Irrational beliefs are alive and well in the United States. For instance,
One in five Republican voters believes Barack Obama is the ‘antichrist’ and nearly a third of all Americans think a secret power elite controls the world, according to new research on conspiracy theories.
A survey by the Public Policy Polling group aimed to shed light on the link between political leanings and belief in conspiracy theories. The poll found that:
• 34 percent of Republicans polled believe a New World Order controls the world, compared with 35 percent of independent voters and 15 percent of Democrats.
• 29 percent of US voters believe aliens exist.
• 13 percent of voters think Barack Obama is the anti-Christ, including 22 percent of Romney voters.
More here.
I’m happy for people to believe whatever they want — no skin off my backside. All the same, it can be dispiriting to live in a country whose populace takes to nonsense and disinformation as a fish takes to water.
The survey steered clear of asking about delusional beliefs in various deities, but we know the picture would have been bleak indeed.
[image via Shirtoid]