Do you believe in magic? - David Blaine's Magic

Chap 10-Religion: How do superstitions work as a form of social control?

In Chapter 10 on Religion (Kottak, Mirror for Humanity), the notion of witch hunts is raised as a powerful means of social control "creating a climate of danger and insecurity that affects everyone, not just the people who are likely targets." These accusations are often targeted towards the socially marginal and the anomalous (those who deviate from the norm) as a "leveling mechanism" bringing them back in line with the status quo. See Big Religion Chart for broader view of religion.

You might be interested in seeing a real-life crucifixion in contemporary Phillipines for a man who made an oath to be cruxified to save his daughter. This video is provided by National Geographic.

How might common superstitions work as a form of social control, as leveling mechanisms where social differences stand out? Which individuals or groups in our society might be affected by these superstitions (Remember the experiment 3rd grade teacher Jane Elliot did with the brown and blue eyes)?

Common Superstitions

* Friday the thirteenth is an unlucky day
* If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck
* To break a mirror will bring you seven years bad luck
* To open an umbrella in the house is to bring bad luck
* Step on a crack, break your mother's back
* If you blow out all of the candles on your birthday cake with the first breath you will get whatever you wish for
* An itchy palm means money will come your way
* A beginner will always have good luck: beginner's luck
* Crossing your fingers helps to avoid bad luck and helps a wish come true
* After receiving a container of food, the container should never be returned empty
* A sailor wearing an earring cannot drown
* To find a penny heads up, brings good luck
* To make a happy marriage, the bride must wear: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
* Washing a car will bring rain
* You must get out of bed on the same side you got in on or you will have bad luck