Why do people follow old traditions blindly without questioning them?

@cxndie (1075)
India
August 2, 2016 3:42am CST
I have come across so many cultural as well as religious traditions that my family and friends follow without even being curious as to where it came from and who started it and why is it even followed. Some of them do not even make sense. Like for example before Easter, when we visit 7 churches, why do we do it? who started it? Yes I am aware it is to repent for our sins but at least I have asked. Another tradition is making rose cookies and fruit cake during Christmas. Where did Easter eggs come from? Where did our traditional dishes come from? Who saw the parting of the red sea? Did it really happen that way? There are so many that I cannot even think of right now. Bottom line is why are we not curious? why don't we ask questions? Why are we so blindly faithful? No offense to anyone on here but I am the curious type.
10 people like this
11 responses
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
2 Aug 16
Go on asking. Curiosity is a sign of intelligence. Hopefully,you'll get answers. I've never heard about visiting 7 churches at Easter. Nobody does that in German. Easter is a symbol for a new beginning. The date is in spring. Nature is renewing itself. The eggs are a symbol for this. I think the parting of the Red Sea is a story made up by a people living in the desert. There was a ford in the water which allowed them to cross the sea but they didn't know that.
2 people like this
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
2 Aug 16
Yes, I agree with that, that's how we learn. By Candice asking these questions, I learned them from your response too. I always wondered about the parting of the Red Sea, but just thought it was a tale told by ancient people that we might not be able to find out the truth. Thanks for sharing these with us.
1 person likes this
@cxndie (1075)
• India
2 Aug 16
@MALUSE Yes well i have been looking for answers from friends and family but no one seems to have any. And yes on Good Friday we visit 7 churches and pray. Some people even walk barefoot to the churches. I did read about the Easter egg bit and I am still curious haha. Also about the Red sea, many people have different renditions to it. And thats what makes it so confusing.
@cxndie (1075)
• India
2 Aug 16
@kaka135 No problem I just wish there was someone who could help us with all these questions. There are tons of people who are in the same position as I am and who do not realise this until I bring it up.
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
2 Aug 16
As far as I know, people are inclined to do things that they have been doing for a long time even though they don't know the meaning behind it. Some don't even give it a thought. I mean, some people go to mass just for habit.
1 person likes this
@cxndie (1075)
• India
2 Aug 16
Yeah and that is what I find weird. I mean people should ask. People should not just blindly go with what has been going on for centuries.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
3 Aug 16
@cxndie It's just that these things are too ordinary, so nobody questions them. If you've been eating the same set of meals since you were a kid, then you'd probably wouldn't be thinking about it either. What concerns me is that some people can't calm down and reacts as if they were uneducated the moment that ordinary traditions change.
@1creekgirl (41330)
• United States
2 Aug 16
I think it's good to be curious. God is big enough to survive our questions, but I believe he did part the Red Sea, not a little brook. After all, he's God. Is there anything impossible for him?
1 person likes this
@cxndie (1075)
• India
2 Aug 16
Yes thats right but then again who saw it and who wrote it in the bible. Sigh so many questions! However he is God after all. Bless you dear :)
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
2 Aug 16
I think you'll find there are many millions of people in the world who don't blindly follow traditions and don't accept what they are told. They question everything in an attempt to better understand the world we inhabit and hopefully, as a consequence, improve our lives. They're called scientists.
1 person likes this
@cxndie (1075)
• India
2 Aug 16
Yes there are many people like me who don't even realise they are different. We only question because we want to know, not because we want to disrupt what is being followed. But there are no answers.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
2 Aug 16
@cxndie Unfortunately that sort of innocent quest for knowledge can be mistaken for being disruptive or challenging!!
@rina110383 (24492)
3 Aug 16
There's only one thing that I comply with - our laws. I don't follow customs and traditions.
1 person likes this
@cxndie (1075)
• India
3 Aug 16
Yes I sometimes feel i should do too but my friends and family push me down the path of following our traditions and thats the time I start questioning.
1 person likes this
@digiguru (557)
• Bangalore, India
3 Aug 16
Questioning either bring revolutions or dejection from the family, society, and so on. People are scared to question.
1 person likes this
@cxndie (1075)
• India
3 Aug 16
Yes but I do not feel afraid to question. I just want some clarity. My family however do not know the answers haha
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
2 Aug 16
I am not a person who follows the tradition, my mum has always "scolded" me for this. I think there are still many people questioning the traditions, but they might not find the answers. Some told me, it's better to follow and believe, since the tradition has been there for years, there must be a reason. I do not doubt there must be a reason for each tradition, but are they still valid or applicable to us nowadays? I like to follow those I think are meaningful, such as celebrating any festivals, but I do not follow all the ways and the traditions I don't think are valid.
1 person likes this
@skysnap (20153)
2 Aug 16
Because lot of old traditions are tested with time and they stayed. breaking many old traditions won't help society much. for example, take example of single mothers struggling raising kids, setting up family values to them etc. As much as we like to go rebel and disagree, lot of times such traditions are indeed helping some grand plan for our life.
1 person likes this
@cxndie (1075)
• India
2 Aug 16
Sometimes traditions lead to disaster instead. But yes breaking old traditions that are being followed by society wouldnt be the right thing to do. But I would still raise questions.
• Austin, Texas
2 Aug 16
“If the blind lead the blind, they both fall into the ditch.” Nothing wrong with questioning. Just make sure you get the right answer.
• Australia
2 Aug 16
Wonderful question. I think we all start out curious. Thats why kids ask so many questions. As we get older, we either conform, ignore our inner voices, or keep asking questions. Let me guess some things about you, because I think it's why we (I like to be in this category too)remain curious.The guesses are not necessarily to do with faith, or religion, but they do reflect how you may think about God and the universe. Guesses are- you DON't watch the news on TV, because you think the bad news is not reflective of society as a whole. You don't read newspapers very often, and when you do, you immediately dismiss as rubbish at least 50% of what you've read. You don't always do things the way you are trained to, because you can think-'maybe it would work better like this'. You go to stores or restaurants and think 'if this were mine, I would do it like this'. You are happy if someone tells you 'your different'. Am I right? Thinking outside the box is a very important trait to have. Blind faith is what has led to so much destruction. I'm glad you question things.
1 person likes this
@cxndie (1075)
• India
2 Aug 16
OMG my dear, you hit the nail on the head. I am exactly like that. I love being told I am different and I do consider myself as someone who thinks outside the box. Yes I do watch the news but not a lot, I do not like reading the news papers and I dont like doing things the way I have been taught. All these things describe me perfectly. I am so surprised to see how one post of mine could make you describe me. I would really like to get to know you better
1 person likes this
@Meramar (2695)
2 Feb 17
The question is difficult to answer. But, I suppose that those followers don't ask as they grew up in the believings they follow.