Skepticism Polls: Register Your Opinion on Paranormal Claims
There are a lot of paranormal and supernatural claims out there - psychics, astrologers, alien abductions, alternative medicines, ghosts, life after death, and much more. Is there anything at all to any of these claims? Are people deluded? Is it all just a matter of wishful thinking? Might these beliefs be modern substitutes for traditional religions?
Are Near-Death Experiences Evidence of Life After Death?
Proponents of the existence of souls and an afterlife like to claim that their ideas are supported, in part, by the fact that there are no scientific explanations for near-death experiences. The truth, though, is that there are lots of potential causes of these experiences, all of them natural. Before people start insisting on supernatural causes they should eliminate the natural options first.
Proponents of the existence of souls and an afterlife like to claim that their ideas are supported, in part, by the fact that there are no scientific explanations for near-death experiences. The truth, though, is that there are lots of potential causes of these experiences, all of them natural. Before people start insisting on supernatural causes they should eliminate the natural options first.
Are Mormons Right that Ancient Hebrews Traveled to the Americas?
According to devout believers, the Book of Mormon is a record of the early history of the American Indian descendants of Lehi, a Hebrew who migrated with his family to the New World around 600 B.C. Modern science and DNA tests have debunked this as thoroughly as anyone could want, but Mormons continue to believe it anyway. Do you think that there's any truth to it?
According to devout believers, the Book of Mormon is a record of the early history of the American Indian descendants of Lehi, a Hebrew who migrated with his family to the New World around 600 B.C. Modern science and DNA tests have debunked this as thoroughly as anyone could want, but Mormons continue to believe it anyway. Do you think that there's any truth to it?
Would You Submit to a Polygraph Test for a Job Interview?
People have faith in the ability of polygraph machines (more commonly known as lie detectors) to help police find the truth in criminal investigations. In reality, most polygraph tests are done for government security screenings, even though this has been outlawed in the private sector. According to a report from National Academy of Sciences, that's the most unreliable use for them.
People have faith in the ability of polygraph machines (more commonly known as lie detectors) to help police find the truth in criminal investigations. In reality, most polygraph tests are done for government security screenings, even though this has been outlawed in the private sector. According to a report from National Academy of Sciences, that's the most unreliable use for them.
Has The Jesus Seminar Modernized Or Undermined Belief?
The Jesus Seminar is the modern culmination of more than two centuries of academic work on who the 'historical' Jesus really was. There are currently more than 200 fellows in the Jesus Seminar, which meets twice a year. Their conclusions are reported often, but many Christians disagree quite strongly with them. Has the Jesus Seminar been a force for good in Christianity?
The Jesus Seminar is the modern culmination of more than two centuries of academic work on who the 'historical' Jesus really was. There are currently more than 200 fellows in the Jesus Seminar, which meets twice a year. Their conclusions are reported often, but many Christians disagree quite strongly with them. Has the Jesus Seminar been a force for good in Christianity?
How Historically Accurate Is The Bible?
Quite a few Christians believe that the Bible is 100% accurate in every detail - not a single error or contradiction can be found in the text. Others believe that many allegedly historical passages are only metaphorical and that the authors, being fallible, made mistakes from time to time. Which perspective do you suppose is the most reasonable?
Quite a few Christians believe that the Bible is 100% accurate in every detail - not a single error or contradiction can be found in the text. Others believe that many allegedly historical passages are only metaphorical and that the authors, being fallible, made mistakes from time to time. Which perspective do you suppose is the most reasonable?
Should We Have Good Reasons to Think Our Beliefs True?
Bertrand Russell wrote that "it is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatever for supposing it true." It seems as though few people heed such advice. Do you think that it is a good principle to adopt or not?
Bertrand Russell wrote that "it is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatever for supposing it true." It seems as though few people heed such advice. Do you think that it is a good principle to adopt or not?
Do You Play the Lottery?
State lotteries are very popular forms of gambling - they are, in fact, one of the only forms of government run gambling that exists. Some people reject lotteries on account of the low odds of winning. Others defy the odds and play anyway, dreaming of winning a fortune. What about you?
