Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Superstition is a vice opposed to religion. It offersdivine worship to whom it should not, or it offers divine worshipto God in an unworthy manner. The name superstition comes from theLatin superstes which means "a survivor." Itsuggests that what are called superstitions are survivors or"holdovers" from the false pre-Christian religions knowncollectively as paganism.
2. Superstition takes various forms: (a) idolatrygives divine honor to a creature; (b) divination consultsdemons, thus attributing divine powers to creatures; (c) falseobservances are outer expressions of the belief that divinepowers are found in certain creatures.
"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine
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"What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. "
Thomas á Kempis
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"It is better to be burdened and in company with the strong than to be unburdened and with the weak. When you are burdened you are close to God, your strength, who abides with the afflicted. When you are relieved of the burden you are close to yourself, your own weakness; for virtue and strength of soul grow and are confirmed in the trials of patience."
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
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