Americans believe in pretty much everything

Americans believe in pretty much everything

www.news.com.au

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe in God and significant numbers also think that UFOs, the devil and ghosts exist, a new poll shows.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Okay, first let me clarify that this isn't a 'bash-America' post. I just thought I would share this with my fellow ATSers, since it pretty much is right up our alley.

Of course, as with most polls, it can be totally skewered depending on many factors. Nonetheless polls give a fascinating insight into the psyche of the majority.

So, thoughts? Opinions? Flames?

www.news.com.au
(visit the link for the full news article)

What can I say? I'm fond of sea lion meat and I believe a funnel spider may be in your shoe tomorrow lol. I blame it all on FOX.

[edit on 5-12-2007 by jpm1602]

In a number of threads I have tried to point out that it will become increasingly difficult to polarize between "us" "underground" and "them" "mainstream". Our stuff is becoming a mainstream, normal line of thinking.

I remember reading/hearing somewhere of a 'decline' of church goers over the past 10 years or so.

Not to say this negates a belief in God, but it does represent some peoples views on worship.

As far as ghosts and UFO's, I think as technology gets better, beliefs in certain areas will rise. The more that is discovered (Pro) regarding things we don't understand, the belief factor will rise.

If people didn't understand it... they generally didn't believe it.

What's wrong with believing in something? It's better to believe than not. A child who believes in peter pan is more likely to have a happier life and be more cretive and open minded. it helps you in life to deal with problems and marriage.

and that's a good thing...

because believing in a wide variety of subjects means that the
communities of peoples are aware and somewhat informed of many viewpoints,

that can result in a tolerant culture,
as your working alongside or sitting in a theater beside a person with contrary outlooks & beliefs, and everyone remains civil .... even if that momentary neighbor is ethnically different from yourself

Originally posted by Beachcoma

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe in God and significant numbers also think that UFOs, the devil and ghosts exist, a new poll shows.

(visit the link for the full news article)

I don't know why they devil is mentioned seperate from God. Judeo-Christian religion, you can't have a philosophy which denies the existance of the devil if you're part of those religions. Unless they mean worshipping the devil when they say "believe in". Nitpick I know

What's astounding is that 82% of Americans believe in God but only 33% believe in UFOs??

UFO = Unidentified Flying Object

God = Cosmic Santa Claus

Hey it's a free country, you can believe whatever you want. I think most people feel UFOs are synoymous with aliens.

Well, for starters, the entire western hemisphere is comprised of "Americans"(North, Central and South Americans). I guess the article means people from the USA.

Secondly, ufos, God, the devil and ghosts hardly means anything as well.

Thirdly, what's the point of the article?

Edit to add:

More than 70 per cent of the 2455 adults surveyed...

Well there you have it. 2500 people surveyed, nuff said.

[edit on 12-5-2007 by nyarlathotep]

Remember America (USA) consists of multitudes of cultures and those cultures have maintained many of their beliefs and slowly these ideas are being accepted into the American Culture. For example.. Yoga, chakras, ideas like Karma, were all once distant ideas to the average americans, now you can basically go to your local health club and find classes for yoga. America is still young and still finding it's own identity, so this belief in just about everything is just part of the evolution of the American culture, as blue jeans is.

You posted this as if you think it's a disgrace to have a belief in something... :shk: Wow, this world is collapsing quickly. The day it becomes disgraceful to believe in things other than what we see everyday is the day I'll be ready to escape this earth... It's coming all too soon, I fear.

reply to post by SpeakerofTruth


I posted this because it was amusing and the things mentioned in the article are the things that you see on ATS every day. Must you only look at the negative side of things?

reply to post by SpeakerofTruth

You posted this as if you think it's a disgrace to have a belief in something...

I don't think so SOT... To me the frustrating thing isn't necessarily what people believe, rather the process of how they came to believe it. One of my best friends and I argue about politics constantly. Yet, I respect him, because although our ideas may differ, I know that he has made an effort to accumulate knowledge to back up his beliefs.

I think they should stop "polling" the general public and start polling folks who like discussion and denying ignorance... They should poll ATS!