State lotteries are very popular forms of gambling - they are, in fact, one of the only forms of government run gambling that exists. Some people reject lotteries on account of the low odds of winning. Others defy the odds and play anyway, dreaming of winning a fortune. What about you?
Do You Believe Any Paranormal or Supernatural Claims?
Just because a person is an atheist doesn't mean that they don't believe in things like astrology, reincarnation, ghosts, psychics, and similar things. There are a lot of things supernatural and paranormal that a person can believe without also believing in any gods. Do you believe in any of these things?
Just because a person is an atheist doesn't mean that they don't believe in things like astrology, reincarnation, ghosts, psychics, and similar things. There are a lot of things supernatural and paranormal that a person can believe without also believing in any gods. Do you believe in any of these things?
Why Do People Believe in the Paranormal?
Belief in things like astrology, psychics, and reincarnation remain popular even as tradition religion has been declining in popularity. A lot of reasons have been offered for this, but what factors do you think influence people to believe in such things?
Belief in things like astrology, psychics, and reincarnation remain popular even as tradition religion has been declining in popularity. A lot of reasons have been offered for this, but what factors do you think influence people to believe in such things?
Does Religion Prevent Rational Thought?
One common criticism of religion is how it so often seems to contradict or inhibit rational, logical thought. Too few religions make a virtue of rationality while many regard blind faith as virtuous. Is there something inherent in religion itself that serves as a barrier to reason, rationality, and logic?
One common criticism of religion is how it so often seems to contradict or inhibit rational, logical thought. Too few religions make a virtue of rationality while many regard blind faith as virtuous. Is there something inherent in religion itself that serves as a barrier to reason, rationality, and logic?
Do Prayers Help with Health and Healing?
Some people believe that religious faith is key to maintaining good health. They even argue that not only do prayers help those who pray, but that prayers can help speed the healing of others who are sick. Some studies suggest that this might be true. Do you believe it?
Some people believe that religious faith is key to maintaining good health. They even argue that not only do prayers help those who pray, but that prayers can help speed the healing of others who are sick. Some studies suggest that this might be true. Do you believe it?
Are Psychics Genuine?
There are a lot of so-called psychics out there who claim the ability to read minds, see the future, and other such abilities. They can make a lot of money from believers, but there is any real truth to their claims? Do such powers really exist?
There are a lot of so-called psychics out there who claim the ability to read minds, see the future, and other such abilities. They can make a lot of money from believers, but there is any real truth to their claims? Do such powers really exist?
Do You Believe in Reincarnation?
Reincarnation plays an important role in many religions - even atheistic religions like some forms of Buddhism. If reincarnation is true, then our lives don't really end with our physical deaths - but is there any evidence or any good reason to believe that this is so?
Reincarnation plays an important role in many religions - even atheistic religions like some forms of Buddhism. If reincarnation is true, then our lives don't really end with our physical deaths - but is there any evidence or any good reason to believe that this is so?
Do Ghosts Exist?
Many people believe that ghosts exist - they even claim to have encountered ghosts personally. The alleged existence of ghosts is often cited as evidence that there is life after death and that there is more to us than our physical bodies. Do you agree, or are ghosts just a myth?
Many people believe that ghosts exist - they even claim to have encountered ghosts personally. The alleged existence of ghosts is often cited as evidence that there is life after death and that there is more to us than our physical bodies. Do you agree, or are ghosts just a myth?
Does Astrology Work?
In one form or another, astrology has been around for thousands of years. Billions around the world believe in it and use it daily - even making major life decisions based upon what astrologers tell them. But does astrology really work?
In one form or another, astrology has been around for thousands of years. Billions around the world believe in it and use it daily - even making major life decisions based upon what astrologers tell them. But does astrology really work?
Alien Abduction Claims
There are a lot of people who claim that they have been abducted by aliens for strange, sometimes sexual, experiments - and even more who believe these reports. Others, however, are very skeptical about the claims because there just isn't any evidence for them but lots of reasons to disbelieve.
There are a lot of people who claim that they have been abducted by aliens for strange, sometimes sexual, experiments - and even more who believe these reports. Others, however, are very skeptical about the claims because there just isn't any evidence for them but lots of reasons to disbelieve.