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The W - Current Events & Politics - Rep. vs. Dem. beliefs about the supernatural
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DMC
Liverwurst








Since: 8.1.02
From: Modesto, CA

Since last post: 6919 days
Last activity: 6913 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.78
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,99945,00.html


Most interesting to me is that Democrats are more likely to believe in the reality of things such as UFOs and ghosts than Republicans. The more mainstream religion questions don't surprise me.

DMC



"Now please don't misunderstand me. Americans are wonderful people. The problem, perhaps, is that they don't always realize that customers sitting at a table in a restaurant might not want to meet yet another wonderful person. They may possibly want to know whether that exotic name on the menu is just another alias for the usual chicken. ...When bright young Brenda bounces up to ask you for the fourth time if everything is ok, there is an overwhelming urge to answer that, yes, everything would be fine if she stayed at the cash desk and chatted to her friends about films and boyfriends. Unfortunately, it's not physically possible. Brenda makes sure you have your mouth full before she asks you, 'Is everything ok?'"

-Beppe Severgnini, *Ciao, America!*
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Grimis
Scrapple








Since: 11.7.02
From: MD

Since last post: 4713 days
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#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.29
It's amzazing that so many people believe in God but so few people believe in other things considering that there is as much realistic, concrete proof of one as there is of the other.



2003 WORLD SERIES(like I said it would be all along)



Please Believe It!
Nag
Landjager








Since: 10.1.03
From: Enter your city here

Since last post: 5621 days
Last activity: 3676 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.92
Well, when a large portion of a particular group formulates their arguments on a simple phrase "It's all a conspiracy dude" I don't really find it groundbreaking information that they are more inclined to believe in UFO's. Like yeah, if I were an Alien, my destination on earth would be near an airforce base of the most advanced airforce on earth.

What I did find surprising that a quarter of the population believe in witches and over a quarter in astrology. That may be in part to growth of the wiccan/goth movement that was so popular with "Disenfranchised" teens of the late 90's. But shit, this 2003 not 1603; and while I can understand and respect societies inherent need to believe in many of the mentioned institutions and concepts, astrology and witches is a bit stretching it.



I may be ugly, but your stupid, and I can get a job.
spf
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Las Vegas of Canada

Since last post: 3069 days
Last activity: 404 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.29
Of course Democrats profess to more belief in UFO's...we gotta find *some* reason to explain where the hell Dubya and his people came from.

Okay, that sucked. I'm sorry. Let me try to redeem this post by saying my flaw with the questioning on witches is that many people do self-proclaim themselves to be witches these days, and perform "magick" (when you hang around the Tori Amos fan boards long enough, you learn WAY too much about these people). So I believe in "witches", but not in people who can fly broomsticks and give the evil eye to cause death or anything.



Brenda Weiler - Cold Weather - Nov. 4. Playing Chicago Nov. 12

blogforamerica.com
ThreepMe
Morcilla








Since: 15.2.02
From: Dallas

Since last post: 7145 days
Last activity: 6804 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.31
    Originally posted by spf2119
    Of course Democrats profess to more belief in UFO's...we gotta find *some* reason to explain where the hell Dubya and his people came from.

    Okay, that sucked. I'm sorry. Let me try to redeem this post by saying my flaw with the questioning on witches is that many people do self-proclaim themselves to be witches these days, and perform "magick" (when you hang around the Tori Amos fan boards long enough, you learn WAY too much about these people). So I believe in "witches", but not in people who can fly broomsticks and give the evil eye to cause death or anything.


I just ask if they weigh the same as a duck.



I would like to congatulate Al Snow on his contact with La-Z-Boy. Because we all know Al doesn't sell chairs. - Mick Foley




Make sure to check out ThreepMe's Website of Fun
DMC
Liverwurst








Since: 8.1.02
From: Modesto, CA

Since last post: 6919 days
Last activity: 6913 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.78
I think spf is hitting on a possible key problem with this survey, if those really are the only questions people were asked. There should probably be more detailed questions, such as "Do you believe in the existence of 'witches,' defined as a person who has or is endowed with an ability to *actually* manipulate natural/supernatural forces?" That may give you a more accurate answer, although you may be able to assume that when someone hears the question "Do you believe in witches?" they are assuming you are referring to that type of definition, and *not* the question of whether or not there actually are people who claim to be witches today (which everyone knows, or should know, to be true).

Also, more detailed questions may violate some type of rule about keeping survey questions short and simple. ::Sigh:: No wonder I hate quantitative research.

