the planet with just humans - no plants or other animal species. We would die. We are not important to the planet, the planet with all its biodiversity is important to us! I think we humans are in for a very large population correction by nature itself. It may come in the form of a pandemic, climate change drought and starvation or some other form or combinatin thereof but it will come because this planet cannot sustain our numbers as they climb unchecked. I just hope I am gone before it happens. Gotta love Jane! Richard was terrific and the other panel members were very interesting.

126. In the Beginning

Comment #28778 by HappyPrimate on March 30, 2007 at 6:49 pm

Very interesting interview. I admire the interviewer for her self control with the loonies. She was obviously very frustrated with them but kept her cool very well. I think we will get no where with these people until we can discredit fully their books. That is their only platform to stand on and without their silly old books, they would be nowhere and have nothing to stand on for arguement.

127. Hell is real and eternal: Pope

Comment #28340 by HappyPrimate on March 28, 2007 at 8:08 pm

If hell is a state of mind, then we can decide whether to go there or not ourselves and only while we live and breathe. However, I do agree that it is within the power of some to create hellish conditions for others. I was first told I would go to hell by the boy next door, who was catholic. I, being raised as a baptist, had not been christened as a baby which meant my soul was not saved. I was about five years old. This terrified me at first. Then I got the good news from my mother that it was not I who would go to hell but all catholics because they worshipped idols and thought the Pope, saints and Mary devine. Later, at age nine, I learned about the Inquisition imposed by catholics and refused to play with my catholic school mates. At that point, some moderation had to be done as I was convinced that all catholics were devils. It was interesting to see my parents have to rethink their indoctrination methods so I would not embarrass them in public. I am so glad that as I grew into an adult I also became curious enough to start digging for evidence and truth on my own. Back-tracking takes place in all religions when they run into brick walls. It is part of what makes them so ridiculous.

128. Snake Oil and Holy Water

Comment #28331 by HappyPrimate on March 28, 2007 at 7:01 pm

minstrel said "I think you are overestimating the intelligence level of your average Joe. Dawkins appeals to people of relatively high education, income and intelligence. A narrow demographic."

Well here I am a high school graduate in south Louisiana who doesn't make very much $$. I do however have a mind and I use it. I read a lot, including Dr. Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Edward O. Wilson, Carl Sagan, Jared Diamond and many others. I seem to be able to appreciate them all very well. All one needs is a thirst for knowledge, not necessarily a higher education level or income. I very much appreciate Dr. Dawkins and others not sitting around knowing what they know and not sharing it, but instead putting it out for public consumption. In fact we need more of the same and hopefully it is forthcoming.

129. Cold is hot in evolution -- Researchers debunk belief species evolve faster in tropics

Comment #26099 by HappyPrimate on March 16, 2007 at 8:07 pm

This article brings to mind the fact that the Inuit tribes (while not a separate species of homo sapiens) have already developed traits such as being able to work bare-handed in icy water that I, as most of other people who have lived in temporate climates for generations, could not stand for a moment. If their population was separated from others for a million years, would they not become a new species? Would they not also develop gene mutations that allow them other advantages to survive in artic climate? Or is that nonsense? Evolution (natural selection) works when the genes are successful in mutating to the point that they are advantageous to the living host so that it can survive, multiply and thrive in the particular environment it finds itself in. Harsher environments put gene mutation under stress to adapt or die. I think that is what is being said.

130. Free Speech

Comment #25694 by HappyPrimate on March 14, 2007 at 6:25 pm

Hitchins - A far braver human than I. I do envy his forthright manner, no holes barred. Sort of reminds me of my Grandma. She would speak her mind about anything to anybody. Sure do admire that fortitude. Wish more of us had it too, including me. Think I'll watch it again now.

131. Non-believers can be bigoted too

Comment #25676 by HappyPrimate on March 14, 2007 at 5:14 pm

Did you know that World War II veterans recall that Nazi soldiers had "Gott Mit Uns" ("God With Us") on their uniforms? Of interest you might find

Don't Tolerate Intolerance
A syndicated columnist vilifies the nonreligious. Humanists won't tolerate this hate speech.
http://www.humaniststudies.org/enews/?id=288&article=1

132. Turkey: Creationism Documentary

Comment #25501 by HappyPrimate on March 13, 2007 at 8:37 pm

Evolution discredited???? When, where and how???? Observable evidence of creation???? I have never seen nor have I ever heard of anyone seeing some living thing created out of dirt or from a rib. If I ever see that, I will change my stance. Also, if there was a god creating things from nothing but dirt and bones, why sex? So silly and so frightening are these people.

