Paranormal
Paranormal
In recent years, an avid interest in the paranormal has developed. The paranormal is often defined as that which is “beyond what is considered normal”.
However, many believe that the paranormal is unexplained phenomenon that has no scientific explanation that is accepted by those that experience it and/or research it.
This particular term was made official somewhere between the years of 1915 and 1920. Individuals that study the paranormal agree that the paranormal is that which science currently lacks the ability to measure and/or explain in any way whatsoever.
Paranormal events and unexplained phenomenon as told by individuals throughout history are found in pop culture stories, personal recollections, and even in urban legends and common folklore. However, stories and events relating to the paranormal have also been documented by organizations that are considered to be part of the scientific based community.
One such organization is in the United States. It is identified as the “United States National Science Foundation”. Individuals that study the paranormal agree that the situations, events, and circumstances that are familiar to us are considered to be the “norm”. Situations, events, and circumstances that are not commonly typically in our world classifies as the paranormal.
Many individuals believe that the paranormal is the study of ghosts and other spiritual entities. While it is true that ghosts and spirits do hold a large amount of research on the subject, other entities are also considered to be paranormal. Ghosts, spirits, demons, poltergeists, demonic possessions, ectoplasm, extraterrestrial life, UFOs, and animals that are considered to be part of the field of study known as cryptozoology all play a role in the paranormal.
There are many different approaches to investigating the world of the paranormal. These include, but are not limited to, parapsychology, and scientific investigations that attempt to debunk the stories and events of the paranormal.
Paranormal
- A 1996 Gallup opinion poll estimated that 71% of the people in the United States suspected that the government was covering up information and facts regarding UFOs. A 2002 Roper opinion poll conducted for the Sci Fi channel documented that 56% believed UFOs were real craft and 48% that alien beings had frequented the Planet.
- A 2001 Gallup Opinion poll determined that the general public embraced the following: 54% of people believed in psychic/spiritual restorative healing, 42% believed in haunted houses, 41% believed in satanic possession, 36% in telepathy, 25% in reincarnation, and 15% in channeling. A study by Jeffrey S. Levin, associate professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk discovered that over 2/3 of the U.S. populace claimed having at least one mystical encounter.
- A 2001 National Science Foundation study determined that 9% of people polled believed astrology was scientific, while 31 % thought it was to some degree scientific. Approximately 32% of Americans surveyed believed that several numbers were lucky, while 46% of Europeans agreed with that claim. Approximately 60% of all individuals questioned believed in some form of Extra-sensory perception (ESP) and 30% thought that “some of the unidentified flying objects that have been reported are really space vehicles from other civilizations.”
