Younger Americans increasingly believe in witchcraft and supernatural forces

A nationally representative survey conducted in the United States in 2021 revealed notable trends regarding supernatural beliefs among the public. The survey, which included 2,000 participants aged 18 and older, focused on a diverse array of supernatural phenomena, such as belief in various religious doctrines, paranormal experiences, and superstitions involving luck. The study's findings indicate that supernatural beliefs in the country can be classified into four distinct categories: traditional religious beliefs, spiritual and mental forces, witches and witchcraft, and beliefs in luck-related phenomena. It was noted that younger Americans were more inclined to express their belief in witchcraft and luck compared to older generations. Additionally, these beliefs appeared to intersect with various demographic factors including education, race, and gender. A significant finding from the analysis indicated that higher levels of education and income correlated with lower levels of belief in all four categories of supernatural belief. Furthermore, race and ethnicity played a role in how supernatural beliefs manifested; for instance, Latino or Hispanic individuals showed a higher tendency to believe in witches and witchcraft compared to white individuals. Around 50% of Latino or Hispanic respondents strongly affirmed the existence of witches, in stark contrast to 37% of white individuals who expressed similar beliefs. Gender differences emerged as well, with women more likely to endorse beliefs in spiritual and mental forces, such as the possibility of communicating with the deceased. The survey's authors highlighted a gap in most existing scientific surveys, which often limit their exploration of beliefs to traditional religious constructs while neglecting other forms of supernatural belief. They urged for a more nuanced understanding of supernatural beliefs that could potentially be vital for comprehending broader social issues. While the survey provided a snapshot of beliefs at a certain point in time, it did not discern how these beliefs might evolve in the future. The researchers emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts to assess how supernatural beliefs in the U.S. are changing over time, indicating a need for more comprehensive and diverse questions in future surveys.