The New Pagans Fall 1997

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Where in a late-modern world do people search for the sacred? In the popular tv show, The X-Files, two fbi agents chase after government conspiracies, aliens, and supernatural creatures with hopes of making sense of unsolved cases and their own lives. Hillary Clinton spoke with the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt in a White House seance. Nancy Reagan reportedly consulted with astrologers for guidance from the heavens. Neopagan phenomena capture the imagination of Americans from all strata of society.

Indeed, survey research confirms that Americans are looking for answers in some mighty strange places.

In examining these data, please beware. Belief and practice differ, so take notice of the wording in the survey items below. An orthodox Christian may accept the existence of astrology and witchcraft because of a belief in the existence of demonic forces. In this case, a person believes in a supernatural reality without actually endorsing or participating in the occult.

Looking at the graphic at right, the 1994 norc study indicates that 9 percent of Americans believe that astrology is scientifically true and 39 percent (!) believe that astrology is probably scientifically true. Would this many Americans confuse astrology with astronomy? Another study by Princeton Survey Research Associates indicates that among those who do not believe in astrology, 71 percent read the horoscope section of newspapers anyhow. Thankfully a Gallup poll reports that only 18 percent of the American population read their horoscopes regularly. . . . With all this interest in the stars, the old pick-up line may hold some promise of success: "Hey, Baby, What's your sign?"

For the question regarding belief in witchcraft, different numbers should draw your attention. ...

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