WEEK 3 Religions and superstitions

SITI NOOR AMIRA  

Karl Marx once commented that 'religion is the opium of the people'. Do you agree with him? In the case of Umuofia, do you think their native religion stunts their development? Is the 'new' religion seen as a way of bringing development to Umuofia?

Apart from religion, superstitions play an important part in the Ibo culture. Do you have your own sets of superstitions which you find difficult to discard?

The following points can help you as you write your reflective post on the role of religion and superstition in the novel and in your life:

• Analyse how superstitions and religions play in the life described in the novel. 
• Do superstitious beliefs and religion affect the development of a country? How?
• How does one's beliefs affect the nation in terms of politics and culture?

In the novel Things Fall Apart, at first it seemed that everyone was superstitious and truly believe in their god. They believe in the killing of the baby as the twins will bring bad luck to their society. So, they just followed the the superstition blindly without think it logically. Besides, the incident when they killed Ikemefuna for the fault of his father. It is a criminal as they cannot punish or execute someone who is not doing the crime. It is his father's fault but Ikemefuna has to endure and face it. It is very unfair. 

I think, superstitious beliefs and religion can be both side, which they can affect the development of a country and they also can be an advantage to develop the country itself. It is because if we believe something blindly and do not think of its consequences it will affect of the development of the country. For example, the villagers killed the twins but they did not know perhaps in future, the killed baby will give an advantage to their village. So, we must avoid in taking someone live. Besides, if we believe in something in appropriate ways, for sure we will find the truth and it also can guide us to produce a bright future. It is stated that every religion has the goodness and we must follow it. 

If a person do good things based on his religion, for sure he will be a good person. It is because, from our religion, we are forbidden to begin an unhealthy environment. We have to live in harmony and peace. So, if a person totally learns in depth about his religion and applies it in real life, there will no any disputes and any people who love to begin a conflict. Thus, religion plays an important role in shaping a good human capital.