Irrational beliefs

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

If we could train bats to eat horses, I'd admire them (the bats) even more.

Boru

[Minimalist]

Wishing things would go well/better for yourself or others

That's a normal human reaction - the problem comes in when you think that your wishes are going to make a tinker's damn worth of difference.

Believing in or offering other people 'luck'

Most of the time when I say 'good luck' what it really means is "you're screwed."

Some form of universal karma or other universal energies/vibrations (not scientific)

Silliness.

Superstitions or superstitious behaviour (lucky socks, black cats, 'never fail' items used for dates, Friday 13th, crossing fingers, blowing dice before you throw them, etc.)

I'm actually interested in the origins of such superstitions...the superstitions themselves are silly.


Ghosts or spirits

Nope. Human ego run amok.

Conversing with deceased loved ones (including pets)
higher spiritual powers

See above. and my pets barely listen to me now.

[Nine]

I'm the only one that has frequent very irrational thoughts?

I'm not even sure I can tell the difference between the rational and irrational anymore. I'm not even all that sure I care which is which. Best part is that the way of deciding I use is itself irrational, or is it? Waking up at 3am and closing the window to stop werewolves was a perfectly rational decision from a completely irrational basis. I know nothing.

[ManMachine]

I'm curious to see what others think on the subject of irrational thought and how many people would say they have none at all.

(bold added for emphasis)

The heading of your OP says "irrational beliefs", and here you've said "irrational thoughts", of which I have many daily (and since I know they're irrational I refuse to form these 'thoughts' into any kind of a forged 'belief'). Which question are you asking?

I suppose the direct answer to that is thoughts that betray a potential belief.

As an example, if you send thoughts of good luck to someone that could betray a belief in the general notion of 'luck'.

MM

[TheKingIam]

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[Nine]

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Best first post ever!

[ManMachine]

@OP - On what basis did you decide these were irrational thoughts/beliefs?

I didn't. I 'borrowed' them from a list used in a study in 2011, this is much shorter than the original list. But my post has nothing to do with that or any other study, it was just curiosity on my part that drove this poll.

Plus I thought it might be interesting for other AF user to see what the AF agnostics/atheists think about this sort of issue.

There certainly seems to be a lot of irrational thinking used in society in general, luck, wishing, superstitions etc. I wonder how much is recognised and weeded out.

I don't think anyone can honestly say they have no irrational thoughts, that is not to say we externalise those thoughts, rather we actively work to correct irrational thoughts before communication.

I personally consider it an active process.

MM

[CindysRain]

I didn't. I 'borrowed' them from a list used in a study in 2011, this is much shorter than the original list. But my post has nothing to do with that or any other study, it was just curiosity on my part that drove this poll.

Plus I thought it might be interesting for other AF user to see what the AF agnostics/atheists think about this sort of issue.

There certainly seems to be a lot of irrational thinking used in society in general, luck, wishing, superstitions etc. I wonder how much is recognised and weeded out.

I don't think anyone can honestly say they have no irrational thoughts, that is not to say we externalise those thoughts, rather we actively work to correct irrational thoughts before communication.

I personally consider it an active process.

MM

Okay gotcha! Thanks for the explanation.

When I wish somebody good luck, I don't ever feel that I've somehow magically bestowed good luck on them. It's my way of showing support.

[Losty]

I basically ignored your list and answered according to my own list of irrational thoughts. I probably should have marked the last option, but I can't change my answer now.
I'm not racist, I think all cats are scary regardless of fur color.
I always sleep with a light on.
I'm afraid of the tooth fairy even though I know there is no tooth fairy.
I tuck the blanket under my feet because I know nothing can reach up and grab them so long as the blanket is tucked under.
I sometimes wonder if people are secretly conspiring against me.
I sometimes do the Sign of the Cross prayer when I'm really scared.
I hate sleeping when it's dark outside.
I sometimes worry that saying/thinking and things will "jinx" them into happening.
I'm sure there are more things. I think the good thing is that I know these things are irrational. I don't actually believe any of them (except maybe the cat one), but thinking them is like an automatic reaction.

[Jackalope]

I dunno, I have doubts that any human being can be 100% rational all the time. For my part, I try not to believe things for irrational reasons - but I'm as susceptible to emotionality and irrationality as anyone.