http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr010608.asp

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- What exactly do Americans believe in when it comes to the paranormal, the occult, and "out-of-this-world" experiences? The Gallup Poll recently updated its audit of Americans’ beliefs in a variety of these types of phenomena. The results suggest a significant increase in belief in a number of these experiences over the past decade, including in particular such Halloween-related issues as haunted houses, ghosts and witches. Only one of the experiences tested has seen a drop in belief since 1990: devil possession. Overall, half or more of Americans believe in two of the issues: psychic or spiritual healing, and extrasensory perception (ESP), and a third or more believe in such things as haunted houses, possession by the devil, ghosts, telepathy, extraterrestrial beings having visited earth, and clairvoyance.

More at link above.

As for me, I am skeptical about all of these things.

-- Buddy (buddydc@go.com), June 12, 2001

Answers

Just look at "Crossing Over" with John Edwards on the Sci-Fi channel. This show has become one of the more popular features on cable today.

-- Rob (celtic64@mindspring.com), June 12, 2001.

"Overall, half or more of Americans believe in two of the issues: psychic or spiritual healing, and extrasensory perception (ESP), and a third or more believe in such things as haunted houses, possession by the devil, ghosts, telepathy, extraterrestrial beings having visited earth, and clairvoyance. "

All of that is in the Bible. Some of these issues are called by other names in the Bible, but they're in there.

-- helen (goats@re.there.too), June 12, 2001.

New theories come in three stages:

First, they are completely ignored.
Next, they are vehemently opposed.
Finally, they are accepted as obvious.

-KONRAD LORENZ

-- skeptical believer (facts@opinions.org), June 12, 2001.

My name is Boris. I will be your waiter. Tonight's menu includes:

psychic or spiritual healing
extrasensory perception
haunted houses
possession by the devil
ghosts
telepathy
extraterrestrial beings visiting earth
clairvoyance

Madam? Yes. The ghosts are lightly sauteed in butter and served in a white wine sauce. Our special tonight is mesquite-grilled zombie with lime and shallots. One of everything? Yes, sir! And the bottle of Cabernet. Excellent choice, sir! May I light your candle for you? If you need anything just ask.

Boris leaves smiling. The man speaks to the woman:

He: I knew he would say that!

She: I knew you would say that!

He: I know you think I am a terrible bore. Damn this telepathy!

She: I can't wait for the spiritual healing to arrive. I don't want to fill up on rolls.

-- Break out the cookies and milk (aimless@national_raffle_association.org), June 12, 2001.

Just guessing but willing to bet the interest level in this stuff is inversely porportional to standardized highschool test scores.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), June 13, 2001.

The belief in devil possession is down? What will Bob Larson do? LOL!

-- jammy (jammin@with.jammy), June 13, 2001.