A new study shows belief in magic is not fading in modern society, even among people who support science and reason. Source: sciencealert.com.
Belief in Magic Persists Amid Scientific Outlook
Researchers from Baylor University, Carson-Newman University, and American University studied 1,812 U.S. adults. Responses came from online and mail surveys. The data were weighted to match the U.S. adult population.
The study focused on ‘secular rationalism’—a worldview that trusts science and personal judgment over religious institutions. It values reason in moral choices and encourages independent spiritual interpretation.
Participants were asked about three belief types: miracles, magic, and everyday superstitions. Miracles involve divine action. Magic includes ghosts, curses, spirits in objects, talking to the dead, and fortune-telling. Superstitions include avoiding words that might ‘jinx’ a desired outcome.
What Is Secular Rationalism?
Secular rationalism doesn’t mean rejecting religion. Many still believe in God or attend services. But they question traditional teachings and trust personal experience and science more than official doctrine.
For example, someone might go to church weekly but still doubt whether prayer works or if the afterlife exists. This shows science and spirituality can coexist—both shaping personal understanding.
Key Findings on Supernatural Beliefs
- People with high secular rationalism scores were less likely to believe in miracles. This shows a shift away from institutional religious views.
- They were more likely to believe in ghosts, curses, spirits, and fortune-telling. This shows stronger belief in non-divine supernatural ideas.
- Superstitions like avoiding certain phrases to prevent bad luck were also more common among these individuals.
This pattern was especially clear among people who still have religious ties. It means supernatural beliefs can remain in religious communities when individuals value personal judgment over official teachings.
Why This Matters: Faith and Authority
Religious groups often accept miracles but reject practices like talking to the dead or using magic. These are seen as outside doctrine. But individuals who trust their own judgment may still accept such ideas.
As trust in religious institutions drops—due to lack of transparency or relevance—people may turn to personal spiritual experiences. Some of these include supernatural elements. This reflects a growing trend: individual spirituality over group doctrine.
Researcher Ruiqian Li noted that personal faith differs from institutional authority. When people prioritize their own judgment, they are more likely to believe in ghosts or curses—even if those ideas don’t fit official teachings.
Limitations of the Study
The survey didn’t track how beliefs develop over time. Some groups were small, limiting the strength of certain conclusions.
There’s no evidence that scientific reasoning causes magical thinking. The study didn’t test scientific knowledge or reasoning skills. So it can’t say belief in magic comes from misunderstanding science.
Results only cover U.S. adults. Cultural and regional differences may affect how beliefs are held. The findings may not apply globally.
What This Means for Understanding Belief
Two people in the same church can hold very different views on ghosts or curses. This shows belief isn’t just about religion. It’s shaped by how people blend science, faith, and personal experience.
Belief in the supernatural doesn’t depend on religious identity. It can come from a personal relationship with science and the unknown. People interpret the world through both facts and personal feelings.
As individuals grow more independent, they may hold beliefs that mix science and personal spirituality. This doesn’t contradict science. It expands it by including human perception and emotion.
Future research should look beyond religious affiliation. It should examine how people combine science, faith, and personal judgment.
The research was published in the journal Social Forces.
It shows that questioning religious authority doesn’t mean rejecting supernatural ideas. Instead, it may lead to a more personal, individualized spiritual worldview—one that values personal judgment over institutional rules.
For example, a house with echoing footsteps may still feel unsettling—even if the scientific explanation is sound.
Belief in the unseen may not vanish, even in a world shaped by science.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Belief in Magic Is Not Disappearing in The Modern World, Study Shows. Via original publisher. Image source
