Anzaldua's "fearing the supernatural"

[sarverk]

On page 39 of Borderlands/The Frontera,Gloria Anzaldua discusses humans' fear of inexplainable things. She can be quoted with the following: "Humans fear the supernatural, both the undevine (the animal impulses such as sexuality, the unconscious, the unknown, the alien) and the divine (the superhuman, the god in us). Culture and religion seek to protect us from these two forces." 

My question stems from this. Do you think that culture and religion are used to shield us from "the supernatural"? If yes, how so? What do you think "the supernatural" actually is? How does this relate to cultural tyranny? 

[johnsond]

While I do not have the answer to whether culture and religion are used to shield us, I do believe that the human condition provokes us to fear that which we do not know or understand. The supernatural is simply that which we don't understand. In this case, the dominant culture resides safely in ignorance for it does not understand the cultures of others nor does it attempt to out of fear. As a result, cultural tyranny exists due to a complacency developed out of that fear.

[kinnahanc]

 Humans naturally try to explain the unexplainable. I think this is what religion is; a series of explanations for what we do not understand. Our attempt to explain the supernatural creates conflict within culture. This is a confusing aspect since much of culture IS created by religion. They both intertwine together and reject each other. I think that most people feel a need to shield themselves from the unexplainable because they are afraid. So yes, I think culture and religion (although both can be very positive things) are commonly used to hide from what we don't know. 

[xiey]

I think culture and religion did somehow shield us from the supernatural, because culture and religion in a sense has unconsciously formed a tradition and system for our life. It is commonly being considered as part of "nature". So when facing with supernatural or incomprehensible things, these existing rules are likely to prevent people from thinking from the most primitive levels. 

[Katherine]

In regards to whether or not culture and religion are used to shield us from what is considered to be "supernatural," they both act as a structure from which we form around. I believe that people use religion and culture to address the supernatural, whatever it may be, because they hold onto their faith and they are traditions/crutches. When people don't understand something, or are impacted by something, many people often turn to religion to help guide them through the events of the supernatural. I believe that it (both religion and culture) shields those who allow it to play a large role in their lives, for those who seek explanations through theological or cultural roots. 

[marchellos]

everyone grew up around a culture and was exposed to some sort of religion.  The culture, religion or both did shape us to how we think and mostly in what we believe in.  I think it did shield us from "the supernatural" even if it was unconsciously done.  Most people also use religion and culture to hide from things they do not want to think or see so this may be us hiding from the supernatural aspect, but we don't know we are doing it.

[godleskim]

I agree with Kat, I believe that people rely on culture and religion to guide them, or to protect them from the evils of the world. If we are unfamiliar or do not understand something (which probably makes up that of the supernatural), we tend to fear it until we can fully understand it, and then either adapt or conquer. Religion (and in some ways culture) acts as a security feature, one which we can come back to an assess, it acts as if we don't have to understand alone. The supernatural is what we don't understand or comprehend, and religion helps us deal with the lack of knowledge and fear that may ensue.

[Aleasha Andrews]

Along with what has been said above if we look into religion, we can see that they have come up with this paradigm that allows for that shelter of supernatural question. in today's society, I feel as though religion isn't as prominent with our generation, especially with the developments of science and knowledge  therefore I believe in a few years, science will allow itself to be the shield from the supernatural. 

[Tyler Manning]

I view culture and religion as tools that people use to help guide them through life. These two things come with ideals and traditions that shape a person's identity and affect their sense of right and wrong among other things. These tools help people try to understand the supernatural and conduct their lives in accordance with the customs and beliefs that their culture and religion give them. By constructing the way in which people view life, culture and religion have succeeded in sheltering us from the supernatural.