NEWS: More Americans Credit Eastern and New Age Beliefs, Supernatural Experiences

According to Pew Forum’s recent survey, many Americans blend Christian and New Age or Eastern beliefs – beliefs such as reincarnation, astrology, or the evil eye. A “sizeable minority” of Americans report experiences with supernatural phenomena, including contact with spirits or ghosts.

While the United States is an overwhelmingly Christian country, more than 60% of survey respondents admitted experience with Eastern practices (like belief in yoga as spiritual practice or in reincarnation) and/or so-called New Age beliefs (such as consulting a psychic or belief in astrology).

The greater part of of all major U.S. religious traditions (excepting white evangelicals) expressed belief in or experience with at least one of the supernatural phenomena or Eastern and New Age notions surveyed. Moreover, roughly half report having had a “religious or mystical experience” – more than double the figure recorded during the 1962 survey.

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life collected data in two waves of telephone interviews this August. Their findings represent the responses of 4013 English- and Spanish-speaking adults nationwide.