DMC





"Now please don't misunderstand me. Americans are wonderful people. The problem, perhaps, is that they don't always realize that customers sitting at a table in a restaurant might not want to meet yet another wonderful person. They may possibly want to know whether that exotic name on the menu is just another alias for the usual chicken. ...When bright young Brenda bounces up to ask you for the fourth time if everything is ok, there is an overwhelming urge to answer that, yes, everything would be fine if she stayed at the cash desk and chatted to her friends about films and boyfriends. Unfortunately, it's not physically possible. Brenda makes sure you have your mouth full before she asks you, 'Is everything ok?'"

-Beppe Severgnini, *Ciao, America!*
vsp
Andouille








Since: 3.1.02
From: Philly

Since last post: 6477 days
Last activity: 2732 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 0.00
The poll is one thing, but the linked page describing its results is a typical example of misleading writing.

"Fully 92% of Americans say they believe in God, 85% in heaven and 82% in miracles, according to the latest FOX News poll."

No, 92%, 85% and 82% of Americans WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS POLL (as in, were there to take the call, didn't screen the call, picked up the phone, gave presumably honest answers and didn't hang up when they found out it was a pollster asking about religion) said that.

92% of Americans is in the hundreds of millions of people. This poll has a sample size of 900. There's just a _wee_ difference between those numbers -- the latter being small enough and skewable enough that I wouldn't exactly call it a meaningful representative sample with which to discuss how "the country thinks."

(edited by vsp on 14.10.03 1339)

"Noah is busy playing with his one Lego. He can make it be a brick... or a closed shoebox... or a very large Pez."
-- Kibo
JayJayDean
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: Seattle, WA

Since last post: 2984 days
Last activity: 2562 days
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.19
I feel compelled to try to work in a snide "Do you believe Bill O'Reilly thinks HE's God?" comment, but I can't figure out a witty way to work it in.



“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.

"Your input has been noted.
I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
Leroy
Boudin blanc








Since: 7.2.02

Since last post: 12 days
Last activity: 6 days
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.54
    Originally posted by vsp
    The poll is one thing, but the linked page describing its results is a typical example of misleading writing.

    "Fully 92% of Americans say they believe in God, 85% in heaven and 82% in miracles, according to the latest FOX News poll."


Skeptic magazine had a recent issue detailing the current trends these types of beliefs - I would consider them I much more reliable source than Fox News. I'd have to dig up the issue to see if they break it down politically or not, but they are much more based in general demographic, and less interested in ripping on Democrats (who do deserve it for better reasons than a belief in ESP and UFOs).

As a side note - I highly recommend Michel Shermer's book, "Why People Believe Weird Things". It's a great description of some of these new-agey types of beliefs, and where the logic breaks down. And, unless you are an Ayn Rand fan, it's pretty apolitical. James Randi's books are good as well

(edited by Leroy on 14.10.03 1410)


"It's hard to be a prophet and still make a profit."
- Da Bush Babees

"Finally, a candidate who can explain the current administration's position on civil liberties in the original German."
- Bill Maher on Arnold Schwarzenneger

"You know, I'm a follower of American politics."
- President George W. Bush, 8 Aug 2003
DMC
Liverwurst








Since: 8.1.02
From: Modesto, CA

Since last post: 6919 days
Last activity: 6913 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.78
The stat guys will have to correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a sample of 900 is of sufficient size to accurately represent the American population. (How feasible would a survey be if you set 100,000 respondents as your goal?)

Also, survey researchers have various ways of dealing with people who did not respond, and checking it see if their answers were significantly different from the main population which took part in the survey.

DMC



"Now please don't misunderstand me. Americans are wonderful people. The problem, perhaps, is that they don't always realize that customers sitting at a table in a restaurant might not want to meet yet another wonderful person. They may possibly want to know whether that exotic name on the menu is just another alias for the usual chicken. ...When bright young Brenda bounces up to ask you for the fourth time if everything is ok, there is an overwhelming urge to answer that, yes, everything would be fine if she stayed at the cash desk and chatted to her friends about films and boyfriends. Unfortunately, it's not physically possible. Brenda makes sure you have your mouth full before she asks you, 'Is everything ok?'"

-Beppe Severgnini, *Ciao, America!*
DrDirt
Banger








Since: 8.10.03
From: flyover country

Since last post: 2345 days
Last activity: 2247 days
#11 Posted on
    Originally posted by Nag
    Well, when a large portion of a particular group formulates their arguments on a simple phrase "It's all a conspiracy dude" I don't really find it groundbreaking information that they are more inclined to believe in UFO's. Like yeah, if I were an Alien, my destination on earth would be near an airforce base of the most advanced airforce on earth.

