Weird Religious Reminder...and I Don't Know If It Bothers Me Or Not

[Carolyn the Red]

I recently earned my motorcycle license, and before I started the process, I bought a motorcycle jacket with protective pads, and lots of pockets.

 

Since I had a chance to borrow a bike and get a bit of practice this weekend, I got all dressed up in my gear and off I went. When I pulled out my things later, I found a little St. Christopher medallion tucked into one of the chest pockets.

 

Trust in St. Christopher and you'll never die in an accident, or so they say. I certainly don't believe it, I'm not sure I ever really understood the Catholic magic tricks, though I found lighting candles to be a good way to focus my mind. But maybe there's something appropriate in an indirect reminder that I should be aware of the possibility of an accident, and try to minimize that chance. I don't know if I find the medallion freaky, insulting, weird, or strangely comforting. I figure I'll leave it there, it might remind me not to ride when conditions or my mental or physical state aren't right. I don't think it will hurt me, especially as it's over a protective pad. I may never notice it again.

 

Maybe I'll find a St. Jude to keep him company, I think I used to own one a relative gave me as a gift. I always liked the idea of a saint for lost causes, though I never knew what he was supposed to do. Make them not lost? Or maybe a flying spaghetti monster medallion, may his noodly appendages keep me from harm.

 

I do wonder why St. Christopher is living in my jacket pocket. Are there mysterious good luck charms in cars? Do employees cast spells on newly manufactured airplanes? Does the frame shape of my bicycle have mystic significance? Or are motorcycle riders just more superstitious that way?

[white_raven23]

Or are motorcycle riders just more superstitious that way?

 

I would say...yes on that one. They press the outer limits of 'luck' pretty often. And just as often, they break it. Be careful of course, but some events are just out of your control....like the moose stepping into the road in front of my housemate causing him to swerve to miss it, go into a wobble he couldn't get out of, and make a nice red skid stain on the 'ass-fault'. His arm is frankensteined (wonder if he sets off the buzzer at the airport?), and he's okay....but that bike (once it's repaired) is going to be up for sale.

[ShackledNoMore]

I dunno. While I would agree that the average motorcyclist may be more of a risk taker than the average car driver, I don't think I see any correlation with superstition (a.k.a. "religious beliefs" such as the belief that a St. Christopher will provide protection if they carry his medallion). He was big in my family before the switch from catholicism to protestantism and had a place in every car--and as far as I can tell, he is equally represented in cars and motorcycles. (I could be wrong, but I'd need to be convinced with statistics, etc.)

[Robbobrob]

I know it would annoy me that someone put him there, but I would think the medallion would be cool to have. He could hang from one of my dragons, or around the neck of my Buddha, or climb the top sail of my pirate ship. But I know one place he would not be, in my leather jacket.