In earlier centuries all over the world, superstition was a way of life. Often it was an occasion for pride. Not to believe things that are superstitious is the present way of life. Of course, one must have the discrimination of what is superstitious and what is not.
There was an army officer who after retirement presided over the family industry. Being pious, he built a temple for Kali where he sung bhajans for hours on end. Among his establishments he owned a hospital of 175 beds. Once he had an attack of suffocation which turned his body blue. He was rushed to his own hospital where, though they could not diagnose him, restored him to health in a few days. These attacks recurred periodically. No other hospital could handle the case except his own. Friends suggested it could be black magic. He refused the suggestion out of hand. After some time he received a letter that said "I did black magic on you lured by big money. Now, whenever you sing at your temple it comes back on me. I am on the brink of death. Please pardon me and give my life back to me."
But his own attacks continued. Now he consented to meet magicians but no help came from any quarter. Except for praying to Kali he would not seek any other help. His family and friends took him to several places on the sly. The ailment remained. Being a powerful rich man, no one dared to offer him help which he resented. He was brought to Pondicherry a few times but he would not pray for help. Once he consented to listen about stories of relief. As he was listening, he inwardly felt relief and listened further.
That led him to pray for help. Some time after the party left Pondicherry, he who had spoken about those stories desired to know if there was any positive result. Another said, "Before he left Pondicherry, the thing left him on the same day". When people get into a mind set, they value that above everything. It leads to a position where they even unconsciously risk their lives. Opinion rules. Its rule is the ultimate law. Rarely do they reflect that to believe in superstition and to disbelieve in it are equally superstitious.