Posted on 12/13/2009 3:39:35 PM PST by RogerFGay
A new study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reveals some startling differences between Republicans and Democrats on issues of spirituality and supernatural phenomenon.The study, "Many Americans Mix Multiple Faiths," reports that a significant number of Americans practice a mixture of religious beliefs, and "many also blend Christianity with Eastern or New Age beliefs such as reincarnation, astrology and the presence of spiritual energy in physical objects." The report is not specifically about partisan differences, but the results of the study are broken down by party affiliation, among many other categories. And the news on that front is that Democrats are far more likely to believe in supernatural phenomenon than Republicans.
"Conservatives and Republicans report fewer experiences than liberals or Democrats communicating with the dead, seeing ghosts and consulting fortunetellers or psychics," the Pew study says. For example, 21 percent of Republicans report that they have been in touch with someone who is dead, while 36 percent of Democrats say they have done so. Eleven percent of Republicans say they have seen a ghost, while 21 percent of Democrats say so. And nine percent of Republicans say they have consulted a fortuneteller, while 22 percent of Democrats have.
There's more. Seventeen percent of Republicans say they believe in reincarnation, while 30 percent of Democrats do. Fourteen percent of Republicans say they believe in astrology, while 31 percent of Democrats do. Fifteen percent of Republicans say they view yoga as a spiritual practice, while 31 percent of Democrats do. Seventeen percent of Republicans say they believe in spiritual energy, while 30 percent of Democrats do.
There are some areas in which the two partisan groups are similar. When Pew asked respondents whether they have had a religious or mystical experience, 50 percent of Republicans said yes, as did 50 percent of Democrats. But overall, there are sizable disparities.
What accounts for them? Pew doesn't say. But the report does note that there are gender, ethnic, and racial differences in the totals. "Having been in touch with a dead person is more common among women than men," the report says. "Women are also twice as likely to have consulted a fortuneteller or psychic. Blacks report more experience feeling in touch with the dead than whites or Hispanics. But they resemble whites and Hispanics on other items, such as encounters with a ghost or consulting a fortuneteller." Some of those gender, ethnic and racial differences might come into play in the partisan totals. But in the end, the Pew report offers no solid answers for why there are such differences between Republicans and Democrats.
Leftists like to frame the “paranormal” and spiritual to fit their ideas...like everything else.
I actually meet quite a few Christians in the field. Some things as per my beliefs are verboten. Necromancy such as using ouija or other means of direct spirit communication I stay away from. Also I will not do any cases which have signs of inhuman infestation..aka demonic. In about 100 investigations I have only run into one case and we referred it to Catholic clergy.
Without faith in God, people will fall for anything that’s supernatural. sad.
They also seem convinced that dead people should vote as well as talk.
I believe more than a few kooks from kos have stuck needles in Bush dolls, Especially after the US Supreme Court told them they were bootin Gores appeal.
I don’t really care, doesn’t change my life
They don't have to. It's well known "settled science."
Republicans, by and large, are common sense, thinking people.
ALL Democrats, by comparison, are mentally deranged.
Simple, huh?
They call them “Voters”.
Only the ones who believe in an afterlife - that’s a start.
So the listeners of George Noory and Art Bell are liberals. No big suprise. A lot of callers to Coast to Coast AM tend to be anti-war moonbats.
The Democrat “leadership” in the Congress would make one believe we are all dealing with the living dead.
How about the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and sasquatch?
Makes sense—you have to talk to them to get ‘em to show up to vote!
The Bible equates soothsayers, etc., with demons and warns not to become involved with those things. Most Christians are Republicans. Ergo... fill in the blank.
Most WHITE Christians are Republicans. African Americans are the most devoutly churchgoing demographic in America, and they are 90%+ Dem, unfortunately.
Most WHITE Christians are Republicans. African Americans are the most devoutly churchgoing demographic in America, and they are 90%+ Dem, unfortunately.
Sounds great! Love the ‘stuff’. Was into Seth Material et al, years ago. . .most interesting and parallels in many ways,’Eastern Concepts and books like ‘Tao of Physics’ and ‘Dancing Wu Li Masters’ - among many others/lol. But ‘Seth’ quite the character which gave it great color.
I would think this was a gimme.
That the dem populace believe the BS shoveled into them by their political leaders (and media sycophants) tells you right there that they believe in fairy tales. Ghosts & goblins aren’t much of a stretch.
For example, 21 percent of Republicans report that they have been in touch with someone who is dead, while 36 percent of Democrats say they have done so.You still have more than one in five Republicans talking to the dead.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.