Scientific literature typically regards palmistry as a pseudoscientific or superstitious belief. Thai building and living habits are often based on superstitious and religious beliefs. Gibbs is highly superstitious and fearful of the mere mention of pirates. The Europeans express their beliefs that Siam is a superstitious, backward nation. Thiess was ultimately sentenced to ten lashes for idolatry and superstitious belief. As a result, many people are critical of acting on superstitious beliefs. The government condemned religious organisations, labeling them as superstitious. The islanders are superstitious and suspicious of outsiders like Pierce. Another reason is Western views of shamanism as primitive, superstitious, backward and outdated. He was also a believer of the magical and superstitious side of the Orthodox Sufism. This resulted in the dispersal and destruction of many books deemed "popish" and "superstitious". She is an atheist but considers herself a spiritual and superstitious person. Sexual encounters and superstitious fantasies were idle elements of the imagination. Herbals often explained plant lore, displaying a superstitious or spiritual side. Various superstitious tales exist of Teach's ghost.