Wow. I had no idea I was in such a minority:
A Gallup poll found that only 7 percent of Americans do not believe in telepathy, déjà vu, ghosts, past lives or other supernatural phenomena, which may have more than a little to do with the soaring popularity of Halloween.
A few years ago, my husband and I were visiting his parents and sleeping in the guest room. I woke up in the middle of the night to a bone-chilling noise, a wailing, moaning, ghostly noise. The hair on the back of my neck stood up straight and my heart began to race. I still have no explanation whatsoever for what the noise was: the wind? the dog? my father-in-law groaning in his sleep?
I realized the next day that, if I believed in ghosts, I would forever tell that story as an encounter with one. I would swear that I had heard a ghost at my in-laws' house. But I don't believe in them. Instead I see that story as proof of how people say they've encountered ghosts.
But the truly interesting part was how I could not stop my body and mind from being frightened. Even though I absolutely don't think there was anything out there, my body went into panic mode.
Interesting stuff. But only 7%? Wow.
Posted by Sarah at October 31, 2007 05:37 PM | TrackBack
Of those they polled, I'd be interested to know how many were scientists and engineers. I think mathematically inclined people are less prone to belief in the supernatural.
I happen to be one of your minority. Although many of my friends are believers.
Posted by: Teresa at October 31, 2007 08:14 PMI love being in the minority & Teresa, I suck at math.
Posted by: tim at November 1, 2007 08:34 AM