Secular Rationalism Linked to Magical Belief
A 2025 Baylor Religion Survey analysis of 1,812 U.S. adults finds the outlook tied to higher magic and superstition scores.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Paranormal
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Sociologists analyzing 2025 Baylor Religion Survey responses from 1,812 U.S. adults found that people embracing secular rationalism scored higher on magic and superstition and lower on miracle belief. Gallup collected the answers online and by mail between January and March 2025.
Why it matters
The findings challenge the assumption that a science-centered worldview necessarily excludes supernatural beliefs, showing the pattern persisted even among people who kept religious ties. The results suggest belief in the paranormal can coexist with rational, secular outlooks in the United States.
The analysis weighted responses from 1,812 adults to better reflect the U.S. adult population. Magic scores covered beliefs in ghosts, curses, spirits inhabiting objects, communicating with the dead, and predicting the future.
The players
Baylor Religion Survey
A long-running academic survey of American religious beliefs and practices conducted by Baylor University's Association of Religion Data Archives and widely used by sociologists of religion.
Gallup
A global analytics and polling firm that collected the survey responses online and by mail for the 2025 study.
The details
Researchers measured magic, miracles, and superstition as separate categories. Secular rationalism combines the view that science is the only way to understand the world with reason-based moral decisions, independent interpretation of spiritual teachings, and little interest in religious discussion.
Timeline
January to March 2025: Gallup collects survey responses from U.S. adults.
2025: Baylor Religion Survey is conducted.
Health Landscape
The analysis extends the Baylor Religion Survey, a long-running measure of American religious belief, by testing whether secular outlooks relate to supernatural belief. It adds to a growing body of research on how belief systems overlap rather than sit in opposition.
The findings suggest that many Americans who identify with a rational, science-based outlook may still hold magical or superstitious beliefs. Readers who keep religious ties may notice similar mixes of belief among friends and family.
The takeaway
Holding a secular, science-minded worldview does not rule out superstitious thinking, and the study suggests the two can coexist in the same person. Readers can treat their own mixed beliefs as common rather than contradictory.
Further reading
Explore more paranormal coverage on how belief in the supernatural shows up in everyday American life.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScienceAlert.
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