Authors

• Church Research Institute

Keywords

astrology, christianity, church, complementary therapies, ghosts, homosexuality, religion, religious behaviour, religious beliefs, supernatural

Abstract

The survey studied Finnish opinion on paranormal phenomena, spirituality and religions. Other main themes included religious behaviour, membership in a church or a religious community, and possible reasons for leaving the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.

First, the respondents were asked whether there is truth in none, one or all religions. A number of questions focused on paranormal and supernatural beliefs, covering astrology, UFOs, alternative medicine, future-prediction, communication with the dead, ghosts, dreams, the existence of snowman or the Loch Ness monster. Other questions covered behaviour related to such beliefs, such as consulting a spiritual healer, an astrologer or a psychic, or attending magical rituals or pagan ceremonies, or exercising spiritism or meditative activities (yoga, tai chi) etc.

The survey also investigated membership in a church or other religious community, as well as the self-image of the respondents regarding their religiousness (did they see themselves as religious, spiritual, God-believing, born-again Christians, atheists etc). The respondents were also asked whether they had left the Evangelical Lutheran Church and why.

Religious beliefs were charted with a number of questions, asking the respondents whether they believed in God, Heaven, Hell, angels, Satan and miracles described in the Bible. Two questions explored Bible-reading and praying. Finally, opinions were charted on homosexuality and whether the church should accept same-sex registered partnerships for church members and for priests.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, town or type of municipality of residence, age, basic education, number of persons in the household, monthly income of the household and the respondent, number of times R had moved during the last 10 years, marital status, household composition, economic activity and occupational status of the respondent and the household head, R's mother tongue, employment status and trade union membership, and the economic circumstances of the household.