Some interesting "data" came out today in regard to people's beliefs regarding religion and spiritual concepts/ideas. What these statistics really show is how subjective the beliefs are. The common thread is that most people believe in some other plane of existence outside that which is readily visible. The manifestation of that plane is what varies widely. Among the interesting bullet points:
- Approximately 24% believe in Astrology, close to the same number who identify themselves as Roman Catholics
- 30% of Americans felt they have been in touch with the dead
- 26% thought spiritual energy could be gathered in objects such as trees
- 16% think the "evil eye" or casting evil spells is real.
- The Vatican has acknowledged, officially, that aliens and other life forms may exist elsewhere in the Universe.
- Approximately 50% of Americans claimed to have had a "spiritual or mystical" experience
I guess that explains why my Oak tree was looking at me strangely the other day. Seriously though, what do such statistics, taken from a sample of over 4000 people mean? My takeaway is that meaning is an empty vessel we all hold, how we fill it up is completely an individual choice, guided by our social need to feel connected and our own biases.
What do you think?
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