    What I did find surprising that a quarter of the population believe in witches and over a quarter in astrology. That may be in part to growth of the wiccan/goth movement that was so popular with "Disenfranchised" teens of the late 90's. But shit, this 2003 not 1603; and while I can understand and respect societies inherent need to believe in many of the mentioned institutions and concepts, astrology and witches is a bit stretching it.


Actually, I'm surprised it isn't higher. As Girnis and others have pointed out more than a few times, we as a society don't wnat to take responsibilty for our lives and choices. Believing in the stars or witches or whatever is a way of saying "Look it wasn't my fault. It was "X". Scientific truths are not very comforting to most people. Neither is having to say that you are responsible for your own life and decisions.

edit typo

(edited by DrDirt on 14.10.03 1730)


Perception is reality
MoeGates
Boudin blanc








Since: 6.1.02
From: Brooklyn, NY

Since last post: 23 days
Last activity: 22 hours
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.28
900 gives a +/- error rate of 4% for the nation I think. Meaning, essentially, that there is a 95% certainty that the actual number lies somewhere between 4% higher and 4% lower than the polled number.

The thing is, this assumes a perfect representation of the larger group. If Fox News called, for instance, only called Manhattan and Cobb County, GA for this poll, you'd probably see a lower instance of Democrats believing in angles and a higher instance of Republicans believing in angels than in actuality. If, on the other hand, Fox news called only Greenwich, CA and Birmingham, you'd probably get a much higher instance of Democrats believing in angels and Republicans not believing in angels. In skill to polling - why any idiot can't just call people, jot down the answers, and type a formula into a computer - lies in trying to get this representative sample. Or, of course, to skew this representative sample to make the poll come out how the client wants it to.

For more info about margin of error

Click Here (amstat.org)

It's a .pdf. How I got this great info? Typed "margin of error" into google!



"I'm sorry, I didn't think I was going to talk about 'man on dog' with a United States Senator. It's sort of freaking me out."


Associated Press interview with Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), 04-07-2003.
Nate The Snake
Liverwurst








Since: 9.1.02
From: Wichita, Ks

Since last post: 7192 days
Last activity: 6662 days
#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.45
The big problem I have with polls like this is the inability to cover grey areas. Like DMC touched on, "witch" can mean a whole truckload of things to a lot of different people, as can God, magic, extra-terrestrial life, ghosts, and damn near anything that gets lumped into the category of "the unknown".

The idea that a poll like that lumps a person who believes that Casper is living in his underwear drawer together with people who believe in an afterlife and that souls can get "lost" or whatever makes it very difficult to take it seriously.



Kansas-born and deeply ashamed
The last living La Parka Marka

"They that can give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
DrDirt
Banger








Since: 8.10.03
From: flyover country

Since last post: 2345 days
Last activity: 2247 days
#14 Posted on
The numbers they got are accurate. Statistically they are valid. The problem may be with the questions, if there is a problem. If we are honest, how many of us believe in superstitions, jinxes, curses, or whatever.

If you want to take the time to understand this issue, read Carl Sagan's "Demon Haunted World." It's only a couple of hundred pages, easy to read and explains the dangers inherent in refusing to accept reality in favor of things that go bump in the night and the stars guiding your destiny.



Perception is reality
Big Bad
Scrapple








Since: 4.1.02
From: Dorchester, Ontario

Since last post: 1927 days
Last activity: 1496 days
#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.54
Given how much we've heard in the last month about two professional sports teams having their success determined by a goat and an 85-year-old player transaction, this poll doesn't exactly surprise me.



"When this bogus term alternative rock was being thrown at every '70s retro rehash folk group, we were challenging people to new sonic ideas. If some little snotty anarchist with an Apple Mac and an attitude thinks he invented dance music and the big rock group is coming into his territory, [that's] ridiculous." - Bono, 1997
Grimis
Scrapple








Since: 11.7.02
From: MD

Since last post: 4713 days
Last activity: 3167 days
#16 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.29
    Originally posted by Big Bad
    Given how much we've heard in the last month about two professional sports teams having their success determined by a goat and an 85-year-old player transaction, this poll doesn't exactly surprise me.

HA!



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Exactly Doc. We are comparing todays numbers to the ones 5 years ago when the country was the best it has ever been financially. Sorry but there is no way in hell that the economy can always improve. It hasn't gone down much.
- Dahak, Whose Plan is Better? (2004)
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