133. Science, Faith, and Evolution

Comment #25012 by HappyPrimate on March 9, 2007 at 5:01 pm

He is trying to tie his delusion into scientific facts. Can't say I didn't try that once myself. I hold some hope for him. If he can at least interest people in evolution, that could be a small progression toward critical thinking by the masses. Not exactly what I would like, but a small step. For me, once I started really looking at science, I was able to take the next step and drop the religion.

134. Response to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris

Comment #25006 by HappyPrimate on March 9, 2007 at 4:28 pm

First I noticed the smerk on his face as he began to talk which conveyed to me that he knew he was about to spill sludge. His argument that RD and SH are not fighting FAIR was only good for a laugh. Who, including his Allah, ever said life was fair? I certainly find being bombbarded daily with religious drivel unfair. Now who do I complain to? The Nazi superior race thing was actually rooted in religion. He needs to read more if he can stay awake.

135. Why there are almost no genuine atheists

Comment #24449 by HappyPrimate on March 6, 2007 at 5:45 pm

After reading this article all I can say is What? It seems he has developed his very own definition of what an atheist is or *ought* to be. He thinks atheist are self-centered egotistical nuts that could care less for anything in their environment or humanity itself. How deluded can you be to think that? Did he think this up himself? LOL!

136. Pope is warned of a green Antichrist

Comment #23941 by HappyPrimate on March 3, 2007 at 4:54 pm

Don't believe that Catholics have a monopoly on the anti-christ thing. As a child attending southern Baptist Sunday school for many years, we were carefully taught what to watch out for. He would be good looking and do many wonderful miracles to make you think he was Jesus returned, but just when you got hooked that he might be Jesus, he would take your soul straight to hell. I say you really need to be watching all those magicians out there. LOL

137. Lewis Wolpert and William Lane Craig on Religion

Comment #23938 by HappyPrimate on March 3, 2007 at 4:38 pm

I was having such a good laugh at the silly propositions being made in support of the existence of a god (just as well could be multiple gods and why not?) and it ended too quickly. No time for some good rebuttals. Craig seemed to hog all the allotted time.

138. Books on Atheism Are Raising Hackles in Unlikely Places

Comment #23872 by HappyPrimate on March 3, 2007 at 9:19 am

I agree with Jonathan Dore's comment that these attacks do not have any reasonable argument behind them. I do not understand why they are even printed. I realize scientists like to argue among themselves and that is good, but to throw this out without any points to stand on is just plain silly and useless. Could it be ego?

139. James Cameron finds grave of Jesus & Son

Comment #23308 by HappyPrimate on February 27, 2007 at 6:15 pm

I've been thinking that even if all of the bones can be identified with doubt of being those of Jesus and his family, the Christians will find a way to salvage their beliefs just like they did when they had to accept that the earth was not the center of the universe - which was considered threatening to the validity of the bible. Somehow they will gloss over the contradictions. I'm still looking forward to watching the program.

140. William Crawley meets Richard Dawkins

Comment #23306 by HappyPrimate on February 27, 2007 at 6:04 pm

Dr. Dawkins did a great job as usual in this interview which was very grueling. Under fire Dr. Dawkins is so calm and articulate. I really admire him for the way he handles himself in these interviews.

141. Religion in Conflict: Are 'Evangelical Atheists' Too Outspoken?

Comment #23299 by HappyPrimate on February 27, 2007 at 5:26 pm

As usual, Paul Kurtz is on the spot with his observations. The denial of the religious component of the violence in Iraq is outrageous. Anyone who has taken a brief look into the history of the Middle East could have seen this coming. Of course, if you read Bob Woodward's book, you'll find out that Bush did not have any idea of the history or functioning of the Middle East. He was too busy talking to his invisible friend to learn anything that would have been helpful. He really believed they would throw down their weapons and jump up and down in glee praising him for liberating them (which some did for a few days). These people will only settle for a government ruled by their religious laws and only after there is only one dominant group left standing. We could stay there for 50 years and nothing would change except more death.
The religious in this country are seeing their vision of the US becoming a theocracy crumble under the mismanagement of the war and the corruption in those expousing their flawed values. They have created an atmosphere of doubt and the people of the US are exercising their brains a little bit. I say we need to keep throwing out the reasonable and sane concepts so that our fellow countrymen/women can grasp hold and pull this country back to its secular roots. That's my evangelical speech for today.

142. Pope speaks out against 'designer babies'

Comment #23196 by HappyPrimate on February 26, 2007 at 5:37 pm

Just a note. Remember that the saintly Mother Teresa believed all must suffer to know the greatness of god. Assist only enough so that the very poor and ill can earn money to give to the church. The more children the poor have, the less able to educate them and so ignorance and subserviance to the church will continue. Keep them ignorant above all so that he can tell them what to believe and how to behave. Control the masses of humanity through fear. Sadly it continues even with all the advances of today. Too many people are just too afraid to think for themselves and reason out the absurdities.

