One in three Poles believe in the power of spells
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
27.10.2011 14:32
According to a new survey, half of the Polish population believes in clairvoyance, 39 percent in telepathy and 34 percent that certain people have the power to cast spells on others.
The research by the Public Opinion Research Centre (CBOS) also finds that 39 percent believe there are intelligent civilizations in the universe beyond our own, while 17 percent believe that UFOs have paid a visit to Planet Earth at some time, or other.
Lingering folk superstitions also remain prominent in the Polish psyche, with a third of those polled believing in lucky charms; and some 29 percent think that certain days are inauspicious, such as a Friday falling on the 13th of the month.
Where religion is concerned, although the vast majority of Poles identify themselves as Roman Catholic, 87 percent said that all religions were good, provided they helped people to lead good lives.
Meanwhile, 70 percent of respondents said that regardless of how God was named in the world's religions, ultimately it was all the same deity.
The poll was carried out by the Public Opinion Research Centre (CBOS) from a sample of 1077 adult Poles.
Poland is not alone, however, in having a high number of its population holding irrational beliefs.
According to a 2010 EU study of over 30,000 people from member states, two out of five Europeans say they are superstitious, with 40 percent of respondents saying they believe in lucky numbers. (nh/pg)
Source: IAR