Authors

• Church Research Institute

Keywords

christianity, church, congregations, fortune-telling, magic, reincarnation, religious beliefs, religious communities, religious groups, religious movements, religious societies, supernatural

Abstract

The survey focused on Finnish perceptions of paranormal phenomena, spirituality and the importance of different congregational activities. The respondents were also asked whether they belonged to any revivalist movements operating within the Evangelic Lutheran Church of Finland.

The survey studied perceptions of supernatural phenomena and beliefs with attitudinal statements relating to ghosts, angels, witchcraft, psychics, UFOs, healing by prayer and yoga, and fortune-telling by astrology, horoscopes, cards, and lines of the palm.

Spirituality was studied by asking the respondents to what extent they agreed with a number of statements relating to UFOs, alternative medicine, astrology, reincarnation, spiritual growth, and meditation.

The respondents also rated the importance of different congregational activities including burial service, church wedding, baptism, confirmation class, work with the elderly and disabled, pastoral care in hospitals, scouting, church service, evangelism, and food banks.

Finally, the respondents were asked whether they belonged to any revivalist movements operating within the Evangelic Lutheran Church (e.g. the Laestadian Movement, Evangelicalism (SLEY), Beseecherism, Pietism, the Fifth Revivalist Movement, the Charismatic Movement). They were also asked whether they considered themselves Christians, Lutherans, religious, believers, born-again Christians, or atheists.

Background variables included respondent's age, gender, municipality of residence, education, and employment status.