143. James Cameron finds grave of Jesus & Son

Comment #23195 by HappyPrimate on February 26, 2007 at 5:23 pm

I would strongly suggest everyone check out thoroughly the Discovery Channel website on this documentary. It will answer all of the questions that are being raised here. While it may not be slam-dunk proof, it sure comes very very close to proving that Jesus was a normal human person who married and had kids, died and was buried - no resurrection. I am looking forward to watching the program.
On the matter of the program Decoding the Exodus, I enjoyed the fact that they could NOT come up with any substantial proofs other than the Egyptian tablet claiming the expulsion of the evil ones around about the time the exodus was supposed to have taken place. It seems highly likely that a group of nonconformist were expelled to provide harmony in Egypt. Sort of like throwing out the hippies from an ultra conservative community. Anyway, that is what I got from it.

144. Atheists come in last

Comment #22871 by HappyPrimate on February 23, 2007 at 5:37 pm

the great teapot

Thing is - you cannot have a true democracy in a country that does not have a secular constitution and laws protecting its citizens against religious oppression. That is why the Middle East will never be democracies in the true sense. They insist on having their religious laws dominate. I give credit to Turkey for trying, but they are having great difficulty being secular. I do not see it lasting.

145. Atheists come in last

Comment #22864 by HappyPrimate on February 23, 2007 at 5:22 pm

I am very impressed with the poll that 45% would admit out loud that they would vote for a Presidential candidate who claimed to be an atheist. That indicates to me that we have a fair number of reasonable people out there. Far more than I would have guessed. I give a lot of credit to Dr. Dawkins for this. I look forward to seeing that percentage figure increase in size.

As a comment to the above posters, all anyone needs to do is read the autobiographies of Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin to get the scoop on why and how they made sure the US Constitution was a godless document. The books are not large or expensive and are both well worth the read. I would also suggest reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine which was the publication that got the colonists stirred up enough to revolt. Very informative. I also feel very sure that if the founding fathers had had the benefit of Darwin's Origin of Species, that they would have dropped any reference to being Deists. They were obviously highly against organized religions, but had no basis to make the denial of a god, which, of course, Darwin could have given them. Our godless Constitution is the best thought out document ever written and shows they were so very aware of the dangers of religion getting into government. Most people don't talk about it much in public, but it is written about A.Lincoln that he lost is belief in god when his son died.

Remember - Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. Lucius Annaeu Seneca (4BC-AD65).

146. Fossils: The Devil's Handiwork

Comment #22256 by HappyPrimate on February 13, 2007 at 6:19 pm

I loved this clip. Had to watch it twice. Thanks so much for the great laugh after a tough day at the office.

147. Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #20468 by HappyPrimate on February 2, 2007 at 6:59 pm

Wonderful interview. I am off to order her book. It may be that the women of Islam will have to be the warriors of reason and rationality. I hope more like her are out there and can escape as she has.

148. Root of All Evil? Discussion

Comment #20464 by HappyPrimate on February 2, 2007 at 5:48 pm

I am pleased to know that so many people in Canada were exposed to the program Root of All Evil? because it demonstrates so much of the lunacy of the super-religious in the world today and the harmful effect of their actions or intended actions. I thought the evangelical guy got tramped not only by Dr. Dawkins, but the audience as well. I must echo other comments that I too would be very happy if such a program as this could be aired in the US but sadly I do not believe any broadcaster would have the guts to do it. There have been some daring programs on PBS but not as in your face as this one. I also note that this was obviously shown before Ted Haggard was exposed and I wonder if the conversation would have been different if shown post-exposure.

149. Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens debate blasphemy

Comment #19387 by HappyPrimate on January 26, 2007 at 8:30 pm

As one who is unfamilar with these speakers, I really enjoyed listening to the expression of their thoughts and views. I thought both men and the host were relaxed and discussed the subject matter with great zeal. I will listen to this again tomorrow. Thank you Sancus for the post. Very interesting and enjoyable.

150. Do You Believe in Magic?

Comment #18943 by HappyPrimate on January 23, 2007 at 9:36 pm

I think our ancient ancestors felt very helpless in this world full of unpredictability and dangers and simply wanted some way to find a bit of contol (an edge) over the outcome of things in their lives. So if something good happened, just notice what you did right before it happened, and, next time you want that to happen again, do what you did before. If the good thing happened even once more, then you have a superstitution born. You must repeat that preceding action or the good thing won't happen and if it doesn't it could be a bad thing. Multiply that over the eons and you have a whole slew of superstitions that cover just about everything. Might even lead to religions?