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Abstract
Superstitions and anti-Semitism are generally based on irrational beliefs. To date, no research has examined the relationship between anti-Semitism and superstition. Four groups, Arab-Muslim, Arab-Christian, Non-Arab Muslim, and Non-Arab Christian, responded to anti-Semitism and superstition measures. With respect to anti-Semitism scores, Arabs scored higher than non-Arabs and Muslims scored higher than Christians. Superstitions varied, however, with Arabs endorsing more New Age beliefs, while Muslims endorsed more traditional superstitious beliefs. The correlations between anti-Semitism and superstitious beliefs were significant, but low, and are explained in terms of cultural differences.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank the reviewers of the Journal of Contemporary Religion for their helpful comments. The authors also wish to acknowledge Sid Bokolsky at the University of Michigan-Dearborn for his assistance with subject pool. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 35th Annual Scholars Conference on the Holocaust and the Churches, held in Philadelphia, on March 5, 2005.