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A Mary T. Hoffman Commentary from All-Creatures.org

 

"Joyful Curmudgeon" An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful.  At the same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true peace and compassion.

 

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Friday the Thirteenth – 13 April 2007
By Mary T. Hoffman

Today I found out that the superstition – fear of Friday the 13th – has a name, “paraskevidekatriaphobia,” which is derived from three Greek words linked respectively: Παρασκευή, δεκατρείς, and φοβία, meaning Friday, thirteen, and phobia. Dr. Donald Dossey, a psychotherapist, is credited with the coining of this word.

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “superstition” as “a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic or chance.” Obviously, Christianity and superstition are antithetical.

Since it is based on fear, superstition is contrary to Christian teachings; true Christianity is based on love. One well-known historical example of the serious damage caused by superstition is the Salem witch-hunt.

In 1 John 4:18 of the Bible we find this passage:

18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Go on to: Nature – 14 April 2007
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